Plastic seems to be impossible to get away from in this day and age. It’s everywhere from the containers we drink out of to how we store our food. Not all of the plastic containers on the market are safe to use for food storage.
Finding a safe option seems impossible, but there are actually great alternatives available. One of the most tried and true methods is wrapping your food in wax paper.
It has been used for years to store meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. There are many reasons to choose wax paper for your storage needs.
But is it safe? The idea of storing food around wax seems like it would cause some safety concerns. Keep reading to find out if wax paper is safe and why you should choose it!
The answer is simple, wax paper is completely safe for storing food. It is ideal for storing cold, frozen, or room temperature foods. However, for hot foods it’s best to use parchment paper or aluminum foil, because the wax can melt into the food. Furthermore, wax paper is great for many other things around the house. With all of the different ways you can use it, it should be a staple in anyone’s household!
Can Wax Paper Be Used For Food Storage?
Wax paper is made from coating both sides of a thin tissue paper with melted wax. It is flexible and easy to fold around your food, or for whatever project you need it for.
It is a popular choice for food storage because it’s non-stick with most foods. This is why it’s ideal for storing desserts, cheeses, and candy.
The best part is that wax paper doesn’t have a taste or smell. You never have to worry about it passing on any unwanted flavors into your food.
What Foods Should Not Be Stored In Wax Paper?
It seems like the possibilities are endless when it comes to storing food in wax paper, but there are definitely things you should look out for.
Wax paper isn’t temperature resistant, so you shouldn’t use it for cooking or baking. The wax can melt or even catch fire, so be careful not to use it in the oven.
Since wax paper shouldn’t be used with high temperatures, you should be careful before using it to store hot foods. Always let foods cool down before wrapping them in wax paper.
If you store foods that are too hot in wax paper, the wax can melt into your food, which wouldn’t be pleasant.
Is the Wax Itself Toxic?
There are two different types of wax that are commonly used to make wax paper: paraffin and soybean wax. Many people wonder if either of these waxes are considered toxic.
Paraffin wax is not considered toxic, but not all types of paraffin wax are considered to be food-safe. Some reports state that it can release toxic chemicals when melted – all the more reason not to use wax paper around heat.
Soybean wax is considered to be a more natural and safe option. Though some manufacturers use additional ingredients to create their soybean wax, pure soybean wax is considered the safest option.
Why Choose Wax Paper
With all of the food storage options available, you may be wondering why you’d choose wax paper to store food. It is a cheap and easily disposable storage option, plus it doesn’t take up much room in your cabinets.
Wax paper is ideal for food storage because it is water and odor resistant. You won’t have to worry about moisture getting into your food, or unwanted odors changing the taste.
Because of it’s non-stick surface, it is perfect for storing pastries or candy. Plus it will look great if you wrap food for a gift!
Why Is It Becoming More Popular?
Once wax paper became widely available outside of butchers or delis, people started integrating it into their home. The popularity of wax paper comes largely from it’s versatility and how eco-friendly it is.
Making the switch to wax paper can reduce your waste significantly in the long-term. More and more people are making the switch to items like wax paper to help reduce their carbon footprint.
Does It Keep Foods Fresh For Longer?
One of the biggest benefits to choosing wax paper is that it is moisture resistant. So juicy foods will stay moist, crunchy foods won’t get soggy, and you won’t have to worry about anything leaking.
Wrapping prepared fruits and vegetables in wax paper will keep moisture and air out as well, which will keep them fresh for a few days in the fridge. Some find that using wax paper will actually slow down their ripening rates.
Wax paper will keep your food tasting fresh for a short period of time. For instance, you can keep a sandwich wrapped in wax in the refrigerator for up to two days. Or you can store meats wrapped in wax paper in the freezer for up to a few months.
While it won’t keep food fresh forever, it will hopefully help keep it fresh for as long as you need it to.
Freezing Food In Wax Paper
Wax paper is actually perfect for storing foods in the freezer. It’s a great choice to store bacon, steak, or cuts of chicken between wax paper so they don’t stick together.
While it’s safe to store foods in wax paper, you should always date the items to ensure they’re not stored for too long. Wax paper won’t keep your items fresh for a long time, and should ideally only be used for a few months.
Baking With Wax Paper
Although wax paper looks and feels similar to parchment paper, it is not safe to use in the oven for baking. That doesn’t mean it can’t be involved in the baking process at all.
You can actually use wax paper to line your counters with before kneading dough or rolling out cookie dough. And it can be used to wrap things like pie crust or cookie dough to place it in the freezer.
It’s nice to know that although you can’t bake with it, you can still find other uses for it in the kitchen!
Is It The Safest Choice?
Wax paper has always been popular, but with the rise of plastic it isn’t used as often in most households. While plastic is convenient, it isn’t as safe as wax paper.
Wax paper does not have the same chemical risk of plastic, which makes it a much safer choice for your health. The only danger from wax paper comes from if you accidentally consume it
Is Wax Paper Eco-Friendly?
We live in a plastic world, which is why it’s important to use alternatives like wax paper. Plastic is an environmental hazard, and using things like wax paper is much better for the environment.
The paper and wax used to create wax paper are not nearly as detrimental to the environment as plastic. By switching to wax paper, you will be able to significantly minimize your plastic waste.
Can Wax Paper Be Recycled?
Although using wax paper is beneficial to the environment, it is unfortunately not recyclable.
The paper itself would be considered recyclable, but the wax coating causes it to interfere with the recycling process. The wax can cause the recycling mechanism to get stuck if too much of it is processed, which can cause some serious issues later.
While it isn’t disposable, most wax papers are actually biodegradable. Some can even be used in compost. Be sure to check your wax paper to see the best way to dispose of it, the amount you throw out can add up quickly.
Other Uses For Wax Paper
Wax paper isn’t only useful when it comes to food storage, it actually has many different uses.
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your fridge clean, you can use wax paper to line your shelves! This helps keep any small crumbs from getting into those hard-to-reach places while keeping your appliance looking fresh.
It can also be used to keep wooden cutting boards, spoons, or bowls clean. Simply rub the wax paper on your wooden items to coat them in a thin layer of wax to keep them looking fresh.
Wax paper is a great option to use when you’re packing your lunch or a picnic. You can also use it to line trays to enhance your food presentation at a party!
Cleaning With Wax Paper
Not only is wax paper great for food storage or in other ways around the kitchen, but you can also use it for cleaning! Simply attach it to the bottom of your Swiffer mop to attract dust bunnies and dirt.
I’ve even used wax paper to polish my metal faucets to keep them looking fresh. The wax will prevent spots from building up, so I don’t have to keep cleaning them every week.
My grandpa swore on wax paper to prevent rust from building up on his garden tools as well. It seems like the possibilities are endless when it comes to wax paper!
Top 5 Alternatives To Wax Paper
Wax paper is a great choice for food storage, but it may not be for everyone. If you’re looking for a similar alternative, check out this list below.
1.Beeswax Food Wraps
Beeswax food wraps are one of the best alternatives to wax paper because beeswax is a completely natural food-safe product. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which make it great for food storage.
2.Dry Wax Paper
Dry wax paper is most similar to wax paper. It still cannot be used in the oven or with hot foods. The wax is actually deeper within the paper so it won’t leave a wax residue and it has more of a paper-like feel.
3.Parchment Paper
If you’re looking for paper to use in the oven, parchment paper is perfect. It has a high heat resistance and is also non-stick and greaseproof.
4.Butcher Paper
Butcher paper is much thicker than wax, and it is best used with messy foods like marinated meats. It’s important to remember that not all butcher paper is FDA approved, so be sure to check before use.
5.Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is an all in one product widely used for cooking and food storage. While it is safe, it may lead to an increased aluminum intake in your diet, so be cautious. Learn more about aluminum foil by reading this article.
Final Thoughts
Overall, wax paper is a fantastic food storage option. It is safe and versatile, and you can reuse it to cut back on waste. There are so many uses for wax paper around the house that it makes sense to always keep it on hand. It seems like there isn’t a room where it can be used! In a world where we should look at reducing our waste, the wax paper makes for a great option against plastic alternatives.
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My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.