You’ve baked a gourmet dessert for your family, and when it comes time to cool it you know you only have one option. It’s time to pull out the trusty wax paper. While some people love the feeling of wax paper in their hands, others would prefer not to touch this slippery paper at all.
If you’ve accidentally used wax paper in your oven before, then keep reading. After all, it is possible to unintentionally use it once or even twice before recognizing the issue. We’ll take a look at what causes this problem and how you can prevent it from ever happening again.
What is wax paper?
Wax paper is a paper product made with natural waxes and resins. It has a low melting point, and is therefore a poor heat conductor. This makes it an excellent choice for heating up a waffle iron or a greased pan without burning or leaving a mess.
Wax paper is also an excellent packaging material, especially for foods that are sensitive to high temperatures, like raw meat and fish, and fresh bakery items. However, it is not recommended for use in the oven.
Unlike other paper-based products, wax paper does not withstand high temperatures. It will melt and burn, making a mess in the oven and leaving a residue on the pans.
Why can’t I use wax paper in the oven?
Spreading the wax paper on the baking sheet is an easy way to overlap the dough or batter and create a large surface to be transferred to the iron. It is also a great way to avoid having excess crumbs on your ironing board.
Unfortunately, the wax paper will not withstand the heat of the oven. Paper, plastic, and aluminum foil are all poor heat conductors, while wax paper is a poor conductor. If the paper gets too hot, it will melt and turn into a hazardous goo that could damage your oven.
What is the solution to avoid using wax paper in the oven?
If you accidentally used wax paper in your oven before, there is a way to avoid making the same mistake again. Simply turn the oven to the lowest possible setting, and place a baking sheet in the oven.
This way, you will not have to use wax paper at all. Furthermore, you can also use a baking sheet made of a non-stick material. Moreover, you can also use parchment paper instead of wax paper. When the oven is at its lowest setting, parchment paper will be hotter than wax paper.
This is because parchment paper is a poor conductor of heat, while wax paper is a poor conductor of heat.
One may wonder why you need to turn your oven to the lowest possible setting. The reason why you need to do this is because the oven will be so hot that it will melt the wax paper. In this case, there is no way that you can use wax paper in the oven.
Actually, if your oven has a “high” setting, and also a “low” setting, then you will not be able to use any type of wax paper in the oven. The reason for this is because most people are not aware that their oven actually has two settings: high and low.
If your oven does not have these two settings, then you will have to turn down your stove burner instead of turning on the low setting on your stove burner.
Before using wax paper in the kitchen and in the microwave, one should first test if it can withstand being heated up by putting small dots of glue on different parts of it and heating it up for approximately 20 seconds at 30 °C (86 °F) until completely melted (see video).
If it melts easily or burns easily when heated up then either avoid using wax paper or test each sheet for melting quality before making any food items with them.
Which type of baking pan should you not use with wax paper?
The only type of baking pan that should not be used with wax paper is a metal sheet pan. The high heat of the oven could cause the metal to melt, which could lead to a major disaster.
The safest type of baking sheet to use with wax paper is a non-stick sheet. Parchment paper is a great alternative to wax paper, and can be used in the oven without fear of melting. However, if you do not have a paper baking sheet or parchment paper, you can still use your conventional baking pan.
Simply line the pan with wax paper and transfer the batter or dough to the sheet. This will help prevent any mess or residue from getting onto the baking sheet.
How to clean wax paper?
Wax paper is relatively easy to clean. You can simply wash it with warm water and mild soap. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe down the wax paper. Make sure that you dry the wax paper completely before using it again (see video).
Other tips and tricks for safely using baking parchment
When using wax paper in the oven, always turn the heat to its lowest setting. If you have a dual-oven oven, use a separate baking sheet or aluminum foil for each oven.
Wax paper is not heat-resistant, and it could melt in the heated oven. When cooling baked goods, never leave the wax paper in the direct rays of the sun. This could cause the paper to melt and stain the floor or countertop with harmful residue.
When using parchment paper, simply roll it up and store it away when not in use. Unlike wax paper, parchment paper is a heat conductor and will not melt at high temperatures. When using parchment paper in the microwave, always place it on a microwave-safe plate or cup to prevent melting.
When cutting parchment paper, use a sharp serrated knife and cut on the bias (perpendicular) to the edge of the sheet. This will prevent any curling or tearing of the paper (see video).
Do you have any other tips and tricks for safely using baking parchment? Please share them with us in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you!
Summary
Baking with parchment paper can be a great alternative option to using wax paper, but it is important to remember that parchment paper is not as heat-resistant as wax paper.
When baking with parchment paper, be sure to turn the heat as low as possible. Also, make sure to use a non-stick baking sheet to prevent any residue from getting onto the baking sheet.
FAQs
Q: Can parchment paper be used in the oven?
A: No. Parchment paper is not meant to be used in the oven and should not be used for baking.
Q: Can parchment paper be used for other purposes besides baking?
A: Parchment paper is not meant to be used for any other purpose but baking. Parchment paper will begin to degrade if it is exposed to high heat, such as being placed in the oven. If you would like to use parchment paper for something else, simply cut it into smaller pieces and place in a plastic bag or sealable container.
Q: What are parchment papers made from?
A: Parchment paper is made from a thin sheet of polyester film that has been coated with wax. The wax coating provides the heat-resistant properties of the sheet while also allowing it to be used as a food wrapping.
