Films and papers in the kitchen


Films and papers in the kitchen
It's now fairly easy to find a range of papers and plastic films that are invaluable, and sometimes indispensable, kitchen aids.

Here's a quick overview of the main products available, and what you can and can't do with them.
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Last modified on: September 3rd 2024

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Stretch film

Film étirable

This is a very thin plastic film that can be stretched over a container, and is generally used to protect food from the air by"filming" it, i.e. covering it with a layer of stretched film.

You'll find it in supermarkets in rolls of around twenty meters called "stretch film", "adhesive film" or "freshness film", or in much larger rolls in professional stores. It's a must-have for your kitchen.

Classic stretch film withstands the cold of the freezer or fridge, but it can't be heated without melting. So it can't be put in the oven or microwave.

Baking stretch film

Film cuisson

This is almost the same as the previous one, identical in appearance and a little more expensive, but can be heated up to 175°C (347°F). It is therefore resistant to both heat and cold. You'll find it under the name of cooking film or microwave film. Check the label to make sure it can withstand the temperature you're considering.

It can be used in both conventional and microwave ovens.

Note: if you drop a roll of stretch film on the corner, the whole roll will be practically unusable afterwards, as it's almost impossible to unroll it properly into an even sheet.

Baking bags

Sac cuisson

These look like freezer bags, but are in fact made of a kind of nylon that withstands high temperatures of up to 220°C (428°F). Originating in North America, they enable quite extraordinary cooking without the addition of fat, as in the case of the 5-hour volatile. They are known as "cooking bags" or "poultry bags".

They can be used in the traditional oven or in the microwave. See the page on good addresses to find out where to buy them.

Parchment paper

papier sulfurisé

A little obsolete nowadays, this is a slightly stiff and translucent white paper, resistant to baking, which was much used in pastry-making to protect a mold or try to prevent a preparation from sticking while baking.

Quoted in old books and recipes, it was often necessary to wet the reverse side of the paper to be able to peel off what had been baked on it (macaroons, for example).

It's tending to disappear, replaced by baking paper (see below).

Baking paper

papier siliconé ou cuisson

Baking parchment is a slightly stiff, translucent white paper that resists baking and is ideal for pastry-making, as whatever preparation or pastry is baked on it can be easily peeled off thanks to its slippery surface. It can be found in supermarkets in rolls of around twenty meters, under the name "papier cuisson" or "papier à four", or in professional stores, in packs of sheets of various sizes, under the name "papier siliconé".

Please note: baking paper has two sides, which you can distinguish by running your finger over them. One side is slippery and seems to be greased; this is the top side, and it's on this side that you should bake your preparations.

It can be used in both conventional and microwave ovens.

Aluminum foil

papier aluminium

Aluminum foil is a thin sheet of aluminum foil generally used to wrap food for protection or cooking. It can be found in supermarkets in rolls of around 30 meters, under the names "aluminum foil", "aluminium foil", or in much larger rolls in professional stores.

It can only be used in a conventional oven, or on the barbecue, never in the microwave.

Note: if you drop a roll of aluminum foil on the corner, the whole roll will be practically unusable, as it's almost impossible to unroll it properly into an even sheet.

Absorbent paper or paper towels

papier absorbant

Absorbent paper is a thick, embossed roll of paper designed to absorb liquids.

It is used to dry preparations or products placed on it, after or in place of a spin-dryer, but also to wipe everything down, hence its name.

You'll find it in supermarkets in rolls about 20 cm wide, known as "paper towels" or "paper towels".

Dispensers

Distributeur de papiers

Having several of these papers or films in your kitchen means having to store several rolls in a cupboard or drawer, which isn't always practical.

Instead, I suggest using a wall-mounted dispenser, which allows you to quickly help yourself to a sheet of three (or more) different rolls.

Save money

cling film in roll

As I said, you can buy rolls of about 10 meters in supermarkets, but there is something more smart to do: you can, in shops for professional, buy rolls of 300 meters for a very good price.

Don't be afraid by the length, 300 meters seems huge, but you will keep it for years, and most of all it's 10 times less expensive for a best quality!.

parchment paper in sheets

It's quite the same thing for cooking parchment, you can find it in box of 500 sheets.

This it's 8 times less expensive, and the sheets are flats (instead of roll) when use, and be reused several times.

In those 2 case, don't hesitate you will save money.

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The 9 comments already posted on this page
  • As the creator of the original roasting film and bags (with brand name "LOOK!") from an old church hall in St Albans in 1966 I was peeved to see them described as having originated in America - they most definitely did not!
    Posted by Bryan Ruskin march 13th 2019 at 15:37 n° 9
  • Which one?
    Posted by jh november 2nd 2016 at 08:11 n° 8
  • Is it sticky one side?
    Posted by Anonymous november 1st 2016 at 08:11 n° 7
  • Hi Daki,

    I had buy cooking bag at Tesco, it was a very reasonable price, and you have huge ones for turkey or big poultry that we haven't in France, lucky you are!
    Sorry, no idea for cling film, except maybe to look in yellow pages for shops for chefs?
    Posted by jh june 26th 2015 at 12:01 n° 6
  • Hi Jean, thanks for the article! Any suggestions for cheap cooking film and oven bags? Am in UK now, but I see the cooking film's box in french.
    Posted by daki june 26th 2015 at 00:24 n° 5
  • Sorry I don't know either.

    Guys, you have really strange questions...
    Posted by jh july 19th 2012 at 03:00 n° 4
  • Can medical table exam paper be used in cooking?
    Posted by Anonymous july 18th 2012 at 23:42 n° 3
  • I don't know
    Posted by jh july 16th 2012 at 12:16 n° 2
  • When was foil first used in Britain?
    Posted by Anonymous july 15th 2012 at 22:22 n° 1
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