Can wax paper be heated in the microwave?

The microwave is very practical for reheating food and even for cooking some. If you know how to use your microwave settings correctly, you can do many different things. Of course, you should also be aware of safety protocols so you don’t melt anything or create a fire hazard.

Most of us know that you can’t microwave anything that has metal in it, but there are other materials that you should also take into account to avoid any kind of problem. Just because it doesn’t explode or spark in the microwave doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea.

Can waxed paper be microwaved?

Waxed paper is a valuable resource. We often use it to store leftovers or to line pans. The thing is, that means it’s on or in our dishes when we try to microwave them. The good news is that it is considered safe for the microwave. 

In this guide, we will share with you valuable information on how to microwave waxed paper. Although it is considered safe, we feel it is important that you have all the details and even some tips for using wax paper when microwaving.

Stay with us to learn about microwaveable wax paper and much more.

Can wax paper be used in the microwave? - A complete guide

At first glance, you might look at the waxed paper and think oh, okay! After all, there’s no metal in waxed paper, right? But then you may start to question whether it is really safe or not. What if waxed paper is like Styrofoam and can contaminate our food?

Does wax paper melt? Is it really safe? But don’t worry, we’ve got all the information you need to know before you hit the start button on your microwave.

The USDA tells us that waxed paper should be microwave safe.  This is good news!

In addition, they mention that plastic wrap, parchment paper, microwaveable paper towels, and kitchen bags should also be safe. They have a statement not to allow plastic wrap to touch food in the microwave, which is an interesting addition.

This is reassuring. If the USDA has given us the green light, we can trust that information. However, there are more things to know that can be useful to you.

If you’re not sure what makes up wax paper, let’s do a quick refresher. Wax paper is a thin paper that has a layer of paraffin coated on it. The wax paper product is just as its name suggests.

Wax paper is often used to cover non-stick surfaces or to place or even prepare baked goods.  Many people use wax paper to store, for example, to wrap dulce de leche, cheese or other food and store it.

Wax paper is not to be confused with parchment paper. There are two different types of paper and their capacities are different. For example, parchment paper has a silicone coating instead of paraffin wax.

The big difference between the two when it comes to cooking is that wax paper can melt or even catch fire if used at extreme temperatures.

But don’t worry, wax paper can be used in the microwave without these risks.  Waxed paper is not oven-safe for these reasons. 

What is waxed paper used for?

Some people will never use wax paper in their kitchen, and that’s okay!

However, if you do a lot of cooking or baking at home, you should stock your pantry with essentials like aluminum foil, heavy-duty bags or containers, parchment paper, and wax paper. All of them play an essential role in various uses.

Wax paper and parchment paper are very similar in their overall look and design, but they do have their differences. We’re not here to talk about parchment paper, but we want you to be able to distinguish between the two.

Wax paper is coated with wax, hence the term wax paper. This wax is usually paraffin, but it can be soy. Wax paper is mainly intended to cover countertops and work spaces before working with doughs and pastry products.

Basically, wax paper helps clean up after spreading flour and dough all over the place. Also, waxed paper is often used to store food. You can wrap the items in waxed paper or in separate layers.

Waxed paper is actually better for cold uses and for storing or preparing food.  It is safe to use in the microwave, but not in the oven.

Can wax paper be heated?

We have mentioned before that wax paper can be used in the microwave. This is true. It is safe and effective in the microwave, as long as you don’t do it for extreme periods of time.

In fact, in the microwave, wax paper can be a very useful tool for steaming vegetables and fish.

The wax paper layer is safe, won’t harm food, and for things like steaming, it can help refine the process.  Waxed paper can also come in handy in the microwave to prevent the mess from splatters and such.

You can use waxed paper in the microwave. It is safe and ultimately harmless. Heating the waxed paper this way will not cause any problems or melt your waxed paper. It is primarily designed for cold use, but there are some minor exceptions.

We’ve mentioned this before, but since we’re talking about heating waxed paper, you should never use it in the oven. The oven temperature is hot enough that the wax paper can melt or even catch fire.

At what temperature does waxed paper melt?

Wax paper can melt. That is the main risk associated with the use of waxed paper when objects are heated with it.

While you probably don’t need to worry about wax paper melting when you microwave it, it’s worth knowing this information to be safe.

The temperatures allowed for its use are one of the important things that you should take into account when choosing whether to use parchment paper or wax paper.

There are also users who will tell you that waxed paper can be put in the oven if no part of the paper is exposed to the heat. Whether you are willing to take this risk or not is up to you.

If exposed to direct heat, the wax will melt and could absorb food, thus defeating its purpose for use . Also, you will no longer have a non-stick material between the pan and the food.

Remember how we mentioned that wax melts? This is the real safety issue of exposing wax paper to heat. Not only will the melted wax be a problem, but the paper under the layer of wax is exposed to heat and this is where a fire hazard could occur.

The melting point temperature of wax paper can vary slightly, but the average melting point of the wax used in the paper is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The microwave isn’t likely to apply such high direct heat to the paper.

However, you will need to keep these numbers in mind if you are planning to use the parchment paper in the oven or even in the toaster oven.

Conclution

Ultimately, what you should take away from this information is that wax paper can be microwaved. We recommend that you pay attention to the duration of cooking in the microwave, but in general it is safe.

You never want to use parchment paper in the oven or toaster oven, as it is not safe for the extreme heat it would endure in these settings.

Keep in mind that wax paper is designed to be used cold and at room temperature.

There are other options if you need to work with the oven or super-hot surfaces of any kind.

Related questions

We hope you find this guide to whether or not you can use wax paper in the microwave as a valuable resource, sharing all the tips and information you need.

We invite you to take a moment and review our Q&A section for more details.

Does wax paper melt in the microwave?

Waxed paper is unlikely to melt in the microwave. In fact, it can be a great option for steaming fish or vegetables, as well as covering things that have a tendency to bubble or spatter.

Think of wax paper as a way to prevent messes both in prep and in the microwave. You can use it in the microwave, but it is not recommended to use it on any other heat source.

Is wax paper the same as baking paper?

The answer is no. Although they look similar in appearance, parchment paper is designed to be used with heat. It has a silicone coating instead of a wax coating. Baking paper is more like parchment paper.