Parchment paper vs. Wax paper: Know the difference

Want to know the difference between parchment paper vs. wax paper? In this post we share everything you need to know about both!

Suppose you are a new baker, and you have no experience in the kitchen. In that case, the confusion between wax paper and parchment paper is inevitable.

Most people tend to make massive blunders in their baking just by not knowing the basic terminologies of baking and its essentials.

Hence, here is a complete guide to help you understand the difference between wax paper and parchment paper to get the best out of your baking sessions!

Is wax paper the same as parchment paper?

Parchment paper and wax papers look very identical, which is the main confusion amongst most novice bakers.

Both are moisture-resistant and non-stick, but they have apparent differences in bringing out the final savories such as cakes, brownies, and whatnot. Hence, no.

Parchment paper and wax paper are entirely different and have different uses in the world of baking.

Parchment paper vs. Wax Paper: Know the difference.

Here is a complete guide on how parchment paper is different from wax paper to break through this massive confusion finally. Let’s check out!

Coatings

Parchment paper typically has a silicone coating which gives it a non-stick and heat resistant surface which is essential while baking cakes and other bakeries in the oven.

On the contrary, the wax paper has multiple layers of paraffin wax, which will instantly melt when you put it in your oven.

Therefore you will find professional bakers who always tell you not to use wax paper for baking.

That’s because this paper tends to burn and melt if exposed to direct heat and is not made to withstand the oven’s high temperatures.

Although wax paper is cheaper than parchment paper, it should not be used in the oven, as it can even cause a fire.

Usage

You can easily use parchment paper on your baking container as a lining before popping your cake batter into the oven.

Parchment paper can typically withstand a temperature of 420 degrees Fahrenheit without any hassle.

It will ensure that the cake does not stick after baking. You can easily remove the cake from the container without any stickiness.

Also, no need to grease your containers beforehand, resulting in lesser fat content in your cakes!

As already mentioned, never use wax paper inside the oven or on direct heat! Wax paper will always melt and hamper your food quality.

Instead, use your wax papers for wrapping up your everyday sandwiches or food, which you need to store at a cool temperature.

Processing

Making parchment paper includes pressing into sheets, dipping into an acid bath, washing, and passing over multiple rotating hot drums to realign the fibers and add to the strength of the paper.

Next, the silicone coating is applied, and the parchment paper is all ready to be sold!

Wax paper undergoes a lengthy process called supercalendering. Here the paper is compressed to add more transparency and then coated generously into the wax.