Abeego, natural reusable plastic wrap alternative

[GlorifiedRice]

http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=bee%27s+wrap+Natural+Alternative+to+Plastic+Wrap&tag=20140000-20

 

Saw this on the web today, its called Abeego, its a natural reusable plastic wrap alternative. Wash and reuse, comes in

a myriad of configurations...has anyone here used it? Does it eventually stink?

 

I just dont see how it wouldnt degrade eventually,

[SylviaLovegren]

Haven't heard of these.  Here's a link to Amazon reviews:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Set-Abeego-Food-Storage-Flats/dp/B00F67QS7Q#customerReviews

[pastrygirl]

Sounds interesting.  I'm sure they do degrade eventually, looks like they hope to offer about a year lifespan.  It does seem like they would crack when cold, I guess it depends on how heavy the wax is.

[andiesenji]

It's really funny, but I remember when I was a child (1940s)  there was beeswaxed muslin used in the kitchen for all kinds of tasks.

 

The muslin was washed to remove the sizing, stretched on frames and the beeswax rubbed into the weave. One of the women would then iron the muslin so the wax would melt into and meld with the fabric.

Some was formed into "bags" and some doughs that required long rising were hung on the wall behind the kitchen range - where it was warm.

 

The stuff was used in the "spring house" to hold soft cheeses, butter and etc.

 

It seems that what was old is new again...

[Smithy]

Andie, that's very interesting: instead of a replacement for plastic wrap, this is the precursor! Do you remember how long it lasted, whether (and how) the beeswax-permeated muslin had to be cleaned?

[andiesenji]

They lasted for years, were wiped down with vinegar/water and hung to dry.  If they began to leak, it was not difficult to add more beeswax, iron and refresh them.  There was one huge sheet that covered the entire top of the kitchen work table that was used for rolling out pastries, especially the sticky ones.

 

Incidentally, the exact same method was used to make rainproof coats and capes going back centuries.  My great grandmother said that the coachmen when she was a girl, wore "greatcoats" with capes over the shoulders that were waxed - just heavier material.

 

Even now you can buy waxed coats and jackets, popular in the UK and Australia, NZ, so the process is still being used and those that use beeswax are a lot more "green" than the plastic stuff we see here.  However, because of the cost of beeswax, many of the manufacturers now use paraffin.

Edited January 10, 2015 by andiesenji (log)