Beeswax wraps vs silicone bags: which does what
Quick answer
Beeswax wraps for anything you fold or wrap: cheese, half fruit, sandwiches, bowl covers. Silicone bags for anything wet or that needs to freeze, boil or seal upside down: soups, marinades, sous-vide, meal-prep.
What each does well
- Beeswax wraps — moulds to shape, breathes (great for cheese), fully compostable when done. Not for raw meat, not for hot food.
- Silicone bags — dishwasher, freezer, microwave, sous-vide safe. Genuinely leakproof when the seal is closed properly. Not biodegradable, but lasts years.
What neither of them does
Replace cling film across a whole roasted tray. For that, use a plate or a proper lidded pan.
Care
Beeswax wraps: cold water only, no soap for stains. Rewax annually with a rewax bar (or a mix of beeswax, tree resin, jojoba). Silicone bags: top rack dishwasher, prop open to dry.
Our recommended picks
Bee's Wrap Assorted 3-Pack
The zero-waste household still buying rolls of cling film.
- 55g
- Organic cotton
- BPA-free
Bee's Wrap Lunch Pack
Lunchbox households wanting to skip cling wrap and ziplocks.
- 80g
- Organic cotton
- BPA-free
Ever Eco Beeswax Wrap Set (S/M/L)
Sandwich wraps, bowl covers, half-avocados.
- 60g
- Organic cotton
- BPA-free
Stasher Sandwich Bag
School lunches, work sandwiches, snacks in bags.
- 450ml
- 90g
- Platinum silicone
Stasher Stand-Up Mid Silicone Bag
Meal prep, freezing soups and stocks, sandwiches on the go.
- 1650ml
- 145g
- Platinum silicone
Frequently asked
- Are beeswax wraps antibacterial?
- Beeswax and tree resin have mild antibacterial properties, which is why cheese keeps well in them. They are still not for raw meat.
- Can silicone bags go in the oven?
- Stasher bags are oven-safe to 218°C. Do not exceed this temperature, and do not place directly on a heating element.
- What happens to old silicone bags?
- Not kerbside recyclable. TerraCycle and some brand return programs accept them for downcycling.
Sources
- https://www.beeswrap.com/
- https://www.stasherbag.com/