Butcher Paper vs. Parchment Paper – What’s The Difference?

Choosing the right kind of Paper when you prepare your food (or serve it) is important. But this choice is not as straightforward as it seems; there are tons of different types of Paper in the market you have to choose from. And it can be quite difficult to understand which type of Paper serves a purpose.

Two of the most frequently used papers are butcher Paper and Parchment paper. According to a survey, 1.75 million people used almost 10 rolls or boxes of rolls of parchment paper in 2020. Another survey states that Glad Cling Wrap was the most frequently used brand of food wrap in 2020, with more than 134 million American users. 

Butcher paper is quite common in the US and other countries as well. With a wide range of applications, Butcher paper secured its position as one of the most used types of Paper globally. But people are often confused what’s the difference between these two papers. And in this article, we will discuss these differences, their similarities, and their uses, so keep reading to find out more!

Parchment Paper

Parchment Paper is one of the most commonly used Papers in the Bakers community. It is made to optimize it to be used in high temperatures during grilling or baking. Parchment paper is strong; it is also non-stick, which means it’s good at separating two sticky food items or separating the food from the container.

Parchment Paper is ideal for retaining the moisture, juices, and flavor in food because it has a low permeability. Low permeability is achieved by making the Paper resistant to water. Of course, we can’t make the Paper completely resistant to water, but only enough, so the water or juices in food don’t escape from the food and get absorbed in the Paper. 

Parchment paper also helps the food from getting burned or being overcooked. Thanks to the strength of the paper and heat-absorption qualities that ensure the heat is distributed evenly and doesn’t come in contact with the surface of food directly. 

You can use parchment paper in many different ways, the most common being as the lining for baking dishes and separating sticky dough. You can also use Parchment paper to cover your food and store it in the fridge for long periods, but freeze paper is a better option if you think of cold-storing a food item. Parchment paper is usually sold in roll form or as individually cut pieces. 

Butcher Paper

Butcher Paper was originally made for butchers to wrap meat before selling it to the customers. The idea is that the extra covering protects the meat from coming into direct contact with airborne contaminants, lowering its shelf life and causing spoilage. For this reason, Butcher Paper is used to wrapping different food items like sandwiches, burgers, or Burritos at your local restaurant. 

Unlike Parchment Paper, Butcher Paper is porous and absorbent, which ensures that the flavors in the food are well-preserved when wrapped in butcher paper. This inexpensive paper is also frequently used by artists in their art projects. You can also use Butcher paper to cover your utensils to protect them from getting damaged. 

You can think about Butcher paper as similar to the brown bag you get in the grocery stores, but less thick. There are several types of butcher papers available in the market; these include brown butcher paper, pink butcher paper, peach butcher paper, and freeze Paper. All of these papers are made for different purposes. 

Differences Between Butcher Paper and Parchment Paper

Butcher Paper is similar to Parchment paper in many ways because both are papers at the end of the day. But you need to understand their differences to know when and where to use each type of paper, as they both serve different purposes. Here’s a short comparison between Butcher Paper and Parchment Paper to make things easier for you guys.

Moisture, Heat and Permeability

Heat and moisture are two important factors when talking about Paper. Because the degree to which a paper retains heat and moisture determines the purpose for which you will use it. Parchment Paper has a higher threshold for retaining and absorbing heat than butcher paper. For this reason, Butcher paper is not used in baking and grilling, as it will catch fire quickly. 

On the other hand, Parchment paper is ideal for use in ovens and grilling. Moreover, Parchment paper retains the moisture contained within the food because Parchment paper has lower permeability than Butcher Paper. The Higher permeability of Butcher Paper makes it ideal for use in wrapping food items for temporary and long-term storage; the higher permeability ensures that the food can breathe and remain fresh.

Thickness

One of the main differences between Parchment and Butcher paper is their thickness. Butcher paper is a lot thicker than parchment Paper. But despite being thinner, Parchment Paper is still considered strong, and it doesn’t burn or melt when placed in an oven or on a grill. But you can’t use Butcher Paper on Grills or in ovens, despite it being thicker. 

The thickness of Butcher Paper makes it ideal to be used as a protective covering on fragile items like utensils, your newly bought china, or the fresh sneakers you just bought recently.

Production 

The production of Butcher Paper and Parchment paper differs as well. Butcher paper is made through a process called Krafting. Krafting ensures that the cellulose fibers are retained, and the Butcher paper remains strong and durable. On the other hand, Parchment Paper is made directly from the wood pulp obtained from fig trees and cotton plants. The Paper is then treated with Silicone, making it non-stick and heat resistant. 

So What’s the Difference Between Butcher Paper and Parchment Paper?

• Parchment Paper tends to be thinner than Butcher Paper 
• Butcher Paper is more permeable than Parchment Paper
• Parchment Paper is frequently used in baking, grilling, and other ways of cooking, while Butcher Paper is used for wrapping food items and like sandwiches and meat. 

Sources

• Statista
• LilGrill
• MasterClass