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So you’re in the market for a cake decorating turntable.
Maybe it’s your very first purchase as a beginner baker. Perhaps you’re a professional looking to upgrade. Or maybe you’ve been told that a cake decorating turntable is a must-have for you, but you have no idea what that is, let alone what to look for when buying one.
Whatever the case, it can get quite confusing trying to work out what is the best turntable for your needs. Get ready to have your tables turned as we introduce you to the perfect product to make your dessert decorating a piece of cake!
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This handy little guide will tell you exactly what a turntable is and why you need one, as well as telling you all about the best cake decorating turntables on the market.
There’s also a useful buyers’ guide that shows you what to look out for when choosing a turntable, as well as an FAQ to answer all your cake decorating needs.
So, what is a cake decorating turntable we hear you ask?
This wondrous piece of baking equipment looks like a cake stand from afar. However, it has the added benefit of having a flat surface that spins, making it a must-have for cake decorators as it enables you to easily ice and decorate your cake without having to physically maneuver it.
Sounds good, right? Keeping reading to get the scoop on the best cake decorating turntables there are.
In a hurry?
Don’t you worry, we’ve got you.
Do you have an urgent cake decorating need? Or maybe you just don’t have the time to read the whole article.
Look no further because we have specially selected our top pick ready for you to buy it immediately.
Kootek’s Rotating Cake Turntable is the product you need!
- It is a very generous 11 inches which makes it perfect for anything from single-tiered chocolate cakes to huge, multiple-tiered iced occasion cakes.
- The plain white, durable plastic means it looks professional and is very lightweight.
- It can be disassembled for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe for when you are pressed for time.
- It rotates fully at 360° both clockwise and counter-clockwise and even comes with some cake decorating tools to make sure your cake is decorated to perfection!
Top Picks for Cake Decorating Turntables
Kootek 11-inch Rotating Cake Turntable
Our first choice just had to be this Kootek 11-inch Rotating Cake Turntable.
It’s a bestseller and we can see why! The stand rotates both clockwise and counter-clockwise, making it ideal for left-handed and right-handed chefs alike. It is made from a very lightweight, durable plastic meaning that it will be hardwearing and easy to use.
The non-slip base should ease the worries of even the most butter-fingered baker. It also includes some cake decorating tools such as spatulas and icing smoothers which are the basics for any budding chef. This makes it perfect for beginners or even the pros among us.
PROS
- Lightweight, durable plastic material
- Non-slip base for stability
- 360° rotation clockwise and counterclockwise
- Can be disassembled for cleaning and is dishwasher safe
- Comes with cake decorating tools
CONS
- No locking mechanism to hold it in place, but it is sturdy enough that it does not rotate when in use
Kootek Aluminium Alloy Revolving Cake Stand
Kootek has managed to make it on to the list twice, this time with their Aluminium Alloy Revolving Cake Stand.
At 12 inches it is a worthy competitor of other brands on the market due to its generous size. The heavy-duty material means it is durable, as well as ensuring your cake has excellent stability and to prevent any slips whilst using. The bottom is also coated with rubber to further its stability.
It rotates both clockwise and counter-clockwise, ensuring you can decorate every inch of your baked treat! It also comes with a number of decorating tools to further improve your cake.
PROS
- Durable and heavy-duty material made from aluminum alloy
- Excellent stability due to non-slip surfaces and bottom
- Rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for ease of movement
- Decorating tools included
- Easy to clean via hand washing
- Professional appearance due to the shine of the material
CONS
- Not suitable for the dishwasher
- No locking mechanism
Ohuhu Aluminium Revolving Cake Turntable
Ohuhu’s Aluminium Revolving Cake Turntable comes in at a very generous 12 inches in diameter, so it’s perfect for those big bakes.
The sleek aluminum style is not only durable but also looks super professional for any events. Thanks to the stainless steel bearings, it has excellent ease of movement allowing for consistency rather than jerkiness. The base of the turntable is 7.3 inches as well as having an anti-slip bottom – no cake catastrophes here!
Like other brands, Ohuhu’s Turntable comes with a great little decorating kit that includes spatulas and decorating combs to help turn you into an icing pro.
PROS
- Generous size for multiple tiered cakes
- Sturdy aluminum for durability and professional look
- Easy, smooth rotation
- Non-slip grooved surface for the cake
- Non-slip silicone underneath to keep it in place
- Extra cake decorating tools
- Washes well with warm soapy water
CONS
- No locking mechanism but due to its sturdiness it does not cause issues
- Not recommended for use in the dishwasher as it could dull the shine of the material
Wilton Cake Decorating Turntable
Another popular choice is the Wilton Cake Decorating Turntable. This baking gadget is the main event of the cake decorating kit of dreams.
Wilton, a leading name in the cooking industry, have devised a kit full of icing bags, decorating tips and so much more. The turntable itself tilts at 18 different angles, making it the perfect buy for anyone who wants to decorate with detailed designs.
It comes in at just under 12 inches in diameter and can hold up to 2.5kg weighted cake due to the hard-wearing plastic. It can also be easily taken apart to be hand-washed or put through the dishwasher.
PROS
- Fully tiltable for hard to reach areas
- Dishwasher safe and easy to pull apart for storage and cleaning
- Locking mechanism so it can stay put when serving or working on an intricate design
- Ease of movement due to the rotation
- Lightweight plastic material
CONS
- Not as durable as some other products due to being plastic
- The turning speed is not as smooth and fast as others
Ateco Revolving Cake Decorating Stand
Ateco’s Revolving Cake Decorating Stand has a very sturdy cast iron bottom to ensure it stays firmly where it is put.
The bottom is also non-slip, so even on the smoothest of kitchen worktops, your cake will be safe. The cake stand is aluminum and comes with a removable and reusable non-slip pad for extra safety. At 12 inches in diameter, it is suitable for all cakes and desserts.
The rotation of the turntable is smooth, ensuring ease of moment for those trickier spots when decorating.
PROS
- Very smooth, easy rotation
- Sturdy cast iron bottom for stability
- Professional appearance due to materials used
- Removable non-slip, textured surface for the cake
- Generous size
- Non-slip bottom
CONS
- No locking mechanism
- Not recommended for the dishwasher or total water submersion
Best Cake Decorating Turntables Buying Guide
There are a number of things you should consider when choosing the best cake decorating turntable, and as we already know, the choice can be overwhelming.
This handy guide will be your best friend when it comes to making your purchase as we will tell you exactly what to look for, as well as what makes a cake decorating turntable the best.
Ease of movement
Possibly one of the most important factors to consider, because if you are buying a turntable you really do want it to, y’ know, turn! You definitely don’t want your turntable to be stiff or seize up.
Look for a cake decorating turntable that can move freely and easily, preferably with a 360° rotation that goes clockwise and counter-clockwise. A solid cake stand or a turntable that locks when you don’t want it to can make your cake decorating much more difficult.
Speaking of locks, a locking mechanism is another consideration to make when purchasing your perfect cake decorating turntable.
Whilst you don’t want a turntable that locks randomly, it can be very useful to have the option of locking it when you need to, especially for those trickier designs that have you piping icing on one section for hours!
This locking mechanism will also be ideal for when you come to present your cake later on. You can just pop the lock on and let the cake wow everyone, without worrying that it will start spinning on its own!
Sturdiness and Stability
Every cake decorators nightmare is a toppling tier! You haven’t felt fear until you’ve almost knocked your beautiful decorated three-tier occasion cake onto the ground. To ensure this does not happen, you should look into buying the most sturdy, stable, and reliable turntable available.
Luckily this is not difficult given the wonderful choices listed above. Some of the turntables out there are made from a very sturdy, durable material such as aluminum, steel, and cast iron.
These materials certainly ensure your product will be hardwearing and able to withstand even the heaviest of cakes. Even the plastic cake decorating turntables on the market are generally very high quality and hardwearing, with sturdy bottoms.
You should keep in mind that no matter how heavy the bottom of the cake stand is, it can still slip, therefore looking for a stand with an anti-slip bottom is recommended. This could come in the form of a rubber mat that has been stuck onto it, or be from a textured coating that has been applied.
Many brands also offer a non-slip mat to put between the cake and the top of the turntable, too. This is another convenient add on that would improve the sturdiness and stability of your cake decorating turntable.
Size
The size of your cake decorating turntable will generally depend on your own personal requirements. Typically, cake decorating turntables are around 11 or 12 inches. This allows ample room for those huge bottom tiers of your show-stopping sweet treats.
In terms of height, for those occasion cakes, such as for a wedding or birthday you may want a slightly taller turntable to really show it off. The taller cake decorating turntables can also be used as a cake stand!
If you are using the turntable purely for convenience when decorating, you may find that a shorter turntable does the trick for you.
It is recommended that you do not choose one that is too short so that you can easily decorate on your kitchen surface without having to slouch and bend too much. Another option that would solve this is getting an adjustable stand that can be altered depending on your needs.
Easy to clean?
Here is where you need to decide whether you want a cake decorating turntable that can be disassembled for cleaning and storage, or whether you are happy to have one that does not come apart.
You may also want to consider whether you need your cake decorating turntable to be dishwasher safe, or whether you are happy to hand wash it.
You will likely find that all cake decorating turntable have materials that clean very easily by handwashing and that there are some, particularly plastic products, that can be dismantled and popped in your dishwasher.
It is a personal choice and there is no one option that is better than the other. Typically the cake decorating turntables with more intricate designs made from aluminum or cast iron don’t tend to be disassemblable – this is because they generally can double up as a professional-looking cake stand for events.
This does not mean to say that it will not be easy to clean, it just might be slightly more difficult to pop into your dishwasher and may rely on hand washing instead.
Appearance
We touched on the topic of appearance when discussing how easy a cake decorating turntable should be to clean, however, it should also be one of the main considerations when buying one.
The appearance of a cake decorating turntable will wholly depend on your personal requirements. If you want your product to double up as a perfectly presentable cake stand, then you may want to go for a cake decorating turntable that is made from a professional-looking material such as aluminum, cast iron, or high-quality white plastic.
Some professionals make the point of choosing a plain cake decorating turntable so as not to take away from the marvel that is their cakey creation. However, if you prefer something with a design that is your choice.
The appearance may be less important if the sole use of your cake decorating turntable is to make it easier to decorate.
Hopefully, our handy Buying Guide has set you up to buy the Best Cake Decorating Turntable around, but don’t worry if you have more questions, they should be answered below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cake decorating turntable?
Whether you are a complete newbie to the baking world or a seasoned professional who has been decorating cakes all their life, there is no denying that a cake decorating turntable will vastly improve your tasks.
The ease of movement it gives you when icing, piping, and decorating is far superior to constantly bending yourself and carefully trying to move your cake.
So, to answer the question – we really do think that a cake decorating turntable is a necessity for all budding bakers.
How long should you wait before decorating a cake?
We recommend that you do not start decorating your cake until it is completely cool. The time this takes varies based on a number of factors such as room temperature, size of the cake, and whether it is on a cooling rack or still in the tin.
This can take up to 2 or 3 hours. As tempting as it is to want to get stuck right into the icing (get it, because the icing is sticky?), decorating a cake while it is still warm spells disaster.
Should I refrigerate my cake before decorating it?
Our top tip for extra smooth icing is to apply a crumb coating of icing (this is a super-thin coating of icing used to make sure all the crumbs stick down and ensure smoothness) to a completely cooled, room-temperature cake.
When the crumb coating is applied it can then be refrigerated for at least 1 or 2 hours, or even overnight if you have the time. Make sure you have plenty of room in your refrigerator beforehand for the cake and turntable.
When you are ready to decorate it completely simply remove the crumb-coated cake from the refrigerator and proceed. The extra step of refrigeration will make sure your decorating process is crumb-free, smooth, and that the end result is a professional, perfectly iced showstopper!