The 6 Greatest Reusable Beeswax Wraps of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

It’s getting simpler than ever to rid your family of single-use plastics, and we’ve reviewed most of the reusable merchandise on the market: silicone storage baggage, meals storage containers, grocery baggage, and Swedish dishcloths, that are stand-ins for paper towels (and a Severe Eats staff-favorite). 

So as to add to that rising listing, I took a gander at one other standard reusable family merchandise: beeswax wraps. These wraps are usually made from cotton fabric that’s coated with wax, resin, and oil, which helps them cling to numerous ins and outs. However how nicely do they actually stick? 

To search out out, I examined 10 choices through the use of them to wrap and retailer an avocado, seal a chrome steel mixing bowl holding some grapes, and extra, to seek out the easiest. To get the complete breadth of wraps on the market, I additionally evaluated silicone and vegan units, which use plant-based wax as a substitute of beeswax. 

The Winners, at a Look

This set comes with seven wraps: two small, three medium, and two giant. The smallest measurement was excellent for protecting citrus halves or avocados, whereas the bigger ones comfortably match on bowls and round bigger produce. The wraps stayed adhesive all through testing, too, even after a number of washes. 

Although barely stiffer than the Trifecta, as soon as warmed up with my palms this wrap crimped securely onto bowls and simply wrapped round items of meals. It additionally stored avocado halves almost blemish-free.

This set breaks all the way down to $1.67 per wrap (on the time of writing), essentially the most inexpensive of all of the choices I examined. All of the wraps simply caught onto bowls and stored browning minimal on the halved avocado.

This roll provides you the choice to customise your wrap measurement—which is nice when you’ve got oddball-shaped substances (parmesan rinds, baguette butts, and many others) or discover pre-cut wraps too massive or too small; this fashion, you may make it JUST proper. This wrap did have a slight patchouli-like odor (doubtless from the resin within the coating), nevertheless it light after use and washing.

This was one other nice roll possibility, with enjoyable patterns and sticky (if a bit of stiff) materials that clung simply to cans, halved fruit, and cheese.

As a substitute of beeswax, this wrap is coated in coconut oil and plant-based wax—and it labored simply in addition to the non-vegan providing from the identical model. It additionally had a faint patchouli-esque odor. 

The Exams

• Bowl Take a look at: I stuffed a small steel mixing bowl with a handful of inexperienced grapes and coated it with every wrap. I then shook the coated bowl 10 occasions to see if the wrap stayed safe.
• Avocado Take a look at: I halved ripe avocados and wrapped every half within the reusable wraps; I additionally wrapped one in plastic wrap and one in aluminum foil as controls. I saved the avocado halves within the crisper drawer of my fridge and, after three days, checked the avocados for blemishes. I additionally famous if the wrap was nonetheless malleable after being within the fridge and if it was straightforward to wash. 
• Stain Take a look at: I smeared one tablespoon of marinara sauce on every wrap, let it sit at room temperature for half-hour, after which cleaned it utilizing cool water, gentle cleaning soap, and a sponge. After drying, I famous if any stains or odors remained. 
• Match Take a look at: All through testing, I used every wrap to cowl varied meals, together with halved citrus and fruit, bread, and open cans. 

What We Realized

What You Can (and Can’t) Retailer in Beeswax Wraps 

Whereas it is likely to be tempting to go wild and wrap the whole lot in beeswax wraps, there are some no-nos. The primary is to not wrap uncooked meat or fish. Because the wraps are cleaned with cool water, in the event that they will get soaked with meat juice, the wrap will mainly change into a bacteria-infested contamination rag—yuck. You may wish to additionally keep away from wrapping sticky, gooey objects like pizza dough because it’ll adhere to the wrap and will strip it of its waxy layer (to not point out it’d be a ache to unwrap). Whereas some manufacturers advise avoiding wrapping acidic meals, I had no points once I coated citrus.

Wash Wraps With Care

Practically the entire wraps I examined advocate washing with cool water and dish cleaning soap—and for good purpose. Because the clingy nature of those reusable wraps comes from a coating of oils and wax, in case you scrub them with scorching water and harsh cleansers, you’ll strip away that coating and find yourself with barely oily cotton cloths that gained’t persist with something. Wash your reusable wraps like delicate laundry—with cool water and a fragile contact. 

Beeswax Wraps Saved Meals Recent 

Maintaining a halved avocado superbly creamy, pale inexperienced, and blemish-free is a Herculean activity. However a lot of the reusable wraps did a great job at sustaining a recent look. The Abeego and Bee’s Wax had been Allstars on this area; the uncovered avocado solely had a pale brown tint, with no darkish splotches, and the feel was nonetheless creamy and agency. Different wraps, just like the Public Items, had been stiff and troublesome to wrap tightly across the avocado, which let extra oxidation happen. That stated, even the worst beeswax wraps did higher than the plastic wrap, which resulted in a slowly rotting avocado replete with splotches and a gooey texture close to the peel. (Wish to know one of the simplest ways to retailer an avocado? Aluminum foil. It did an excellent job of conserving the halved fruit recent and blemish-free). 

Wraps Break in With Time and Use

A few of the wraps had been downright inflexible once I first used them, particularly choices from Meli and Bee’s Wrap; I needed to heat them up fairly a bit with my palms earlier than they grew to become supple. That stated, after just a few makes use of and washes, stiffer wraps tended to interrupt in and soften up, making them simpler to make use of. The exception was the Public Items wrap, which remained stiff and have become papery after washing. 

Gentle and Sticky Was Higher

The above assertion is one thing I agree with in relation to dessert consistencies, too. However again to the purpose: sticky, smooth wraps had been simpler to suit round, nicely, the whole lot. In my bowl take a look at, malleable wraps, just like the Trifecta and Akeeko, had been straightforward to mould and crimp and match securely across the bowl’s edges; even once I shook the bowls (and turned them the other way up), they stayed put. They had been additionally straightforward to mould round oddball-shaped meals like a random half a starfruit, and a slippery, wonkily minimize honeydew melon. The one draw back to smooth and sticky wraps was that generally they clung to the meals merchandise in query a bit of too greedily; the Bee Carefree wrap stripped off the floor of the avocado once I eliminated it. 

The Standards: What to Search for in Reusable Beeswax Wraps 

First off, they need to be made from some type of fabric coated in wax—the one silicone wrap I examined was actually horrible and didn’t persist with something. I evaluated reusable wraps that got here in pre-cut sizes, in addition to rolls that allow you to minimize what you want—each are good choices, however take into account your wants when selecting between them. The wrap needs to be straightforward to mould onto quite a lot of objects, and it ought to stick properly; it also needs to retain its stickiness after washing and common use for a great period of time. 

Our Favourite Reusable Beeswax Wraps 

What we favored: This versatile set is available in three sizes: two small, three medium, and two giant. Every wrap was malleable and crimped properly onto fruit, cheese, bowls, and extra. The wraps had been additionally straightforward to wash, retained their stickiness after washing, and didn’t stain an excessive amount of even when flippantly painted with tomato sauce. 

What we didn’t like: The three sizes are versatile, however not fairly as a lot as reducing a bit of wrap to suit.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton, natural jojoba oil, beeswax, tree resin
• Dimensions: Two small-sized (7 x 8 inches), three medium-sized (10 x 11 inches), and two large-sized (13 x 14 inches)
• Acknowledged lifespan: NA 
• Disposal: Can be utilized as a fabric as soon as it loses its stickiness
• Cleansing and care: Wash with gentle cleaning soap and funky water; air dry

What we favored: Whereas barely stiff, as soon as warmed up with my palms the wraps had been straightforward to crimp onto the perimeters of a bowl and wrap round an avocado. Whereas they did stain after being brushed with tomato sauce, it was very faint. This wrap stored a halved avocado almost blemish-free, with minimal browning on the minimize floor. 

What we didn’t like: The set solely comes with three wraps, and they’re a bit of stiffer than the others I examined. They’re additionally one of many pricier choices, clocking in at round $6 apiece on the time of publish. 

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton-blend material, hemp material, beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil 
• Dimensions: One small sq. (7 x 7 inches), one medium sq. (10 x 10 inches), and one giant sq. (13 x 13 inches)
• Acknowledged lifespan: NA
• Disposal: Compostable 
• Cleansing and care: Hand-wash with cool water and gentle cleaning soap

What we favored: This was one other wrap that stored the halved avocado in good condition, with solely mild browning and no darkish spots. Each bit was very malleable and simply molded to a chrome steel bowl’s rim, staying safe when the grape-filled bowl was shaken. This set of 9 wraps was additionally one of many most cost-effective, at round $1.67 per piece. 

What we didn’t like: There wasn’t a lot I didn’t like about these wraps, although they did stain after the tomato sauce take a look at. Additionally, there’s just one large-sized wrap. 

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton, natural jojoba oil, beeswax, tree resin
• Dimensions: 5 small wraps (7 x 8 inches), three medium wraps (10 x 11 inches), and one giant wrap (13 x 14 inches)
• Acknowledged lifespan: NA
• Disposal: NA
• Cleansing and care: Hand-wash with chilly water and alcohol-free cleaning soap and air dry
  

What we favored: This roll of beeswax wrap is nice as a result of you possibly can minimize out the precise form wanted, lowering waste even additional. Whereas the wrap was a bit of stiff at first, it broke in after use and simply molded to a myriad of meals. It additionally stored the sliced avocado in respectable form, with only some brown spots. 

What we didn’t like: This wrap did have a patchouli-esque aroma, however after washing, the scent light.   

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton, beeswax, plant oil, and tree resin
• Dimensions: 14 x 52 inches (a bit of over 4 ft)
• Acknowledged lifespan: 1 yr
• Disposal: Compostable; may also be used as a hearth starter
• Cleansing and care: Hand-wash in cool water with gentle dish cleaning soap, and air dry; keep away from publicity to warmth and scorching water

What we favored: This wrap is available in quite a lot of enjoyable patterns and was tremendous sticky, if a bit of stiff; however, over time, it grew to become extra malleable. It additionally did a great job conserving the avocado recent, and had no noticeable staining after the tomato sauce take a look at (although the wrap I used had a brilliant papaya sample that may’ve hidden any blemishes). 

What we didn’t like: It was a bit of stiff at first and took extra effort to tightly wrap the halved avocado. 

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton, Hawaiian beeswax, tree resin, plant oils
• Dimensions: 13.5 x 42 inches (round 4 ft lengthy)
• Acknowledged lifespan: 1 to 2 years (about 150 washes)
• Disposal: NA
• Cleansing and care: Hand-wash with gentle cleaning soap and funky water, and air dry

What we favored: In case you’re vegan and/or keep away from bee merchandise, it is a nice possibility that carried out nicely. Just like the non-vegan Bee’s Wrap, this was a bit of stiff at first however broke in rapidly; as soon as this occurred, it was simpler to tightly wrap round objects like open cans and halved citrus. 

What we didn’t like: Because it was stiffer at first, it was harder to tightly wrap across the avocado, which led to some darkish splotches. It additionally has a faint patchouli scent, although this light with use and washing. 

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton, plant-based wax, natural plant oil (coconut oil and soy), tree resin
• Dimensions: 14 x 52 inches (a bit of over 4 ft)
• Acknowledged lifespan: 1 yr
• Disposal: Compostable; may also be used as a hearth starter
• Cleansing and care: Hand-wash in cool water with gentle dish cleaning soap, and air dry; keep away from publicity to warmth and scorching water

The Competitors 

• Bee Carefree Reusable Beeswax Meals Wrap: Whereas I cherished the patterns on this malleable wrap, they misplaced stickiness after washing. The avocado additionally obtained a bit of extra browned than it did with different wraps.
• Public Items Reusable Meals Storage Wraps: This set of wraps was stiff and arduous to wrap round varied objects and obtained closely creased after use. It additionally misplaced a lot of its stickiness after washing.
• W&P Reusable Silicone Stretch Wrap: This set was the one one I examined that wasn’t made from beeswax. However the silicone wraps didn’t persist with something (aside from themselves), leading to grapes flying in all places through the bowl take a look at, and the avocado getting darkish brown and slimy. 
• Lilybee Wraps: Whereas I favored these wraps, they had been a bit of too sticky (they had been arduous to unfold) and so they took weeks to reach since they’re shipped from New Zealand.

FAQs

Does beeswax wrap maintain meals recent?

We discovered beeswax wraps did a great job of conserving minimize vegetables and fruit recent; whereas not excellent, they led to much less browning than produce wrapped in silicone wraps or plastic wrap. 

What’s the finest materials for beeswax wraps?

Many of the wraps we examined had been made from cotton and/or hemp fabric and labored nicely; the one wraps that weren’t made of those materials had been the silicone ones, and so they didn’t persist with something. 

What number of occasions are you able to reuse beeswax wraps?

Whereas it varies, typically, beeswax wraps will be reused for round one yr. That stated, in case you’re washing the wraps in scorching water and stripping them of their wax, they gained’t final very lengthy in any respect. 

What are the disadvantages of beeswax wraps?

They aren’t fairly as clingy as plastic wrap and change into stiff when within the fridge for some time. Nevertheless, in our assessments, beeswax wraps stored sliced produce more energizing than plastic wrap. They may also be expensive, although their reusability and longevity make them a great deal. 

How do you eliminate beeswax wraps?

Whereas beeswax wraps can final a very long time (some manufacturers declare their wraps are good as much as 150 washes), they may finally lose their stick. Lots of the manufacturers we examined recommend utilizing the leftover fabric as a hearth starter or cleansing rag, and a few are even compostable. 

Why We’re the Consultants

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor for Severe Eats, the place she’s been testing gear for nearly two years. 
• She has a background in journalism and has additionally completed stints as a bartender and prepare dinner. 
• She has written dozens of critiques and articles, together with knife rolls, butter dishes, mandolines, and extra. 
• For this assessment, Grace examined 10 units of reusable wraps (most of which had been fabric coated with wax, resin, and oil; one set was made from silicone). She used every wrap to cowl a bowl crammed with a handful of grapes and to wrap halved avocados and different substances. She additionally painted every wrap with one tablespoon of tomato sauce to see in the event that they stained.