Was paper is not something we would consider to be edible. So is cooking with it actually safe?
What if I accidentally used wax paper in oven?
Wax paper is not toxic but it is not edible either. Using wax paper in the oven should not cause any major problems. The wax paper might get stuck to the food or the dish. Fortunately, there are many ways to resolve it. But if the paper is burnt there might be smoke and even fire.
Want to know more about how to deal with wax paper after you’ve accidentally put it in the oven? Follow us to the article because we have every scenario covered!
Is Wax Paper Dangerous?
Well, wax paper is not exactly dangerous. But you cannot call it safe either.
There are mainly two types of wax paper. The first one is paraffin. Paraffin is a colorless wax and it is the byproduct of producing petroleum.
The second kind of wax is organic wax. Organic wax is generally gathered from beeswax.
Organic wax or beeswax is the safest. Especially when it comes to making candles. But for use in the oven, neither paraffin nor organic wax is particularly harmful.
Wax may sometimes ruin the taste of food. Or create smoke while cooking in the oven. But neither the smoke nor the food will be toxic.
What May Happen If I Use Wax Paper In Oven?
Wax has the tendency of melting at high temperatures. This is why wax is great for making candles.
However, when it comes to cooking in an oven, paper made of wax should not be the first choice. The low heat tolerance of wax is what makes wax paper unsuitable for cooking.
Technically wax paper can be used in the oven. But you must use it at a very low temperature and for a short period.
Cooking done in the oven at high temperatures does not favor the wax paper. That’s why can’t you put wax paper in the oven. And when it melts, it may ruin your food, dishes, and even your oven.
If the temperature gets too hot, a fire might start from the burning wax paper. The wax cracks at high temperatures and that might cause the dry paper to catch fire. The fire may end up creating a big catastrophe.
Even if the fire is small and containable, it will fill up the kitchen with smoke. Because wax paper is not toxic, the smoke it creates is not toxic either. Inhaling it will not poison your body or harm it in any way, but it will be suffocating.
But the most common problem you may face is the paper getting stuck to the food. It is due to the non-stick characteristics of wax paper. The food sticks to the wax paper and separating them is quite a challenge.
What Do I Do Now?
We already mentioned the three outcomes that you may face if you put wax paper in the oven.
The most common of three outcomes is wax paper getting stuck on the food. Another one is wax paper melting and ruining the dishes. And the final and most dangerous one is wax burning and creating smoke and fire.
If you put wax paper in the oven, you may face any of these outcomes. You might face multiple at once as well. So let’s see how to deal with the issue.
Removing Wax Paper Stuck to Food
As we mentioned the most common issue you will face is wax paper stuck to food. Wax paper itself is not toxic so you can eat the food after removing the wax.
So now let’s see how we can unstuck the wax paper.
Method 1: Wetting the Wax
We are going to be using water in this method. So it is only appropriate for food that can get wet. Fruit leather and flax crackers are foods that can have wax paper removed using this method.
Begin by taking a spray bottle. Using the spray bottle, heavily wet the outside and inside of the stuck wax paper. Let the water soak properly.
Wait for about 10 minutes. It should be enough time for the water to soak. Now start peeling off the wax paper.
Remember that you will have to work fast. The wax paper starts to dry again pretty quickly after getting wet.
Method 2: Using Heat
This method is apt for foods like cookies and caramels. The food must have more heat resistance or a higher melting temperature than wax.
For this process, you will require the assistance of a cookie sheet. Now heat the cookie sheet in the microwave. Set the temperature at 175 degrees Fahrenheit or 80 degrees celsius.
After heating for a few minutes, take the cookie sheet out. Now quickly place the wax-bound food item on the sheet.
Keep the food on the sheet for a few minutes and then flip it. Now try to peel the wax paper off. It should not require much effort now.
If removing the wax paper is still difficult, then put the paper on the heat again. Try peeling it again after another few minutes.
Removing Wax Paper From the Dishes
After melting, paper wax might get stuck on the dish you were using. Sometimes the wax might even get stuck in the oven.
Rest assured, the stuck paper wax won’t be on your dish for much longer. Removing paper wax from dishes is pretty easy. And there are a myriad of different methods of doing it as well.
Method 1: Using a Hair Dryer
This is a really simple method that will require the assistance of a hair dryer. This method aptly suits almost all dishes. This is the best method to remove paper wax from the oven.
But the dish might get too hot if it is made of heat conductive material (steel, bronze). In that case, use insulative gloves to hold the dish.
Now to begin, plug the hair dryer in and set the power to the highest temperature. Blow the hot air towards the stuck wax paper. Keep blowing for a few minutes until the wax starts to melt.
When the wax finally melts, clean it off using a soft rug or a paper towel. Keep repeating the process until the wax is completely gone.
Finally, you can clean the surface using a damp clean microfiber cloth. That will get rid of any residue wax paper.
Method 2: By Scrapping
This method is great for dishes of all materials. Though be careful about scrapping glass as it may leave scratch marks. But avoid it for ovens because the water may damage the electrical components.
Begin by taking some hot water and soaking a sponge it in. Then wipe the wax paper using the sponge. Keep wiping till the wax becomes moist.
Then use a razor blade or a table knife to scrape off the wax. A plastic scraper may also be used. Be very careful while scraping though, especially about scraping glass.
Keep scraping until there is no more wax paper. If the wax hardens again, use the sponge soaked in hot water to moisten it up again. Then continue scraping.
Finally, wipe the surface using a damp clean microfiber cloth. That will get rid of any remnant wax paper and clean the dish completely.
Dealing With the Smoke And Fire
Wax paper getting burned may create smoke. We already mentioned that the smoke itself is not toxic. But it will be suffocating.
To remove the smoke, increase the ventilation as much as you can. If you have a kitchen chimney or hood, start it immediately. Or if you have any exhaust fans, turn them on.
Opening the doors and windows will also help. Getting the air flowing in any way will get the smoke out of the kitchen. Just do not panic and work calmly.
Now there is a small chance of the wax paper starting a fire in the kitchen. If such is the case, stay calm and follow our instructions.
You must keep the oven closed. The fire will eventually die down because of the lack of oxygen.
Turn off the power of the oven immediately. Now, wait until the fire burns out.
If the fire continues to burn for a prolonged period, contact the fire department. If you have a fire extinguisher nearby, keep it ready at hand.
Alternatives to Wax Paper
Well you accidentally baked cookies on wax paper, and now you know that you shouldn’t have. But what can you use to bake or cook in the oven?
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is probably the best and most common alternative to wax paper. Parchment paper is specially made for use in the oven. It has been certified to tolerate temperatures of up to 460 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using parchment paper you will not have to worry about your food getting stuck. Because it is non-stick.
Here is Where you can get parchment paper.
| Product | Where To Get It |
| Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper Sheets | Click Here |
| Reynolds Kitchens Pop-Up Parchment Paper Sheets | Click Here |
Silicone Baking Mat
Silicone baking mat is also a good alternative to wax paper. It is made specially to tolerate extreme heat.
The layer of silicone baking mat is made of food-grade silicone, making it completely food safe. The layer is also non-stick, so the baked goods will not be getting stuck in it.
The best part of using a silicone baking mat is that it can be reused! You can recycle it upto 2000 times.
Aluminum Foil
We are all more or less familiar with aluminum foil. But not many of us may know that it can be used in the oven as well.
Aluminum foil is completely safe to use in the oven. It is also non-adhesive or non-stick. The heat tolerance of aluminum foil makes it an excellent alternative.
FAQs
Ate a Piece of Wax Paper?
Eating a small amount of wax paper is not cause for an alarm. Wax paper is a non-toxic compound. Eating it in small quantities will cause no harm to your body, though it is not edible. Your body will just not digest it and excrete it with other waste material.
What Is Wax Paper Used For?
Wax paper can be used for cooking and baking, just not in the part that requires the oven. Homemade marshmallows, chocolate bark, or anything else that goes into the refrigerator can be kept on wax paper. Rolling out dough is another uasge of wax paper.
Is Wax Paper Toxic When Smoked?
Wax paper is not toxic when smoked. Wax paper is not toxic in any form, melted or smoked. But it is not appropriate for smoking. Because the high temperature needed for smoking food cannot be tolerated by wax paper. The wax either melts or creates smoke from burning.
Conclusion
And with that we know what happens if you accidentally used wax paper in oven. We are also aware of what has to be done if you use wax paper in the oven.
Wax paper is not toxic and poses direct danger if put in the oven. The smoke it may create might be suffocating but it is not toxic. The more common issue of wax paper getting stuck can be pretty easily dealt with.
