social

Saving Plastic Food Liners


Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts

Despite my husband's concerns that I'm becoming an episode of Hoarders, I like to save the waxed paper bags from cereals and other boxed foods. I use them when I microwave frozen veggies and other small dishes. I just slip the bowl into the waxed bag and fold the excess under the bowl to create a steam bag. I don't need to use any water with the frozen veggies, making them healthier.

Advertisement

And, you can wash them out and use them again. Yes, I said, use them again. Why not? It's only veggie steam that's come in contact with the bag. I just rinse it out with very hot tap water, turn it upside down in the dish-drying rack, and there you go.

I don't like using plastic cling wrap in the microwave, so this is a better alternative. And best of all, it's free and keeps some junk out of the landfills for a while. There are lots of other uses for these bags if you give it some thought.

Really frugal or really cheap? You decide.

By ~gloria from Western NY

Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 
January 8, 20120 found this helpful

As long as no animal products have touched the inside of the bag it should work for a few uses. It might not be a good idea to use one for very long, though.

 
January 9, 20121 found this helpful

These bags are wonderful for microwave baked potatoes. Just puncture potato as usual,fold into the bag and microwave for your units prescribed time. They come out so soft and fluffy. Yum! Yum!

Advertisement


Be careful of the steam when opening the bag.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 157 Feedbacks
July 4, 20220 found this helpful

im going to try this!thanks!

 
January 9, 20120 found this helpful

I enjoy being frugal very much. But are you sure the bag is health-safe to be used in microwave, or with heat?

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
January 9, 20122 found this helpful

Because of your concerns, I'll contact the makers of the original product and see what they have to say about the safety of using in the microwave. But in the mean time, I'll continue to use them, because after even 2 or 3 uses, they show little to no wear at all. I don't believe they are anything other than waxed paper, which has been shown to be the better alternative for use in microwaves. We all know that plastic cling wrap will melt and can give off bad fumes (and who knows what it's doing to our food!).

Advertisement

They are also good for wrapping a sandwich or leftovers to take to work or school for lunch. After all, your cereal or other product was once wrapped in it, and let's face it, some cereals sit on the shelf for a long time, so I'm thinking they are perfectly safe for other food uses.

But I appreciate your concerns. Nice to know people care.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
January 9, 20120 found this helpful

@jsham, Good idea! Normally, I don't like nuked "baked" potatoes. But maybe this will do the trick. Thanks for reading my tip.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
January 9, 20120 found this helpful

@Denise2003, Thanks for your comment, I agree. I usually keep them until they start to look "used". I'm sure we can use our own judgement on this.

Advertisement

I think that's what being frugal is all about. Using our heads. :)

 
January 9, 20120 found this helpful

I tried using them and the bag melted.

 
January 14, 20121 found this helpful

I use the cereal liners to defrost meat. When I buy large portions of meat and flash freeze it. I put several pieces (pork chops, chicken, etc.) in a large plastic zip top bag. Then when I need a couple of pieces for dinner, I put them in a plastic cereal liner to thaw. I open the bags to use as waxed paper on the counter and to cover food in the microwave to keep it from splattering all over. I feel so good about re-using them instead of tossing them with the empty box in the recycle bin. I even have DH using them.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
February 4, 20120 found this helpful

I wonder how they would work when preserving autumn leaves? Remember doing that between sheets of waxed paper and an old iron on low?

Advertisement

Same concept I suppose. I'll try it with my grandkids next fall.

 
February 18, 20120 found this helpful

I save these liners as well to use for flattening puff wheat cake - it doesn't stick to the top of the cake and leaves your hands clean. I also make several cakes at once so I flip the cakes onto the wax paper so I can use the pan for the next cake. You only have to dirty one cake pan. Once the cakes are cooled you can then slide the paper and cake onto the cutting board to slice. This keeps the cutting board clean as well.

 
May 30, 20190 found this helpful

I'd be concerned about the inner plastic bags of cereals and crackers leaching chemicals since they're not meant to be heated in a microwave.

 

Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 
In This Page
< Previous
Categories
Better Living Green Living ReusingJanuary 8, 2012
Pages
More
🎂
Birthday Ideas!
🍀
St. Patrick's Ideas!
💘
Valentine's Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-01-22 17:06:45 in 4 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Saving-Plastic-Food-Liners.html