I know it's used for baking. What does it look like?
2006-12-07 02:38:57 · 9 answers · asked by lola 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Parrafin can be found in the baking isle of some stores. I really don't remember where I found it last at Wal-Mart. It is used for sealing jams and jellies, it's also used to wipe around the edges of pressure cookers to make them unseal a little easier when canning.
It comes in a box - I think the brand I find is called Gulfwax - not sure. The parrafin is divided into three or four slabs in the box and is kind of clear/white in color.
I do use it in making candy to stabelize coatings. When I make chocolate covered candies, I usually melt a small piece with the chcolate so it is stable at room temperature. I just eye-ball it, but I would say that I would add a piece that is about 1/2" (that's how deep the bar is) by 1" by however wide the bar is for about 2 to 3 cups of chocolate. The 1" measure is the only one that has to be cut. Sometimes the parrafin bars stick together. Just get a sharp knife, put it between them and wiggle.
Some recipes call for shortening that I think is used for stabilization and shine, but I'd rather eat something that will pass on through than more calories.
Good luck!
2006-12-07 04:39:01 · answer #1 · answered by karat4top 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the grocery store carries it, it will be in the baking aisle. You can usually find lots of it after fall harvests and people are doing their own canning. It's a wax you put on top of jellies and jams before tightening the lid down....If the store has canning lids, they have parrafin.
2006-12-07 02:45:24 · answer #2 · answered by statuewomanromans 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is used for preserving jams and jellies. You can find it in the baking supplies section of the store. It usually comes in blocks about 3"x6"x1/2", and is milky colored.
It is used at the end of the jam and jelly making process. Just after the jam has been poured into jars, parafin is poured onto the top of the jam, allowed to harden, and then the jars are sealed.
2006-12-07 02:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dannie is right; it's the stuff most candles are made of. It's normally sold where canning supplies are sold; it can be used to seal the tops of jars of jam or preserves. It looks approximately like ice, comes in flat pieces about 1/4 inch thick and 3" in diameter, packed in a small cardboard box. When you melt it, it smells like a melting crayon.
2006-12-07 02:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by Rusting 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm...I don't believe I've heard of it being used for baking. I have aunts in the 'beauty' business (one is a hairstylist, the other is a nail technician) and they use it for hands and feet (the hairstylist has arthritist in her hands and buys menthol parrafin wax to treat them and the other uses it on her clients' hands and feet to soften them up and moisturize them). They buy their wax in beauty supply stores.
2006-12-07 02:48:00 · answer #5 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure it's called parrafin wax?
I use this for candle making & I get it in a craft shop.
I doubt you would add this to food!!
2006-12-07 02:41:41 · answer #6 · answered by Dannie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right. It is used for baking, canning, etc. It usually comes in a rectangular box, is clear-white, and can usually be found at the local grocer near the canning items.
2006-12-07 02:46:27 · answer #7 · answered by maxsmom120304 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum and used in candlemaking and home canning seals among other things Beeswax however is all natural and comes from beehives.
2006-12-07 04:22:18 · answer #8 · answered by COACH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it comes in blocks...and is white. You have to melt it down, and pour it over jelly that you just put in the jar. I'm sure it is used for other things as well.
2006-12-07 02:42:29 · answer #9 · answered by TexasRose 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋