This is not a puppet related post! It’s some good old DIY fun.
How to make reusable Beeswraps and ditch the plastic wrap.
I bake sourdough bread often and would use plastic wrap during the prooving stage. I wasn’t feeling too good about the waste. When I saw a post by Something From Nothing which showed some wraps she had made, I knew I needed to try it. A few days later she showed a group of us how it’s done. I think they are amazing and feel like everyone can do it. If you don’t think you’ll get around to making them yourself, you can contact me and I will make some for you. Okay prepare a nice clear space to work and here we go.
- Gather your supplies! You will need:
- Beeswax If you are in Saskatoon you can get some from Cottonwood Springs Honey or Humblebee Candles
- Some fabric cut to the sizes most useful to you. Eg. One that will cover a mixing bowl, a medium one for a storage bowl, and a smaller one for wrapping cut veggies, cheese etc.
- A cheese grater. You may want to have one dedicated to this project because it will get very waxy.
- A foil lined pan
- Oven mitts
- Set the oven to 170° F (I may have set my oven slightly higher but you do not want any burning or fires). FYI the melting point of beeswax is 144°-147° F.
- Put your piece of fabric on the foil lined pan.
- Grate some beeswax and spread it somewhat thinly over the fabric. It will look like you’ve spread Parmesan cheese all over your cloth. Make sure you get it to the edges.
- Pop it in the oven to melt (3-5 minutes). Don’t walk away and forget about it. When you think it’s all melted take it out, lift it up and shake the excess off. Wave it around a bit to dry. My fingers don’t mind the heat of the beeswax. Yours might! It’s a bit hot. Be careful. Doesn’t it smell good?!
If you missed a spot, don’t worry. Just add some more beeswax and stick it back in the oven. Hang over the back of a chair to dry.
You might want to make more for yourself and all of your friends and family because they are the best. So don’t throw away your foil. Fold it up and save it for the next time.
How to Use Your Wraps
- The heat of your hands is what helps the wrap stick to itself or the bowl. Fold it, press it, twist it.
- To clean: Use a mild detergent and wash under cool water. Don’t immerse unless it’s super dirty. Hang to dry, please don’t wring it out.
- Beeswraps are not suitable for the dishwasher, microwave. Remember, the wax will melt. If the food you want to cover is hot please wait until it cools.
- These wraps shouldn’t come into contact with raw meats. Put it in a bowl first and then cover that.
- You can use these over and over. After maybe a year you may need to re wax. No problem – you don’t need to throw these guys out.
It’s fun and rewarding to make stuff yourself. If you have any questions feel free to contact me:)