Foil, Parchment or Greaseproof Paper: Which Sheet for Which Job?
Foil, parchment and greaseproof paper all come on a roll or in a stack of sheets, so they are easy to mix up. Each one has a job it does best. This guide sorts out which to use for baking, for wrapping hot takeaway food and for covering dishes, with the sizes and details from our product pages.
Baking parchment: for the oven tray
Our baking parchment roll is natural brown, 45 cm wide and 50 m long. It has a non-stick surface, so cakes, biscuits, pastry and roasted food lift off without greasing the tray. The wide roll lines large baking trays and roasting tins in one piece and cuts down for cake tins and loaf tins. It also separates layers of cookies, burgers or portions before storing. Keep parchment away from grills, open flames and heating elements.
Catering foil: for covering, roasting and storage
The catering foil roll is 45 cm wide and 75 m long, 11 microns thick, in a cardboard cutter box with a serrated edge. It is listed for wrapping, covering trays and dishes, lining tins, roasting and baking, and for fridge and freezer storage. It is freezer safe, but do not use foil in a microwave.
Greaseproof paper: for wrapping hot takeaway food
Greaseproof sheets are white and made to hold back grease, so they are used for wrapping hot fried food as well as cold sandwiches. We sell several sizes in the wrapping and grease paper range:
- 18 x 14 inch (45.7 x 35.6 cm), 3 kg: fish and chips, sandwiches, baguettes and savouries.
- 18 x 20 inch (45.7 x 50.8 cm), 4 kg: fish and chips, burgers, kebabs, sandwiches and savouries.
- 18 x 28 inch (45.7 x 71.1 cm), 4 kg: large fish and chips and family orders, or cut down to smaller sheets.
- 7.5 x 28 inch (19.1 x 71.1 cm), 3 kg (700 sheets): baguettes, subs, wraps and sausage rolls.
Quick guide
- Lining a baking tray or cake tin: parchment.
- Covering a tray in the oven or fridge, or freezing: foil.
- Wrapping hot chips, fish or a kebab: greaseproof sheets, with plain wrapping paper over the top if you wrap fish and chips the traditional way.
- Wrapping a baguette or sub: the long 7.5 x 28 inch greaseproof sheet.
For covering bowls and plates in the fridge, clear film is the usual choice: see our cling film guide. For fish and chips, the fish and chip shop packaging guide shows the full set, and the greaseproof and wrapping paper sizes guide goes further into sheet sizes.
Ordering and delivery
There is no minimum order. Prices are shown excluding VAT under each product. Free UK next-day delivery: orders placed by 4pm Monday to Friday leave the same day with Evri, fully tracked, next-day where Evri offers it to your address, otherwise standard, usually 2 to 5 days. See delivery information.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use foil in the microwave?
No. The foil roll page says not to use foil in a microwave.
Is baking parchment non-stick?
Yes. It has a non-stick surface, so bakes lift off without greasing the tray.
Which paper do I use to wrap hot chips?
Greaseproof sheets, which are listed for wrapping hot fried food. The traditional fish and chip wrap adds plain wrapping paper over the top.
How wide is the foil roll?
45 cm wide and 75 m long.
Is there a minimum order?
No. Everything can be ordered by the single roll or pack.