Wax paper and parchment papers are both commonly used in food preparation, particularly in baking. However, they have different properties and uses due to the ways they are made and the materials they contain.
Key Takeaways
- Wax paper is coated with wax, making it greasy and not suitable for use in the microwave or oven.
- Parchment paper is dipped in acid and coated with silicon, making it heat resistant and non-stick, ideal for baking.
- Using parchment paper eliminates the need for greasing a pan and does not leave residue or taste on the food, unlike wax paper.
Wax Paper
Wax paper is a paper that has a coating of wax or paraffin, which gives it a tissue paper-like appearance with 2-3 coatings of wax on both sides. The paper undergoes a process called supercalendering, which compresses it and makes it transparent. Due to the wax coating, wax paper is virtually waterproof. However, it cannot be used in an oven or microwave, as the wax will melt. Wax paper is typically used for cold storage of food items, such as wrapping sandwiches, and can also be used for tracing patterns. To prepare it for tracing, a hot iron is pressed over the paper to make it stick to the fabric.
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is made by dipping sheets of paper pulp in sulfuric acid or sometimes zinc chloride. The acid makes the paper heat resistant, and some of the paper dissolves in the acid. This property makes parchment paper ideal for use in baking. When using parchment paper, there is no need to grease the tray or pan, as the paper is non-stick. This means that the paper does not stick to the pan or food, and there is no mess after the food item has been prepared.
Comparing Wax Paper and Parchment Paper
There are several differences between wax paper and parchment paper:
- Parchment paper is made heat resistant by being dipped in acid and has a non-stick silicon coating, whereas wax paper is coated with wax to make it greasy.
- Wax paper cannot be used in the microwave or oven, as its coating melts away, while parchment paper can be used for baking since it is heat resistant.
- Parchment paper eliminates the need for greasing a tray or pan, and the paper does not stick to either the pan or food item, leaving no mess behind. Wax paper, on the other hand, may leave a waxy taste on the food.
