What is Wax Paper? Is Wax Paper The Same As Parchment Paper?

Wax paper and parchment paper are both common products in the kitchen, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. However, many people often confuse the two. This article will help you understand wax paper, parchment paper, and the differences between them, so you can use them correctly in your kitchen.

Wax Paper Overview

What is Wax Paper?

Wax paper (also called “waxed paper” or “paraffin paper”) is a type of paper that has been made moisture-resistant and grease-resistant by coating it with wax. It helps to keep moisture in or out, ensuring that watery foods retain their moisture while crispy foods do not become soggy.

Waxed paper is commonly found in rolls, but it is also available in flat sheets, pop-up sheets, bags, or specialty cut papers like patty paper.

Waxed Paper Features

Waxed paper has several features such as:

• Water and grease resistance: The wax coating on the surface of the paper makes it highly resistant to moisture and grease, preventing it from becoming wet or soaked with oils.
• High durability: Waxed paper is quite durable and can withstand physical handling when used for wrapping or storing food.
• Not heat-resistant: Wax paper melts easily when exposed to heat, making it unsuitable for use in ovens or air fryers.

What Is Wax Paper Used For?

Waxed paper is commonly used in cooking due to its non-stick properties and for wrapping food for storage, such as cookies, because it keeps moisture out. It is also used in arts and crafts.

Parchment Paper Overview

What is Parchment Paper?

Parchment paper, sometimes referred to as baking paper, is a cellulose-based paper that has undergone processing to add qualities like non-stickiness, resistance to grease, humidity resistance, and heat resistance.

Parchment paper comes in rolls, rectangular sheets, and circular sheets.

What Is Baking Paper Used For?

Parchment paper is widely used as disposable non-stick baking and cooking paper. Its surface keeps food from sticking, it is greaseproof and suitable for a variety of uses, and it is extremely heat-resistant, working at temperatures as high as 220°C.

What Is The Difference Between Wax Paper And Parchment Paper?

Here's a comparison table highlighting the key differences between wax paper and parchment paper:

Wax Paper vs Parchment Paper for Baking

Wax paper is not suitable for baking; parchment paper is. While parchment paper is safe to use in the oven, wax paper can melt and pose a fire risk.

Wax Paper vs Parchment Paper for Freezing

For freezing, you can use both parchment paper and wax paper. For instance, utilize precut sheets as partitions between stacked pieces of meat or fold the paper to wrap fruits and vegetables. In order to manage inventory, you can also label your foods and keep track of what you are chilling by writing with a permanent marker on either kind of paper. 

While the coatings on either of these papers are unaffected by cold temperatures, some pros find that wax paper works better in the freezer due to its cost-effectiveness, saving parchment paper for special occasions only.

Wax Paper vs Parchment Paper for Food Preparation

Parchment and wax paper are also helpful in a variety of food preparation procedures. Either kind of paper works well for quick and simple cleanup because you can place it down on your work surfaces and throw it away when you're done. When working with sticky foods like ground meat, dough, or pasta, this is extremely helpful. Simply lay a piece of wax or parchment paper on your work surface and sift the dry ingredients over it if you are preparing a recipe that calls for them. Next, carefully remove the paper and pour the ingredients into your mixture using the funnel.

Wax Paper vs Parchment Paper Frequently Asked Question

Can I Use Wax Paper In An Air Fryer?

No, you cannot put wax paper in an air fryer. Waxed paper is very sensitive to heat, and since the cooking process in an air fryer relies on hot air, they do not mix well together.

What Type of Containers Can You Put in An Air Fryer?

Can You Put Wax Paper In The Microwave?

Waxed paper can be used to cover food while it cooks in a microwave to avoid splatters. Under normal usage conditions, the paper won't heat up to the point of combustion because it is mostly unaffected by microwaves. Because plastic wrap melts at higher temperatures and aluminum foil is unsafe to use in most microwave ovens, waxed paper becomes more useful.

Can You Put Wax Paper In The Oven?

Wax paper is not recommended for baking in the oven because it will smoke.

Can You Put Parchment Paper in the Oven?

Yes, waxed paper is heat-resistant, making it suitable for use in the oven.

Can Wax Paper Be Recycled?

Waxed paper also cannot be recycled.

Can I Use Parchment Paper Instead Of Waxing Paper?

You can use parchment paper instead of wax paper in many cases. Parchment paper is more heat-resistant and suitable for baking and cooking, whereas wax paper does not handle high temperatures well and can melt when exposed to heat.

Conclusion

Wax paper and parchment paper each have their own specific uses in the kitchen. Understanding the characteristics and applications of each type will help you choose the right paper for your needs, thereby enhancing both efficiency and safety in food preparation and storage.

Related Articles:

• How to Use Wax Paper Creative Through The House
• Will Wax Paper Melt In The Microwave? How to Use Waxed Paper Safety