Transparent film is essential in the kitchen. In fact, it is especially useful for storing food in the refrigerator, packaging or freezing it. Practical and versatile, it can even be used for other purposes in the home. The only problem: sometimes it sticks to the hands, stretches incorrectly or breaks during handling. However, there is a way to avoid these drawbacks. Quickly discover this smart solution.

What is cling film?

Plastic film is a thin plastic film with high insulating power. It’s usually made from polyvinylidene chloride (PVC) or polyethylene, materials that tend to attract static electricity, which is why they stick so easily to themselves and other surfaces.

The advantage of cling film is that it does not let air pass through and therefore prevents food oxidation: it is therefore very useful for storing products in the refrigerator, such as vegetables, hard cheeses or cold cuts. It can also be used to cover our raw or cooked dishes, but also the molds used for recipes that do not require cooking, as it facilitates their removal.

Its biggest drawback: cling film is not suitable for storing greasy or oily food, as plastic particles move over food, so they don’t hold properly. Also avoid applying it on hot foods because it can stick or stretch. We usually wait for the dish to cool before wrapping it. But there is a solution to the problem.

Why should cling film be stored in the freezer?

To avoid the stress of tearing or sticking, all you have to do is store the roll of cling film in the freezer. Yes, it may seem strange to you, since you are used to storing it in a drawer or in a kitchen cupboard. But it turns out that very cold temperatures help change the molecules on the surface of the adhesive film. As a result, it will no longer be charged with static electricity and will not stick directly to your hands. It is true that after a few minutes, as soon as it reaches room temperature, it will start to stick again. But, in the meantime, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to unroll it without stress or hassle.

NB – If you often freeze food wrapped in cling film, be sure to use 2-3 layers to preserve it properly.

Transparent film: multiple uses in the kitchen

This plastic wrap is not only useful for covering food bowls. You can also use it to wrap fruits like bananas to keep them fresh. Of course, the same principle can be done with cherries, berries, or grapes. It is also possible to wrap aromatic herbs and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, which you can store in the fridge. Have you run out of aluminum foil? For wrapping and transporting your sandwiches, cling film will work well.

Another interesting tip: it will be a great help to stop a bottle from leaking by wrapping the neck with plastic wrap, before replacing the cap.

Can you use cling film in the oven?

In the traditional oven, no cling film can be used: PVC films can withstand up to 100°C, while PE films can withstand up to 60°C. In other words, stretch film has no place there, because it runs the risk of melting quickly at very high temperatures. For cooking in the oven, parchment paper and aluminum foil are recommended. However, some cling film can be used in the microwave oven. To be safe, always be sure to check the instructions on the product packaging. This will prevent you from making some mistakes.