Why to store your plastic wrap in freezer

[tomturbomatic]

It really works! But why?
Most plastic wrap is made of polyethylene. Found in everything from grocery bags and even bulletproof vests, it’s the most commonly used plastic in the world. In plastic wrap, the polymer's molecules are really tight and naturally sticky. But it’s the fact that manufacturers add adhesives that make it cling to other materials. Of course, plastic wrap is also known to create static electricity which leads to the argument for storing it in the freezer. According to The Kitchn, cold air cuts back on static. However, more likely, plastic wrap loses its stickiness in the cold for molecular reasons. "The adhesion between pieces of plastic may be driven by the molecules in the surface re-arranging themselves to form weak chemical bonds," explains Dr. Chad Orzel, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Union College, "and the lower temperature may inhibit that process a bit." Orzel, author of How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, admits that he's not an expert in plastic wrap, but in his experience, it could behave like tape. "I know from attempting winter repairs with duct tape that conventional adhesives don't necessarily work well in cold temperatures."
Regardless of what makes it work, if you don’t want to wrestle with unwrapping your plastic wrap, store it in the freezer.

MSN

 

[marydoply]

It's really complicated to understand

 

[tomturbomatic]

I have my usually pretty well behaved Costco plastic wrap in the freezer now and will report on the efficacy of the procedure the next time I use it. I can tell you that the people I see working with the stuff could use 8 arms to keep it from tangling, twisting and sticking to itself and the first thing they do is get rid of the cutting bar and sliding blade so they start off screwed.

 

[tomturbomatic]

As a follow up to storing the plastic wrap in the freezer, I can report that the plastic wrap behaves much differently. The wrap handles much more like paper than plastic. It has a bit of body and is not clingy. I plan to keep storing it in the freezer.

 

[DADoES]

 
(heads to kitchen to find room for plastic wrap in freezer)

 

[rp2813]

I saw another article that indicated refrigeration would be enough to make saran wrap more manageable.  I stuck my box of Glad wrap in the refrigerator on a low-clearance shelf that doesn't get much use.  Last night I hosted a party for Dave's 70th birthday and used the Glad wrap for leftovers.  It was much, much more cooperative out of the refrigerator.  Our freezer is packed.  I didn't even try to find a place for it in there.

 

[mattl]

Hmm. I only use Saran and have not found it problematic to use fresh out of the drawer.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Down south, we call it Sarah Ann Wrap, with a long first "A" in Sarah.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Ain't that Costco stuff great?</span>

 

[tomturbomatic]

Yes, it is, but I have only used it with the sliding cutter and I think that makes using it easier. I have seen people try to use plastic wrap without the sliding cutter, where they hold the box perpendicular to the work surface with the wrap extending from it and then something happens that looks like a crocodile's death roll between the wrap and the box as they try to cut/tear and tug it. It winds up twisted so badly that it is  almost unusable.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

The AMKrayo Kutter-Wrap from “Kostko”!!!!

Here is my Costo’s “Kirkland” brand, which I thought got lost:

I think every brand should have this sliding blade, which after many years of rendering nearly entire rolls useless, I find it a God-send!!!!

Best of all, you can even fit in replacement rolls—I have had this for years and gotten bargains on wrap without the blade, I just throw away the original box and here, insert the new roll...

Oh, off-topic..., —I know! So, then, should I put all THIS: —in the freezer????

— Dave