The cloth covers remind me so much of old movies where the farm wives would carry baskets of food to the workers in the field, and all the food would be wrapped in cloth. They are so cute! Thanks for sharing, Katie.
I've always understood that you clean your beeswax wraps in cold water with non abrasive soap. the warm water can eventually wear the layer of beeswax down.
Just some answers to all of you asking about these. 1. You don’t use just beeswax. You use a mixture of beeswax, powdered pine resin and jojoba oil. 2. You also don’t iron it between aluminium foil, you iron it between parchment paper. 3. Both pine resin and beeswax inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. 4. The pine resin makes the melting point of the beeswax higher so you can use it even on a warm day without the wax melting. 5. The Jojoba oil makes it all more flexible so the wax doesn’t crack too much when you use the wrap. 6. You clean it by wiping it with a damp cloth or washing it in cool water with mild soap, depending on how dirty it is. 7. You refresh is (when it gets very cracked) by putting it on parchment paper on a cookie sheet in a low over (200F) for 1-2 minutes to remelt the wax and pine resin. Or you can iron it between two sheets of parchment paper. 8. You can wrap anything in it except for meat and liquids. 9. Use the iron method because it gives you the best coverage with the least mess. If you get too much wax on your sheet it will be too sticky.
Much easier than I ever expected and much more economical that store bought ones. Would love an update in a month or so letting us know how they are holding up.
@metamud, most likely Katie is busy, but if you don't mind me chipping in, here is my experience and opinion: I absolutely love it!! :) I use them for bowl covers (my beeswax covers are round), and I have made bread bags of various sizes for my sandwiches, bread or other baked goods. I do make new ones every two years or so, but do refresh them every 2-3 months ( in the oven 250F for about 2-3 min) and they are like new. I hope this helps.
Nice demo! I hadn't heard of the ironing method, with protection on each side provided by aluminum foil. A) Seems the result was more even than melting in oven and trying to drip dry, as I did. Wax dried so fast I'd either find I needed to smooth out, cut or otherwise remove was at the bottom of the cloth if I hung it to dry. B) You probably had less waste with this ironing method, due to my cutting and getting wax on hands, lifting implements, etc. and C) I can see it would be important to use heavy duty foil, as you did, because the lighter weight or recycled foil would tear too easily, and likely get wax on the iron. Glad you wrote that you later turned up the heat to "high" on the iron and it worked better.
You can also call you local Bee Keeper association and ask to buy Bee's Wax straight from the source!! I have made these thanks to your directions! I used my coffee grinder and my sister used her food processor to grind own the wax, much easier and faster!! I love mine! thank you!
I bought 4 sheets already made for £35s, thinking it was a bit costly for doing my bit for the environment. Hope this is just as good so perhaps I can make it for half the price. Thanks for that!
Not really, think about all the money you've wasted on plastic products that you've only used once and thrown away, like ziploc bags. You probably still have wax left and once your current ones wear out you can reinvigorate them with your leftover wax
hi katie...thank you so much for giving me the sizes! i have looked at so many videos and no one has said what sizes i need to cut the material...i'm wondering if i should wash the fabric first? i really appreciate your videos!! thanks so much! i've subscribed!
Wow that is so cool! Great info on the beeswax i was actually looking online to purchase some I know exactly what to look for now always wanted to make some lip balm! Mahalo for sharing!!🌞
I would refrain from using aluminum foil (not so healthy a choice) and use parchment paper instead. It is much less toxic. I personally prefer the oven method at 225F and a good quality paint brush to smooth the wax. I would never use Aluminum foil. Just my environmental 2 cents worth :)
We just bought 4 packs, the Lescan wraps. It's been four months and haven't had to use plastic wrap since. If anyone knows how to get a hold of Lescan wraps please let me know, they don't have a website. I think there in Barrie Ontario. It works so much better than plastic. Other parents keep asking me we're too get them. I want more, your food taste better.
These are so cool!! I loosely follow the Soulemama blog and she had a company that did these as her sponsor. I was intrigued. I know Michaels has beeswax because I splurged one day because I love the smell of beeswax candles and made my own. A side note, I am going through my slow cooker recipe books to get some inspiration/season changing dinners. The Rival CrockPot Cooking recipe book I have has recipes to make bread in the crockpot. They suggest using the Bread 'n Cake Bake pan for it. I thought I'd tell you since your one video you mentioned holding off on crockpot bread.
I'm going to do this as soon as I can get my locally sourced beeswax. Still waiting to hear from the apiary about how much they have, if any, at this time.
I wonder how that could work, wax the fabric then sew a bag or sew then try to wax them. I think just wrapping the bread would work, but not sure about a bag.
Katie, This is interesting. I will have to give this a try. I definitely have some fabric around. How do you clean them? Lots of uses. TFS. Enjoyed. :)
Not hot water, warm or cold water works best. I wipe mine down if possible and wash them in cool water otherwise. Don’t use harsh dish soaps as that will strip the wax. Also once every few months put them on parchment paper in a low oven to remelt the wax and redistribute it.
I am wondering if it would work better if the bottom foil was wrapped around an ironing board and taped secure to prevent it from coming up as you work.
Too bad the wax stuck to the foil, my first attempt would be using the iron also, this is a great experiment, I’ll be using the oven method to let all the wax penetrate the fabric.
What happens if u wrap a sandwich in the summer and keep it in your bag? Won't the beeswax stick to the food? I guess this is only to be used for things that go in the freezer or for room temp(?)
The pine resin and the jojoba oil make the wraps stand up a little better in the heat. Put your wrapped food in a cooler or cooler bag, insulated lunch bag, etc will also keep the wrap from melting. Beeswax is edible so getting it on your food won't harm you.
They work ok, but I folded them and lots of beeswax came off of the creases. If you make some be fore to store them flat or gently rolled. They do require more care than other food wrappings which makes them something I don't reach for all the time.
I bought some for my lunches in September from a craft show. The company was Lescan wraps. It's now February and I'm still using the same 4 wraps, and there still clean and keeping my food fresh. I googled Lescan wraps but can't find them. My wife tryed too make some but that was a disaster and mess lol. But OMG there so awesome, I feel like the old hipster at work. lol
From what I see elsewhere, some people melt the wax over a Bain Marie and mix in some olive oil or jojoba oil. I guess this keeps the wax slightly more flexible and less likely to crack, and in that way stays on the fabric for longer. But you couldnt use the ironing method, oven only I assume.
Carol Kirkup you can actually use the iron method. Use 2 beeswax to 1 pine resin with some jojoba oil. So on a small sheet 2 tablespoons of melted wax distributed across the sheet, 1 tablespoon of powdered pine resin and 1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil. Distribute that evenly across your fabric which you’ve placed on parchment paper, add more parchment paper on top and iron with a hot iron. Works a treat.
Actually you can just grate the beeswax onto the cloth, evenly distribute it and the pine resin and jojoba oil, then iron between two pieces of parchment paper with a hot iron. It works perfectly fine and gives excellent saturation. Too much beeswax makes your wraps sticky and hard to handle.
Hi, I just came across your channel yesterday watching your freezer meals. I would really like an update on how these are working for you. I would like to try something similar. I also want to try melting food storage bags to cloth and make reusable sandwich "bags" for my kids lunches. Those wouldn't be effected by heat and cold like the beeswax would. Thanks for all the videos.
I don't use them as much as I thought I would. Mostly I reach for reusable containers. Instead of melting plastic onto cloth try to find "oil cloth" or "laminated fabric"
I found a bee keeper a couple of hours away on facebook marketplace, and bought a brick of beeswax from them. :) It wasn't that expensive, either.. considering how far a 1 lb block will go.
Just wax sounds easier than wax plus jajoba or another food safe oil... melting the wax in the oven then evening it out with a brush looked easier to me, though, so I think I will try that. I am going to use a silicone basting brush so hopefully I can use boiling water to clean the wax off with no issues, which should work for any grater used as well (just be careful not to burn yourself on the metal).
You can absolutely. I use them in Australia. The pine resin makes them less melts, that’s why you need a very hot iron to melt it all in the iron method.
The fact that you used an iron to create your wraps was amazing for me because my oven doesn't really work and I was getting worried that I couldn't be able to make them, but now I have a great example thanks to you!!
So I tried this and it doesn't seem that the beeswax will stick to itself... I'm using 100% cotton fabric and the same brand of bees wax from Michael's. Any suggestions Katie?
I bought bees wax from Michaels and it says not for use in contact for skin, but to use for candle-making. The ingredient is just beeswax. Should this matter?
Thank you for making this video, I need to do this. You should never use aluminum foil to cook with or heat any other way. Aluminum is very bad for you. I will use paper like a paper grocery bag.
Don't use a paper grocery bag, it may absorb the melted beeswax. Paper bags are great for getting candle drippings out of fabric & carpet though! Place the paper bag over the wax drippings, iron the paper bag and keep moving the paper until you don't see any more wax residue appear on the paper bag.
Keri T why do you say this? you don't think we are going to far with using so much plastic that will still be here for thousands of years after we die?
The cloth covers remind me so much of old movies where the farm wives would carry baskets of food to the workers in the field, and all the food would be wrapped in cloth. They are so cute! Thanks for sharing, Katie.
I've always understood that you clean your beeswax wraps in cold water with non abrasive soap. the warm water can eventually wear the layer of beeswax down.
Just some answers to all of you asking about these.
1. You don’t use just beeswax. You use a mixture of beeswax, powdered pine resin and jojoba oil.
2. You also don’t iron it between aluminium foil, you iron it between parchment paper.
3. Both pine resin and beeswax inhibit bacterial and fungal growth.
4. The pine resin makes the melting point of the beeswax higher so you can use it even on a warm day without the wax melting.
5. The Jojoba oil makes it all more flexible so the wax doesn’t crack too much when you use the wrap.
6. You clean it by wiping it with a damp cloth or washing it in cool water with mild soap, depending on how dirty it is.
7. You refresh is (when it gets very cracked) by putting it on parchment paper on a cookie sheet in a low over (200F) for 1-2 minutes to remelt the wax and pine resin. Or you can iron it between two sheets of parchment paper.
8. You can wrap anything in it except for meat and liquids.
9. Use the iron method because it gives you the best coverage with the least mess. If you get too much wax on your sheet it will be too sticky.
Much easier than I ever expected and much more economical that store bought ones. Would love an update in a month or so letting us know how they are holding up.
yes, an update is a good idea. I have been using them frequently
So, it's been well over a year. Is there an update?
@metamud,
most likely Katie is busy, but if you don't mind me chipping in, here is my experience and opinion:
I absolutely love it!! :)
I use them for bowl covers (my beeswax covers are round), and I have made bread bags of various sizes for my sandwiches, bread or other baked goods.
I do make new ones every two years or so, but do refresh them every 2-3 months
( in the oven 250F for about 2-3 min) and they are like new.
I hope this helps.
When you refresh them in the oven, Joanna Mccain, do you place them on a cookie sheet or on foil? Thanks in advance. this is a great idea!
Great idea! I have seen this on different other channels! But it is really a great idea! With the iron is also very environment friendly! Thumbs up!
Nice demo! I hadn't heard of the ironing method, with protection on each side provided by aluminum foil. A) Seems the result was more even than melting in oven and trying to drip dry, as I did. Wax dried so fast I'd either find I needed to smooth out, cut or otherwise remove was at the bottom of the cloth if I hung it to dry. B) You probably had less waste with this ironing method, due to my cutting and getting wax on hands, lifting implements, etc. and C) I can see it would be important to use heavy duty foil, as you did, because the lighter weight or recycled foil would tear too easily, and likely get wax on the iron. Glad you wrote that you later turned up the heat to "high" on the iron and it worked better.
You can also call you local Bee Keeper association and ask to buy Bee's Wax straight from the source!! I have made these thanks to your directions! I used my coffee grinder and my sister used her food processor to grind own the wax, much easier and faster!! I love mine! thank you!
A box grater would be better also use parchment . You want something no stick and you can also reuse any bees wax that melts again.
Tutorial starts at 5:50
Thank you. Not all heroes wear capes. Appreciated.
I bought 4 sheets already made for £35s, thinking it was a bit costly for doing my bit for the environment. Hope this is just as good so perhaps I can make it for half the price. Thanks for that!
Bickyeal Lee Morning gvgyewwwszcvvbbbbbnjnb. Agatha hi na das ja
Not really, think about all the money you've wasted on plastic products that you've only used once and thrown away, like ziploc bags. You probably still have wax left and once your current ones wear out you can reinvigorate them with your leftover wax
Good job Katie well done the planet says thanx 🌏🌲🐠🐟🐋🐬
Awesome 😎 I am so making some of these
hi katie...thank you so much for giving me the sizes! i have looked at so many videos and no one has said what sizes i need to cut the material...i'm wondering if i should wash the fabric first? i really appreciate your videos!! thanks so much! i've subscribed!
love this idea
They sell blocks of beeswax at my local candle shop. I'm definitely trying this out!
Wow that is so cool! Great info on the beeswax i was actually looking online to purchase some I know exactly what to look for now always wanted to make some lip balm! Mahalo for sharing!!🌞
I would refrain from using aluminum foil (not so healthy a choice) and use parchment paper instead. It is much less toxic. I personally prefer the oven method at 225F and a good quality paint brush to smooth the wax. I would never use Aluminum foil. Just my environmental 2 cents worth :)
There is nothing wrong with aluminum foil which is recyclable
The amount of aluminum that leaches into food is debatable but some people's bodies can't detox it.
I really like this, Katie. I have some bees wax in raw form that a bee keeper gave me. I need to clean it first, and then try this.
so awesome to have local beeswax!
We just bought 4 packs, the Lescan wraps. It's been four months and haven't had to use plastic wrap since. If anyone knows how to get a hold of Lescan wraps please let me know, they don't have a website. I think there in Barrie Ontario. It works so much better than plastic. Other parents keep asking me we're too get them. I want more, your food taste better.
Daniel Boone and Becky would be smiling right now... :) .. Interesting project...
Is that possible to make reusable snack or lunch bags not just wraps?
Can you put beeswax on both sides to make it easier to clean?
From what I understand the wax will melt through and infuse both sides of the fabric. ^_^
Wow great! Didnt know
These are so cool!! I loosely follow the Soulemama blog and she had a company that did these as her sponsor. I was intrigued. I know Michaels has beeswax because I splurged one day because I love the smell of beeswax candles and made my own. A side note, I am going through my slow cooker recipe books to get some inspiration/season changing dinners. The Rival CrockPot Cooking recipe book I have has recipes to make bread in the crockpot. They suggest using the Bread 'n Cake Bake pan for it. I thought I'd tell you since your one video you mentioned holding off on crockpot bread.
oh neat! Looks like the Bread n' Cake pan is not made anymore. There are some on Ebay.
make sure to do both sides
I'm going to do this as soon as I can get my locally sourced beeswax. Still waiting to hear from the apiary about how much they have, if any, at this time.
these look wonderful. i wonder how they would be for bread keepers after it is baked? have to seen any made into bread bags?
I wonder how that could work, wax the fabric then sew a bag or sew then try to wax them. I think just wrapping the bread would work, but not sure about a bag.
trvlbuggy you could use origami to fold them into a bag like shape
this is really nice but i'm just curious if it gets dirty how do you wash it? just with water or you don't?
liecheepaint wash with cool water and light amount of soup.
It’s waxed like you would do boots or a bag, most stuff rolls or wipes right off. But you rinse in lukewarm/cool water to clean.
What would you use the huge sheets for?
Genius! Love this project. Will you do a follow up after you've used them awhile? How do you clean them?
I will update, I have been using them a lot. To clean them I use warm soapy water, rinse and air dry
Silly question, but do you do the side with the print?
The liquid wax soaks through the fabric so both sides are waxy. Does that help?
@@loriyoung653 yes, thank you!
@@simplelivingwithconniekeen9485 Oh good! 🙂 You're welcome!
Katie, This is interesting. I will have to give this a try. I definitely have some fabric around. How do you clean them? Lots of uses. TFS. Enjoyed. :)
Just rinse in warm soapy water and air dry.
Not hot water, warm or cold water works best. I wipe mine down if possible and wash them in cool water otherwise. Don’t use harsh dish soaps as that will strip the wax. Also once every few months put them on parchment paper in a low oven to remelt the wax and redistribute it.
thanks for the tutorial, how did cleaning your micro-plane go?
It was no problem at all. Cleaned up with dish soap and hot water.
Very good
It would be nice to add the items that you made the covers with below the video ( where it says SHOW MORE ) .....Thanks !
I am wondering if it would work better if the bottom foil was wrapped around an ironing board and taped secure to prevent it from coming up as you work.
I wouldn't use foil at all! just overlap wax or parchment paper. heated foil is bad for your health.
Too bad the wax stuck to the foil, my first attempt would be using the iron also, this is a great experiment, I’ll be using the oven method to let all the wax penetrate the fabric.
What happens if u wrap a sandwich in the summer and keep it in your bag? Won't the beeswax stick to the food? I guess this is only to be used for things that go in the freezer or for room temp(?)
No summer is not a problem unless you’re leaving your food in the sun, which most people don’t do. The pine resin makes it less melty
The pine resin and the jojoba oil make the wraps stand up a little better in the heat. Put your wrapped food in a cooler or cooler bag, insulated lunch bag, etc will also keep the wrap from melting. Beeswax is edible so getting it on your food won't harm you.
Any updates on how these have held up?
They work ok, but I folded them and lots of beeswax came off of the creases. If you make some be fore to store them flat or gently rolled. They do require more care than other food wrappings which makes them something I don't reach for all the time.
I bought some for my lunches in September from a craft show. The company was Lescan wraps. It's now February and I'm still using the same 4 wraps, and there still clean and keeping my food fresh. I googled Lescan wraps but can't find them. My wife tryed too make some but that was a disaster and mess lol. But OMG there so awesome, I feel like the old hipster at work. lol
From what I see elsewhere, some people melt the wax over a Bain Marie and mix in some olive oil or jojoba oil. I guess this keeps the wax slightly more flexible and less likely to crack, and in that way stays on the fabric for longer. But you couldnt use the ironing method, oven only I assume.
Carol Kirkup you can actually use the iron method. Use 2 beeswax to 1 pine resin with some jojoba oil. So on a small sheet 2 tablespoons of melted wax distributed across the sheet, 1 tablespoon of powdered pine resin and 1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil. Distribute that evenly across your fabric which you’ve placed on parchment paper, add more parchment paper on top and iron with a hot iron. Works a treat.
What about rubbing the wax directly on the cloth and then ironing it....
+Benjamin New I don't think enough wax would transfer. It really needs to be saturated
Actually you can just grate the beeswax onto the cloth, evenly distribute it and the pine resin and jojoba oil, then iron between two pieces of parchment paper with a hot iron. It works perfectly fine and gives excellent saturation. Too much beeswax makes your wraps sticky and hard to handle.
Do you need to put wax on both sides
No, it soaks through the fabric once it is melted, like a regular liquid would. Does that help?
Hi, I just came across your channel yesterday watching your freezer meals. I would really like an update on how these are working for you. I would like to try something similar. I also want to try melting food storage bags to cloth and make reusable sandwich "bags" for my kids lunches. Those wouldn't be effected by heat and cold like the beeswax would. Thanks for all the videos.
I don't use them as much as I thought I would. Mostly I reach for reusable containers. Instead of melting plastic onto cloth try to find "oil cloth" or "laminated fabric"
onetweetygirl71 PUL sold at Joanne's fabrics is food grade. you can make reusable sandwich bags etc from it.
how do you clean it
Is there any vegan alternative to these that'll work well?
Carnauba was, NOT soy
hello, I know it's late but can I use soy wax?
I found a bee keeper a couple of hours away on facebook marketplace, and bought a brick of beeswax from them. :) It wasn't that expensive, either.. considering how far a 1 lb block will go.
Just wax sounds easier than wax plus jajoba or another food safe oil... melting the wax in the oven then evening it out with a brush looked easier to me, though, so I think I will try that. I am going to use a silicone basting brush so hopefully I can use boiling water to clean the wax off with no issues, which should work for any grater used as well (just be careful not to burn yourself on the metal).
And, how did they work in the freezer, are you happy with the results? - Thanks!
They did allow more air to the bread than I would have liked. I continue to use freezer paper. Mostly I use these to wrap up veggies in the fridge.
Next time use parchment paper, it will work alot better and stick less
Awesome video my sister...
These are good ideas for a fridge, but I’m guessing you can’t use them as wraps in summer?
You can absolutely. I use them in Australia. The pine resin makes them less melts, that’s why you need a very hot iron to melt it all in the iron method.
The fact that you used an iron to create your wraps was amazing for me because my oven doesn't really work and I was getting worried that I couldn't be able to make them, but now I have a great example thanks to you!!
Is it washable?
F Ahmadi you can wash it by hand with cold water
you are the bomb diggity!!!!
lol! thanks!
So I tried this and it doesn't seem that the beeswax will stick to itself... I'm using 100% cotton fabric and the same brand of bees wax from Michael's. Any suggestions Katie?
Stephanie Hoff don’t use aluminium, use parchment paper.
Don't skimp on the beeswax- check. I think that is the coolest thing! I'd probably wrap everything!! TFS
I have been wrapping lots of things. They are fun to use :)
Does it have to be bees wax or can it be household wax?
+Angie Rose I think beeswax. It need to soften with body heat and I think parrafin and other was has higher melting points
Is there something i can use other than beeswax for this?
James Bean carnauba wax works for a vegan version
I bought bees wax from Michaels and it says not for use in contact for skin, but to use for candle-making. The ingredient is just beeswax. Should this matter?
if it says just for candles, use it just for that. the producer of the product may have put another chemical in it. heed warning and labels.
Look for cosmetic and food grade.
I don’t use aluminum anything in my kitchen
You can replace it with parchement paper
Did these work in your freezer?
not as well as I would have liked. I still used freezer paper for my bread loaves
How would you clean them?
under running water or damp cloth
warm soapy water, rinse well, and air dry :)
It won't evenly distribute as shavings you need to melt it in a bain marie and brush it on with a paint brush then iron under foil.
Just be aware of the aluminium that might be transferred to your wraps. Thank you
Can you put them in washing machine?
no, only rinse with cool water
Put in oven for ten seconds. Not iron
+kentocky yeah that works too.
I THINK THE OVEN METHOD IS EASIER.
Thank you for making this video, I need to do this.
You should never use aluminum foil to cook with or heat any other way. Aluminum is very bad for you.
I will use paper like a paper grocery bag.
Don't use a paper grocery bag, it may absorb the melted beeswax. Paper bags are great for getting candle drippings out of fabric & carpet though! Place the paper bag over the wax drippings, iron the paper bag and keep moving the paper until you don't see any more wax residue appear on the paper bag.
Use parchment paper
Noisy with the foil
14 by 14 OF WHAT ?.....?
I love this idea unfortunately its not vegan friendly.
I wonder if another wax would work...hhmmm.....
cheskydivision really? then don't eat fruits...
Making beeswax wraps to encourage people to use less plastic. The beeswax you're showing in the video is wrapped in ..... plastic.
Nit picking, just what the world needs more of.
even the bees are cheap quality in China. 😑
Edit Edit Edit
Oh my God now we are going to far, geez buy some some baggies please
Keri T why do you say this? you don't think we are going to far with using so much plastic that will still be here for thousands of years after we die?
Keri T this is for helping the environment. To reduce landfill and ocean pollution.
Keri T plastic kills u.u