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Original poster

Anyone made a beeswax sandwich wrapper or food wrap?

40 replies

TheFurryMenace · 08/10/2018 20:43

Im really keen to make these in a move towards being more environmentally friendly. I've seen a few videos and had a little go tonight with a couple of test pieces of lightweight cotton fabric that I had left over from a craft project. I have a few queries that I can find answers to -

  • I think the fabric was maybe a bit too thick even though I thought it was a thin cotton. Is cotton poplin a more suitable fabric? is this 'shirt' type fabric? When I look online at light weight cotton this seems to come up. I am not a sewer so I dont really know much about cotton fabrics.
  • Why do the edges curl up? Is there anything I can do about this? I'd really like to make them for my work team mates as gifts so I'd like them to be nice and flat so I can present them nicely.

Any experiences would be great.

Thanks

OP posts:
OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 08/10/2018 20:56

Ive done quite a few bits, some remnants of a cotton batik fabric, some gingham and some muslin. Muslin is quite breathable good for cheese I think. The rest for sandwiches etc. Not had a problem with curling, did you use pinking shears? It's gone down well with the mates I gave it to. Needs a rinse to get rid of the beeswaxy smell.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 08/10/2018 20:56

Ive done quite a few bits, some remnants of a cotton batik fabric, some gingham and some muslin. Muslin is quite breathable good for cheese I think. The rest for sandwiches etc. Not had a problem with curling, did you use pinking shears? It's gone down well with the mates I gave it to. Needs a rinse to get rid of the beeswaxy smell.

hendal · 08/10/2018 21:05

I had a go at making some over summer - thoroughly enjoyed the process and the finished items are fantastic and work so well.

I used a mixture of cotton fabrics - some quilting weight (kind of like cotton duvet cover weight - sorry don’t know if that’s helpful) and poplin. I’ve not noticed much difference in terms of function - though my preferred wrap is a flamingo print poplin Grin I found that I had to use a fair bit more wax than I imagined on both fabrics, but when I had the correct quantity and it melted it soaked right through the fabric & I managed a good even coverage with a couple sweeps with a paint brush. The video tutorial I watched implied that pretty much any woven cotton would do and from my experience that seems to be right - though I’d imagine a heavy weight cotton (denim etc) would be very difficult.

I’m not sure on the edges curling - did you spread the wax to the edges of the fabric and dry it flat? Mine are fairly stiff now they’ve dried so don’t get any movement or curling.

Sorry realize I’ve rambled on.

Justgivemeasoddingname · 08/10/2018 21:11

This was just mentioned on another thread tonight....

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3388818-What-do-you-use-instead-of-plastic-sandwich-bags

AdoraBell · 08/10/2018 21:13

Not at all crafty here but I would buy them if they are available, does anyone know if they are?

florenceheadache · 08/10/2018 21:26

I’ve just made over 50. I used cotton meant for quilting. No edges rolling.
Eventually figured out a technique that didn’t involve grating the bees wax.

twosunbathingdogs · 08/10/2018 21:28

Has anyone done this with soya wax

MothershipG · 08/10/2018 21:34

I bought the beeswax...and not got around to making them so tips from those of you that have would be greatly appreciated. 🐝🐝🐝

RNBrie · 08/10/2018 21:38

I bought some and they were so expensive. They've all lasted about a year but I need new ones and I don't want to pay for them again so tempted to make my own... would be interested in knowing how best to do it!

drspouse · 08/10/2018 21:43

I make Velcro closed cloth sandwich bags instead.

Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 08/10/2018 23:41

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at my trial ones again and they weren't so curly and actually I think it was due to not having the beeswax evenly spread right to the edges, as when I hold them up to the light they are very patchy. I clearly need more practise.

Some people have asked about making them, there are loads of tutorials on YouTube . they work out very inexpensive compared to the shop bought ones by Bees Wrap. one video says it xots her about $2 for 3 as opposed to $20 for 3 to buy!

id say after my initial trial that beeswax pellets rather than faffing about grating a block is the way forward.

i will continue and report back!

OP posts:
Pigeonpost · 08/10/2018 23:49

Oh I'm keen to make some as love the ones I bought. I contacted a local beekeeper but she didn't have any wax spare.

Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 08/10/2018 23:49

Info on maintaining the wraps

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 08/10/2018 23:51

How to make them

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 08/10/2018 23:54

How to make sandwich wraps

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Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 08/10/2018 23:56
I love this one, at the end she tells you exactly how cheap they were to make.
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DioneTheDiabolist · 09/10/2018 00:01

I've made two and they are very useful. I'm going to make more and give some away at christmas.

Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 09/10/2018 00:01

Just also to say that they seem to be very easy to maintain, you just pop them back in the oven occasionally and the heat freshens them up like new. They are antibacterial, just wash with tepid soapy water.

The ones I made didn't have a beeswaxy smell, so I don't think they'd make the food taste funny.

OP posts:
GinaCarbonara · 09/10/2018 00:07

@AdoraBell I got mine from Lakeland, you can also get them on amazon.

I'm tempted to try making some now though!

Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 09/10/2018 00:08

Benefits seem to be that they are easy to make, eco friendly, reusable numerous times, easy to maintain - just pop back in the oven periodically, cheap, and make nice gifts!

Great to hear positive experiences of those that have made them. It has inspired me to persevere. If anyone has any tips, tutorials or photos to share that would be awesome!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFurryMenace · 09/10/2018 00:11

DrSpouse, how did you make those wraps? What is closed cloth? Sorry, I'm not knowledgable with fabrics, is it like the oilcloth type table cloth stuff?

OP posts:
Pigeonpost · 09/10/2018 01:24

I've ordered some beeswax pellets and have drawers full of fabric, excited! DH has really got on board with using them so hopefully we can be clingfilm free soon! Has anyone experienced any issues with them with strong smelling foods? Was reluctant to use them on an opened pack of smoked salmon in case they absorbed the smell.

drspouse · 09/10/2018 01:58

Furry they are bags not wraps and they are closed (well, until you open them).
I used a tablecloth fabric from Ikea which is much lighter than PVC but some people use just cotton.

florenceheadache · 09/10/2018 02:28

I have access to bees wax. I used blocks of 3 oz. I covered a baking sheet with parchement. Turned the oven on to 280F, 300F was too high, placed the fabric down with the block of wax on top. It only took 5-10 minutes for the wax to liquify. I worked the resulting puddle. Sometimes the shallow puddle was just enough to totally soak into the fabric with very little time in the oven.
Trying to not burn my fingers, I picked up the fabric by an edge and let the wax drip off. Waving it a bit, then transferred it onto another parchment to dry fully. No pinking the edges.
3oz made 4-5 dinner plate sized circles.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 09/10/2018 06:54

I used an iron and parchment paper. Was quite satisfying.