The Parchment Paper Won’t Burn In The Oven With These 6 Rules

Can parchment paper catch on fire is a good question that needs to be addressed urgently. Yes, parchment can catch fire since it is only heat-resistant and not heat-proof. We must be safe when using parchment paper for cooking or baking, and it is good to be curious when using some tools.

As air fryer passionate lovers, we thought of addressing the issue for you to stay confident when cooking or baking using parchment. And so we conducted 10 hours of research, testing how different kitchen appliances like a microwave, oven and air fryer react to the parchment.

Keep reading this article to discover more about it catching on fire and everything you should know.

What is Parchment Paper?

Parchment paper is the paper that has passed through the process of parchment. Even if the paper is thin, it has a coarser texture than glazed and oil paper. This paper has a sulfuric acid coating making it stabler and oil resistant.

But you must be wondering where parchment paper came from, right? The name parchment paper was derived from the Turkish city known as Pergamum (the modern Begnama) during the second century BC. This paper is made from the skin of animals such as sheep, goats, cows, antelope, and pigs.

You should not lack parchment paper in your kitchen since you can use it for cooking and baking, and it has a perfect slippery surface hence easy cleaning. Due to the silicon coating in the parchment paper, it is non-stick and heat resistant. The common parchment paper types are bleached and unbleached parchment papers.

You must be wondering whether the silicone coating is safe. Yes, it is safe since it’s entirely a synthetic rubber material that is not harmful to your body.

Will Parchment Paper Burn in the Oven?

Parchment paper is a versatile tool every person would want to use when cooking or baking at home. Most chefs and bakers also love it. But you must wonder will the parchment paper can burn in the oven.

The answer is no because the parchment paper is heat resistant and can withstand a temperature of up to 450 degrees F.  Also, there is no time limit on how long it can stay in the oven, although you need to keep an eye so that it does not get brown on its edges.

Will Parchment Paper Catch On Fire in the Oven, Is It Safe?

Most people think that parchment paper will not catch fire, yet it is like any other paper; when exposed to flame, it will ignite immediately. Besides parchment paper being versatile, resilient, and heat resistant, it is not heat-proof, meaning it will ignite in case of a flame. In addition, its thin weight makes it easily flammable.

So whenever you use parchment paper, ensure that it’s away from heat sources since even a small part of it catching fire will cause unnecessary accidents. But is it safe to use it, you ask? Yes, parchment is safe to use in the oven because it can withstand maximum temperature and has a perfect coating that is not harmful to the body. 

All you need is to ensure that it does not touch the high heat elements of your oven to cause a fire.

Will Parchment Paper Catch On Fire in the Air Fryer, Is It Safe?

Parchment can catch fire in the air fryer because the paper is light and can float, catching the powerful elements without your knowledge. The situation can cause fire accidents to destroy your air fryer or even set your house on fire.

So as long as parchment paper is safe and ideal for use in the air fryer, it should be well secured and ensure that the food weighs down for safety purposes. In other words, it is good to use this paper when cooking heavy meals so that it does not float, causing a flame.

Will Parchment Paper Catch On Fire Under the Broiler, Is It Safe?

Parchment paper can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees. But when it comes to using parchment paper under the broiler, it can make the broiler get hot and cause it to ignite. Since a broiler can heat up to 550 degrees, it is not safe to use parchment.

According to experts, it is recommended to use aluminum foil when broiling as it can hold a temperature of up to 1220 degrees without catching fire or before it catches fire. The foil’s drawback is that it can stick to what you are cooking.

How to Use Parchment Correctly

1. How to Wrap Food with Parchment Paper

Even if using parchment paper is the best option, it is good to know how to use it correctly to avoid unnecessary accidents. Since the thin paper is lighter, it can blow up easily, causing a flame. When cooking or baking, ensure the food weighs it down.

But how are you going to wrap your food using parchment paper? If you are using precut paper, just lay your food on it; after that, you will need to tease the ends of the parchment paper by tucking it into itself until it holds its shape. Ensure that you follow the contours of the wrap holding it in place, and you will be good to go.

2. Which Side of Parchment Should I Use

Which side of parchment to use is a commonly asked question, but all you need to know is that there is no wrong or right side to the parchment paper. Any side is perfect for use; however, ensure that you do not reuse it when baking for the best outcome.

But sometimes, some parchment paper comes with one side coated, and in this case, it will have an indication on the package. And mostly, one side will be shiny while the other will be dull; once you slightly hold your parchment to the light, you can easily see the shiny part.

The shinier part is the coated side, which should be the one becoming in contact with the food, thus the perfect side for use.

3. What to Avoid When Using Parchment Paper

• Do not use parchment paper under the broiler or toaster oven because the appliance can get hotter than it should, making it flammable. 
• Even if parchment paper is heat resistant, it is not heatproof, so avoid placing it near flammable areas since it will catch fire quickly, just like any other paper.
• Do not use parchment paper above 450 degrees because it may begin to smoke when exposed to a super hot temperature for so long.
• Ensure that your parchment paper does not catch the heating element of your appliance since the edges can start burning, causing fire accidents.

4. Can You Bake Parchment Paper

Yes, you can bake using parchment paper since most oven brands suggest a temperature limit of 400 to 425 degrees in the box. Excess or higher temperature than the specified one can make it burn or scorch, but you should avoid using it in the broiler. Parchment paper is the best option than aluminum foil or wax paper when it comes to baking since it is heat resistant.

5. When You Should Not Use the Parchment Paper

As of now, you already know that parchment can withstand high temperatures and it can catch fire. But even if you can use parchment paper, there are occasions that you should not use it; let’s learn together.

You should not use parchment paper in enclosed rooms like oven toasters or broilers because the small spaces make the appliance hot. In some cases, the paper‘s edges may touch the heat lamp of your appliance, igniting the form quickly.

Remember that the paper has heat resistance limits it can withstand. Although manufacturers say that super high temperatures can’t make it release fumes or burn, doing it for extra time is dangerous. The excess heat can make it catch fire; in short, it is better to use parchment alternatives.

6. How to Prevent Parchment from Burning

• Use a parchment paper supplement like a silicone mat since they are nonstick and heat resistant.
• Sandwich your parchment between baking sheets to hold it in place to avoid touching the heating element.
• Do not expose it to much heat that comes from the heating element
• Wrap the parchment paper around your correctly to prevent it from touching the heating element
• Use it under the recommended temperatures to avoid overheating it.

Does Parchment have BPA?

Parchment paper is designed with a silicone coating that is BPA-free. In short, silicone bakeware and spatulas do not have BPA, although there are extra hazards to the plastics than BPA. So you can confidently use parchment paper when baking or cooking without worrying about toxic smells on your food.

Is Burnt Parchment Paper Toxic

As mentioned earlier, there is bleached and unbleached parchment paper, which will depend on the parchment paper type you are using to term it toxic. The bleached parchment paper is white, while the unbleached paper is brown.

The bleached parchment paper has toxic dioxins that leach when heated, making it harmful to health. Also, the unbleached paper is safe and toxic-free, although it may have Quilon, which can harm your health. So when purchasing parchment paper, ensure that it is Quilon-free.

The Best Parchment Paper in 2022

Best Quality: Reynolds parchment paper

Reynolds contains a roll of parchment with smart grid lines that measure 15”  wide by 36 feet long and have a 45 sheet count. No guesswork on where to cut since it has smart grid lines of 1 inch and 2 inches to guide you. Besides, it is oven safe, meaning it can withstand maximum temperatures and protect your pan from sticking foods.

Another advantage of this parchment paper is that it’s reliable, and you can reuse it up to 3 times and still prevent it from sticking again and again. Therefore, you can say goodbye to hard cleaning with the Reynolds parchment paper in your kitchen.

What Types of Paper Can We Use in Our Kitchen? Substitutes of Parchment Paper 

Reynolds Foil

This foil from Reynolds contains 500 high-quality pre-cut foil sheets that measure 12 by 10.75 inches. The wrap sheets are ideal for catering operations, restaurants, home use, and school cafeterias. They also pop up easily for quick dispensing.

I love how the sheets mold easily around the food for a tighter sealing, hence the best for wrapping takeaway food, sandwiches, and many other foods.

Silicone Baking Mats

Get Airware reusable fryer mats to prevent sticking and take care of the non-stick coating. The set will improve your cleaning time, and you will not be bored with cooking because of hard cleaning.

The good thing about this baking mat is that it can fit large and extra-large air fryer baskets and other accessories like a rack, pot, grill plate, and crisper tray. Also, it is dishwasher-safe and nonstick.

Another thing is that the mat features a perforated structure for optimal airflow, thus even crispy cooking. The silicone is 100% BPA-free, handling 430 degrees of air frying, oven baking, and steaming.

Parchment Paper and Aluminum Foil, Which is Healthier and Safe

Health and safety are a priority in every cooking. So you could be asking yourself whether parchment paper and aluminum foil are healthy and safe or which is better. I recommend you opt for parchment paper other than aluminum foil, especially when roasting.

But why is parchment paper better than aluminum foil, you ask? People using aluminum foil risk a small correlation that leads to health problems such as kidney diseases compared to normal metal. Also, parchment paper is naturally non-stick, more versatile, and can hold a higher temperature than aluminum foil or wax paper.

Conclusion

Having read this article, you know that parchment paper is just like any other paper and can ignite. However, it is heat resistant and non-stick, thus safe for use in the oven or microwave with correct usage, you will have a fantastic cooking experience with the parchment papers we recommend above!

I understand that many other people are still asking themselves whether parchment paper can catch on fire. And since you are impressed with this article, feel free to share it widely on social media to help a friend.