Cooking is difficult when you do not have the right tools. Even if you do, you need to use them in the right environment so can wax paper go in the oven? We will know the answer in this post.
We are all used to cooking with metal or steel utensils as they are durable and heat-resistant. There are also products made out of minerals and stones that can be used for cooking.
However, we rarely see paper go inside ovens or grills when cooking. Why? Well, first, the paper does not really go well with heat as it is a very flammable and weak material.
They also do not retain heat when you put them in chambers so they do not actually help in cooking. However, there are some papers that are made just for cooking in high temperatures.
Parchment paper is one example of cookware that is made from paper. It does help in cooking food as it catches most of the dirt and food residuals to keep the cooking process clean.
Wax paper, on the other hand, is a type of paper that is also used in cooking. However, it is mainly used in preparation for the food and not in the actual cooking process itself.
It does have similar properties when you compare it to parchment paper but then, it does not really do well with heat. So people are asking whether or not it can be used in ovens.
That is not a simple question since other users will debate that there is no actual flame in the oven so the wax paper will do great. However, there is a simple answer to that question.
So before we figure out whether or not you can use wax paper in the oven, let us see the components of the paper to understand how well it does in heated chambers.
What Is Wax Paper?
Think of it as tissue paper that is wrapped with wax. That is essentially what wax paper is as it is a thin layer of paper that was coated with another thin layer of wax on each of its sides.
This type of paper is usually used for preparing food such as baked goods and meat. The wax is forced inside the pores of the paper and then layered with another smoothening wax on top.
That means that it provides a non-stick coating for you to put your food on. The wax is, of course, food-grade and food-safe which makes the paper great for any type of food you want.
According to the USDA, the proper way of creating wax paper is to force the wax into the small pores of the tissue paper. Then it should be layered with another layer of wax afterward.
That means that even though the wax paper is made out of tissue paper with small pores, you will actually feel it smoothened and the pores will disappear once it is processed properly.
The standard procedure when making wax paper is to coat it thoroughly. Triple-waxed tissue papers are the best ones since they keep the moisture out of the surface for easy preparation.
When To Use Wax Paper?
Wax paper can be used in so many different ways especially when cooking. However, the best way to use it is when you are still preparing the food and you do not want it to stick.
Kneading Dough
So an example of great uses of wax paper is when preparing baked goods. You will be able to roll the dough smoothly without it sticking onto the table or the pizza peel while kneading it.
So for example, if your dough has the right consistency and you do not want any excess flour to be added. You can use wax paper to knead the dough without the excess flour.
See, some people might add too much flour on the table when kneading the dough which then affects the consistency of the dough. So it is best to do it using wax paper over the table.
Storing Food
Since the wax paper does not absorb moisture, you can use it to wrap your food with and then store it. The dough is no exception and you can refrigerate it while it is wrapped in wax paper.
If you want to keep the juices on the leftover meat, you can also let it cool down and then wrap it with wax paper before putting it in the fridge. This will help the meat store the juices in it.
See, the wax paper blocks the moisture from the outside which means that there will be no additional moisture to the food in storage. It also blocks the moisture inside to keep the food juicy.
Covering Countertops
Wax paper can be used in order to keep the working space clean. You will no longer need to keep the countertop clean by wiping it every now and then when food spills on it.
Lay the wax paper over the countertop and prepare any type of food on it. That way, all the excess residuals will be caught by the wax paper and you can easily collect them for cleaning.
Since the wax paper is moisture-resistant, you can use it again. See, the food residuals will not stick to the paper so you can easily wipe it with a cloth and prepare another set of food.
So there is no need to replace the wax paper every time that you finish one recipe on it. It can be reused to limit your waste and then put it in the garbage once you are done with it.
Can You Use Wax Paper In The Oven?
People have been arguing about this and although it is a complicated question, the one and simple answer to it is NO. You cannot use wax paper in the oven to cook anything in it.
Yes, the wax paper may be moisture resistant but it is not heat-resistant. Think of what happens when you put wax near a fire, it melts, and the same thing happens with the wax paper.
See, when you put the wax paper in the oven, the wax will start to melt and although it will be safe for the food, it can cause a lot of damage and problems when you do this.
Wax paper can catch fire when the wax melts. If you want to save your food from getting burned by the paper, then never use wax paper when baking in the oven or on any cookware.
Preparation of food is okay as the wax paper functions just like parchment paper. However, when there is heat involved, keep the wax paper away from the cookware that you are using.
What To Use Instead
Aside from wax paper, there are a lot of options that you can use if you want your food to be cooked with the benefits that you can get from wax paper’s non-stick components.
Parchment Paper
The most common type of paper that is used in cooking is parchment paper. It is both moisture- and heat-resistant which means that you can use it in ovens and even over direct heat.
Parchment paper is great for baking food as it does not let the food stick to the cookware. You can use it as a utensil liner so that the food will stay out of the surface while being cooked.
It is treated with silicone which means that it can retain up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit or even more without actually burning up. So use parchment paper when baking instead of wax paper.
BeesWrap
This is not necessarily a replacement for parchment paper or wax paper when cooking but it is the more eco-friendly option. It is a type of paper that can be used multiple times.
You can use the BeesWrap when preparing food as it has the same non-stick feature as wax paper and parchment paper. It washable so you can use it again and again until it wears out.
It is also biodegradable so when you throw it away, it will not make a huge impact on the environment. In fact, you can throw it in your compost as it will decay eventually.
Conclusion
When it comes to cooking, you would want to be as tidy and as precise as you want. Preparation is as important as the cooking process itself so make sure you have the right tools.
Wax paper is great for preparing any type of food as it will help you clean up the mess. It catches all the dirt and you can simply put it in the garbage can once you are done preparing.
However, never put it near the heat as the wax will melt and the paper will burn. So do not use wax paper in ovens, grills, or any type of cooking appliance when cooking!
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