Tell me how to live without clingfilm!

[GordontheGopher]

I'm obsessed with it and addicted. I can't see how to live without it.

I guess the two main uses are:

1. Covering food in fridge.

1. Heating food in microwave (yes I know you are probably going to say I shouldn't be using a microwave either... tell me how to live without that as well!).

I never ever use cling film

if covering food in fridge - I usually decamp to a basin and cover with a small side plate. or put it in a sandwich box type thing.

I also never use it in the microwave use a glass jug with a saucer on the top, works well cos the lip of the jug provides the ventilation.

I don't heat meals on plates and things but if I was I would cover with another plate up the other way and just off centre so it's not sealed.

tupperware pots for covering food in fridge.

You can buy plate covers for microwave.

I don't buy cling film ever.

Covering food in fridge is dead easy, after all cling film hasn't really been around that long in the general scheme of things has it.

Use either plastic containers (Tupperware or lock&lock type perhaps) or the time-honoured method of putting food in a dish then covering it with a small plate. Or the other way round - food on plate, cover with small bowl.

I don't use microwave much, but when I do I tend to use pyrex dishes which have their own lids. As long as the dish/jug is large enough, the food doesn't boil over.

On the very very rare occasion I reheat a plate of food, I don't tend to cover the plate anyway (it never dries out or anything), but otherwise I would just use another plate like Furball says.

Or if you regularly reheat more than one plated meal, you can buy those plastic sets which let you stack and cover plates.

1. Tupperwear - lock & lock is my friend . Takes a while to build up a good supply as they are quite pricey...but well worth it.

1. I would say pirex as well...but I haven't had a microwave for over 2 years so can't quite remember what I did LOL.....Don't miss it at all. What do you use your microwave for?

you can get a big plastic lid thing for things in the microwave instead of clingfilm, and plates in hte fridge

for covering bowls in fridge
for microwaving

like Furball I use plates as lids for bowls when microwaving - the seal is enough to stop stuff drying out but not so tight it explodes

we save containers from otehr stuff to keep things in the fridge - our recycling men onyl take plastic bottles so we are left with margarine tubs, icecream tubs, soup tubs etc

i never buy it it is one of the thins i just dont need

i use a nother plate or bowl as a lid

dont use tupperware either because it is too smelly and sewaty

Did I just fall for one of those urban myths, but it isn't such a good idea to heat food up in the microwave with cling wrap as the heat does release some nasties from the plastic into the food??

I usually decant my food into plastic containers for my fridge and heat the food uncovered in the microwave...

um - for both of those uses you could just cover with another plate.

allegedly it's a bad idea
a) to heat food in direct contact with the clingfilm
b) to heat food in plastic containers
c) to use any plastic containers with 3, 6 or 7 in the recyling triangle symbol
d) to use plastic containers at all

choose your level of paranoia...

I don't have any. I have lots of really sad little tupperware type boxes and I suppose I use foil from time to time (which can be washed and re-used or put in the recycling.

mrsbadger.

For the fridge I use bought 'tupperware' tubs or washed out old margarine tubs, or just a bowl with a plate over it.

For the microwave I don't usually cover things but if I think the food might bubble over I use kitchen roll . I should probably buy one of those splattershields instead.

i am lazy so tupperware sounds like more washing up more storage and more mental clutter

1. Find yourself a local takeaway that uses plastic containers
2. Eat lots of takeaway
3. Reuse the containers

Not very green, but works for me

Ooh yes I've got loads of those. And thanks for your other advice everyone. Might even go cold turkey and wrap the clingfilm round myself instead.

what's the health concern / paranoia about microwves? I've always had a sneaking suspicion ...............

My time is very limited at the moment (and very impatient children)so have been using it quite a bit for reheating the kids food eg leftovers from lunch for tea etc, also for defrosting frozen food - cubes of cheese sauce etc. Someone tell me a better way! (I defrost ebm in a bottle warmer)

GtheG - Can we see photos?

Er...

Do you want me to get you some of these?

Haven't used it for years. I use those takeaway containers for in the fridge and usually use those in the microwave too-if you loosen the lid it ventilates without splattering

I cover with a plate (what Throckenholt said).
I re-use little plastic bags (the sort my lentils or bread came in) for things like storing opened cheese in, or the kids lunchbox sandwiches, etc.
Have NEVER bought clingfilm, either.
Keep things like margerine tubs, too, to reuse, to store food in or take out for picnics, etc.