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–+ servings
Colorful homemade beeswax food wraps.

Beeswax Wraps Recipe Tutorial

Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC
Simple instructions that show you how to make your own beeswax wraps. All natural and reusable, these food wraps are a great way to reduce the use of throw away plastic.
5 from 2 votes
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Tools

Supplies
 

  • 4 pieces cotton cloth squares cut to desired size - 10"-12" most common
  • 50 grams beeswax
  • 10 grams pine resin
  • 1.5 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Measure beeswax by weight and place in a double boiler insert. I always use weight (by grams) to measure materials when using my beeswax recipes.
    You may purchase beeswax pastilles. They are easy to work with and measure.
    However, if you buy a block of raw wax from an area beekeeper, it is easy to break into chunks as well.
    image of melting beeswax in pot to make food wraps
  • Measure and grind pine resin crystals. Resin helps make the cloths slightly sticky. If they end up being “stickier” than you prefer, use less resin next time.
    The chunks of resin will melt in the beeswax but very slowly. For faster melting, wrap the pine resin chunks in a cloth and beat them with a hammer.
    This will reduce the resin to powder form for faster melting. Pour resin into the melting beeswax and stir well.
    Pine resin powder for use in beeswax food wrap recipe image.
  • Now we are ready to add a bit of oil.
    I use Olive Oil because that is what I have on hand. Other crafters enjoy using Jojoba oil or even coconut oil.
    Measure and pour the oil into the melting pot. Keep the heat at a medium to low level and continue to slowly heat the mixture until everything is liquid.
    Stir well as the pine resin will tend to clump at the bottom. When all is melted and mixed well, it is time for the next step.
    Oils being added to food wrap recipe image.
  • Preheat your oven to 175 ° F.
    Line a flat baking sheet pan or cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Place a cloth square on the pan and place in the oven for 2 minutes.
    Warming the cloth helps it absorb the melted beeswax mixture. The heat of the pan prevents the wax from cooling too quickly.
    After 2 minutes, remove from oven – using an oven mitten.
    Flat pan lined in aluminum foil image.
  • Brush Beeswax Mixture on Cloth
    Place the warm pan on a heat safe surface that you have covered with aluminum foil. (for easy clean up).
    Use your brush to paint a light coat of your recipe on the cloth. 
    Do not put too much, we only want just enough to coat the surface. Only paint one side.
    melted beeswax brushed on food wrap image.
  • Place your pan (and cloth) back in the oven for 4 minutes. Then, remove and carefully lift up the edge of the cloth.
    Does it look wet or dark on the back? If not, lightly brush more of your mixture on the spots that look dry and place back in the oven for a minute or two.
    If the back of the cloth looks damp and saturated, it has enough wax. Using tongs or your fingers if not too hot, lift the cloth straight up by 2 corners.
    Gently fan it in the air for a minute or two. The beeswax will set quickly. Then you can lay the beeswax wrap down flat on a piece of aluminum foil to allow it to cool.
    Front and back of a beeswax food wrap image.

Video

Notes

Notes: 
Make a couple first to experiment with the exact ingredient ratio preferred.  If you find them too stick, use less pine resin in the next batch.
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