Baking Paper, Greaseproof Paper, Cling Wrap and Foil: A Commercial Kitchen Guide
Baking paper and greaseproof paper aren't the same - and cling wrap and foil each have a job they do best. Here's which wrap to reach for in a commercial kitchen, with a side-by-side table.
Most commercial kitchens stock all four - cling wrap, baking paper, greaseproof paper and foil - and most teams use baking paper and greaseproof paper as if they are the same thing. They are not. One has a silicone coating built for oven heat; the other is a grease barrier that will scorch if you push it past its limit.
Reach for the wrong one and you get torn liners, stuck trays, or a roll that sits unused in the dry store. This guide breaks down what each wrap is actually for in a busy kitchen, where each one fails, and how to stock the right mix - with a side-by-side table you can keep next to the bench.
The differences are small on paper and expensive in practice. A roll bought for the wrong job either gets misused - foil scorching under a grill it should never touch, or baking paper softening in the cold room - or it sits in the dry store while someone reorders the one they actually needed. Knowing which is which is the difference between three rolls that earn their shelf space and a cupboard full of half-used boxes.
The short version
- Cling wrap - cold cover, fridge storage and portion prep. Check the label before microwaving.
- Baking paper - silicone-coated and oven-safe; the non-stick liner for trays and bakes.
- Greaseproof paper - a grease and moisture barrier for wrapping, lining baskets and deli service. Not for the oven.
- Aluminium foil - high heat, roasting and steam retention. Keep it off acidic foods.
The most common mix-up
Baking Paper vs Greaseproof Paper: Are They the Same Thing?
No. Baking paper is coated with silicone, which makes it non-stick and oven-safe to around 220-240C. Greaseproof paper is pressed dense and lightly treated to resist oil and moisture, but it is not built for sustained oven heat - it will brown and scorch.
In practice: line baking trays and cake tins with baking paper; reach for greaseproof paper for wrapping, lining baskets and deli work, where the job is holding back grease rather than surviving the oven.
Greaseproof also comes in a range of weights and finishes - plain white, printed gingham and unbleached compostable grades - so you can match presentation to the venue and keep front-of-house consistent.
- Wrapping burgers, sandwiches and fried food
- Lining chip baskets, trays and serving boards
- Deli and counter service, including printed and compostable options
The cold side of the kitchen
What Cling Wrap Does in a Commercial Kitchen
Cling wrap earns its place on the cold side - covering trays in the cold room, sealing prep containers, portioning and wrapping for transport. Catering-width rolls (45cm) move faster than retail rolls and cut cleanly on a dispenser box.
Is cling wrap microwave safe? It depends on the film. Food-grade, non-PVC cling wrap is generally fine for short reheating as long as it does not touch the food; PVC-based wraps should be kept out of the microwave and off hot food. Always check the roll's labelling.
Stored cool and out of direct sun, a sealed carton of catering film keeps for years, so it is safe to buy in bulk. Widths from 33cm to 45cm cover everything from small prep containers to full gastronorm trays.
- Cold room and fridge storage
- Portioning and prep-container covers
- Colour-coded options for HACCP separation
Heat and hold
When to Use Aluminium Foil (and When Not To)
Foil is the only one of the four that holds high heat and traps steam, which is why it owns roasting, tray-bakes, tenting and keeping service hot. Heavy-duty 44cm rolls take the rough handling of a commercial line better than light retail foil.
Can you use baking paper instead of foil? For lining a tray, yes. For wrapping to trap steam or browning under a grill, no - only foil does that. One caution: keep foil off strongly acidic foods like tomato, citrus and vinegar dressings, which react with bare aluminium. For bulk service, pair rolls with foil roasting trays.
Foil comes in standard and heavy-duty gauges. Heavy-duty resists tearing and holds a tent or a seal under a busy pass, while standard foil suits quick covering - for most commercial lines a heavy-duty 44cm roll is the everyday workhorse.
- Roasting, tray-bakes and tenting
- Holding and transporting hot food
- Heavy-duty widths for a commercial line
Side by side
Cling Wrap vs Baking Paper vs Greaseproof Paper vs Foil
The quick reference for which wrap handles the oven, the microwave, the freezer and everything in between.
| Use | Cling Wrap | Baking Paper | Greaseproof Paper | Aluminium Foil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oven | No | Yes (to ~240C) | No | Yes |
| Microwave | Check label | Short bursts | Yes | No |
| Freezer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cold-food contact | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grease resistance | Moderate | High (silicone) | High | Moderate |
| FOGO / compostable | No | Some (unbleached) | Some (uncoated) | No |
| Best for | Cold cover & storage | Baking & tray lining | Wrapping & deli service | Roasting & heat |
A general guide - always check the product label for the exact temperature rating. Not sure what to stock? Talk to the trade desk.
Shop the guide
Shop Commercial Food Wraps
Wholesale pricing ex GST - free Melbourne metro delivery over $150
Catering cling film
Oven baking paper
Greaseproof wrap
Heavy-duty foil
Stocking the Right Wraps for Your Kitchen
Most kitchens only need three rolls within reach and one in reserve. A cafe or takeaway leans on greaseproof paper for wrapping and cling wrap for cold storage. A restaurant or caterer adds baking paper for the oven and aluminium foil rolls for roasting and holding.
What you carry depends on the kitchen. A cafe or takeaway runs mostly on greaseproof for wrapping and cling wrap for the cold room. A restaurant adds baking paper for the pass and foil for roasting and holding. A caterer or function venue wants all four in catering widths plus foil trays for transport, while aged care and institutional kitchens lean on cling wrap and foil for portioning, covering and reheating to schedule.
Buy by the carton in catering widths - 45cm cling film and 44cm foil dispense faster and waste less than retail rolls, and the cost per metre drops sharply at volume. Keep one spare of each in the dry store so a busy service never stops for a missing roll.
Order over $150 ex GST and Melbourne metro delivery is free. Not sure on quantities? Call 041 676 94 92 and we will help you size a standing order.
Common questions
Food Wrap FAQs
Is cling wrap microwave safe?
It depends on the film. Food-grade, non-PVC cling wrap is generally safe for short reheating as long as it does not touch the food. PVC-based wraps should be kept out of the microwave and off hot food. Always check the roll's labelling before microwaving.
Is baking paper the same as greaseproof paper?
No. Baking paper has a silicone coating that makes it non-stick and oven-safe to around 220-240C. Greaseproof paper resists oil and moisture but is not heat-treated for the oven - use it for wrapping, lining and deli service, not baking.
Can you use baking paper instead of foil?
For lining a tray or tin, yes. For wrapping food to trap steam, tenting a roast or browning under a grill, no - only foil holds high heat and traps moisture that way. Baking paper also cannot brown or char food the way foil can.
What is greaseproof paper used for in a commercial kitchen?
Three main jobs: wrapping burgers, sandwiches and fried food; lining chip baskets, trays and serving boards; and deli or counter service. It holds back grease and moisture without making food sweat, and comes in printed and compostable options.
Can baking paper go in the freezer?
Yes. Baking paper works in the freezer for layering and separating portions - sliced meat, patties or dough - so they do not stick together. Just keep it away from standing moisture, which can soak through over time.
Commercial Garbage Bag Sizes: The Complete Buying Guide for Australian Businesses
Getting commercial garbage bag sizes right means matching capacity and fit to the bin. This guide covers the full 8L to 240L...
Paper Napkins and Serviettes for Hospitality: 1-Ply vs 2-Ply Buying Guide
A format-led buying guide to paper napkins and serviettes for Australian hospitality: 1-ply vs 2-ply, lunch, dinner, cocktail and dispenser formats, fold...
EOFY Tax Deductions for Small Business: What to Buy Before 30 June
A practical EOFY guide for Melbourne businesses: how the instant asset write-off differs from everyday deductible supplies, what you can claim, a...