The answer may surprise you, but it’s far from straightforward.
Is it safe to heat plastic wrap this way?
Why Heat Plastic Wrap, Anyway?
Thomas Demarczyk / Getty Images
In a video for Cooking Light, ChefAkhtar Nawabdemonstrates how to cook a short ribs in the oven.
The purpose of this common restaurant technique is to seal moisture into the food.
However, the hack had a few viewers scratching their heads and screaming in the comment section.
Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images
Those videos are a number of years old, but the topic still provokes strong responses.
Is that brilliant…or risky?
Is It Safe To Cook With Plastic Wrap?
Lori Rice
The turkey breasts are baked at a temperature of 250F for 2 to 3 hours.
Get the Good Stuff
It turns out that not all plastic wraps are created equal.
Some brands' formulations break down under heat more readily than others.
Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
If you plan on heating the plastic wrap, spring for a quality brand.
Waxed paper will melt and leave a greasy, waxy residue, so don’t use that.
If you’re microwaving, consider using an inverted microwave-safe glass or ceramic plate over your bowl or dish.
