Before answering the question, we must thoroughly find out what wax paper is. It is a type of waterproof paper that is obtained by pouring pure wax evenly on it so that it does not stick and slides the water so that it flows over it.
Even if the name sounds foreign, we often see wax paper in food presentations, in the kitchen, and even in handicraft classes and handmade works of art. At the same time, these wax papers are also very popular products in the packaging industry.
Although it is a matter of debate whether this paper should be thrown into the oven or not, it is known that this paper is not very resistant to high temperatures. So let’s come together and examine the wax paper and everything about it in detail and find the answer to the question.
Types of Wax Paper
There are two types of wax paper; dry wax paper and wet wax paper. Both are made from bleached kraft paper. In dry wax paper, the pure wax melting process is applied to the paper so that the wax texture is trapped inside the paper.
Thus, it is used more for food. It is especially preferred when presenting hot food that has just come out of the oven. Because the candle can melt and burn under the influence of heat. Since the wax texture is not smeared on the paper’s surface, it is not much different from normal paper in terms of feeling.
With wet wax paper, the situation is not much different; only when pure wax is identified with the paper the wax texture is made to remain on the outer surfaces of the paper. On the other hand, this type of wax paper is widely used in the packaging of cold and frozen foods and in the chocolate industry.
Features of Wax Paper
We can clearly say that wax paper has many benefits, especially when considering the areas of use in the food sector. The first and most important feature is that it is environmentally friendly and is produced as waste that can be recycled. It has a thin and soft structure and looks very stylish.
However, although it is thin, it is strong at the same time, and it does not tear easily. Moreover, it does not stick to any food and is waterproof. In addition to all this, the use of wax paper, especially in the food sector, significantly increases sales.
It gives both a vintage and a rich look, as it manages to attract buyers in the first place with its stylish appearance. For example, if you are making and selling a boutique hamburger, using these waxed papers is ideal for you to capture that “boutique” mood.
Where Is Wax Paper Used?
Although wax paper is most commonly seen and known in the food sector, it is used in many areas that would never come to mind. For example, the storage of sharp tools without damaging the surroundings was provided with waxed papers. We can say that ninety percent of the products we see in the markets are wax paper.
Wax paper is the most preferred type of packaging with its durability and non-stickiness in all kinds of products, from chocolate packaging to pasta packaging. In addition, the papers used for toilet hygiene in the gas station toilets during travel breaks or in the bathrooms in the venues, which we replace with the sensor, are also wax paper.
Interestingly, wax paper is also used in front of the lens for light tricks in the field of photography. So, in addition to being used in handicrafts, paintings, and presentations, wax papers are in our lives in many areas, even if we are unaware of them.
Can You Put Wax Paper in the Oven?
Let’s get to the main topic. Can you put the wax paper in the oven? The use of wax paper in baking is hardly recommended, although some opinions exist. Because of the substances in its structure, it is likely to show a tendency to catch fire and ignite at high temperatures, especially in places where heat is trapped, such as an oven or microwave.
However, there are a few exceptions in the microwave. For example, when heating some foods in the microwave, putting wax paper on them is more beneficial than using plastic, and since it has a lower tendency to burn in the microwave, wax paper can be used when heating food in the microwave.
Therefore, it is more appropriate to use greaseproof papers that do not stick in the same way be used in the oven. The difference between them is related to whether there is a wax texture. Greaseproof paper does not ignite and burn at high temperatures, but waxed paper can even cause a fire above a certain temperature.
Final Verdict
If we need to summarize all of these, we use and see wax paper in every aspect of our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. These papers, which also have significant contributions to marketing and the economy, also appear in subjects such as handicrafts, the food sector, the field of photography, the field of hygiene, packaging, and presentation techniques.
“Can you put wax paper in the oven?” when we consider the question, we come to the answer that throwing wax papers into the oven is a fire risk. Thanks to the pure wax used in the structure of these papers, they are papers that are prone to catching fire and igniting at high temperatures.
When we put a portion of food in the oven with wax papers, it is more appropriate to use greaseproof papers for this process, as there is a possibility of burning and catching fire. However, no one prefers to take risks when there is a different alternative for use in the oven. As we mentioned, wax paper has many uses, but baking is not one of them.