An Alternative to Plastic Wrap: Abeego Flats

We don't have many bowls or dishes with lids, so we end up using a lot of plastic wrap when putting dough away to rest, or refrigerating a big bowl of leftovers. Here's one alternative to plastic wrap and aluminum foil that we find intriguing: Abeego Flats.

Abeego flats are reusable bowl covers made from hemp and cotton fabric infused with a blend of beeswax and plant extracts. This coating makes the flats fluid-resistant and easy to clean. This waxy coating also makes the fabric stiff and able to be molded to the shape of a bowl. A set of Abeego Flats includes a six-, a nine- and a twelve-inch square sheet. The Flats can be cleaned in cold and soapy water.

We don't think that these would cover every use of plastic wrap and foil, of course. They aren't heat-resistant, so they won't stand in for most uses of aluminum foil. They also are in fixed sizes, obviously, so covering a big tray of cookies or hamburger patties is out. But for daily use of storing leftovers and basics, we think they could be great.

Have you ever tried something like this?

• Find them: Abeego Flats $18.50 for a set of three at Abeego

(Images: Abeego)

Comments (14)

I use a silicone lid that fits most of my bowls. It is heat resistant and can be used as a trivet or in a microwave. This is the one I prefer, but there are many other brands, too.

posted by bubble on September 1st 2009 at 12:48pm
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I was going to say the same as @bubble. SurLaTable has a similar lid.

posted by somewhiteguy on September 1st 2009 at 1:01pm
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I just place a plate over the top of the bowl. Or, I upend a bowl over a plate of food. I do occasionally use aluminum foil for baking, but even then, a lidded roasting pan meets most of those needs.

posted by ShellyIN on September 1st 2009 at 1:13pm
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I like this idea a lot. I always feel a little twinge of guilt at all the plastic wrap I use to cover rising bread (I bake bread twice a week!). Do these things really stick onto the bowl, or do they just kinda rest over the top?

posted by EmmaC on September 1st 2009 at 1:36pm
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I'd really hesitate to use a beeswax ipregnated product in contact with food unless the beeswax was tested and certified Fluvalinate free.

Fluvalinate contamination of beeswax has become a big issue in the beekeeping community, and its an issue crafters and people using beeswax in cosmetics and food related products are going to have to become aware of.

I'm also concerned over the undisclosed 'plant extracts', which could be anything from pine rosin to linseed oil or essential oils. As a person with allergies I'd hesitate to take the risk.

posted by eanglin on September 1st 2009 at 1:45pm
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EmmaC,
Why not use a damp tea towel to cover your rising bread? That's what I've always done, and it works fine.

posted by ShellyIN on September 1st 2009 at 1:55pm
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Emma, I find that if the bowl has a sort of a lip, or is thicker than 2 mm, the silicone lids really do stick and stay. Otherwise the seal does not last as long, but is still effective. A wet towel does not work as well, because it eventually dries out. With sourdough, your dough might need to rise for more than 3 hours, and unless you're constantly re-wetting the towel, it'll go dry. But to each his own.

posted by bubble on September 1st 2009 at 2:13pm
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I'd rather re-wet the towel occasionally (I'm checking on the bread, anyway, so no biggie), than use plastic wrap. I just didn't grow up using plastic wrap and have never bought it myself, so it's a totally foreign concept to me!

posted by ShellyIN on September 1st 2009 at 2:26pm
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I'd have some concerns about only being able to clean them in cool water. How do they store? Would they start sticking to themselves and breaking down in hot weather?

Mostly, I just put a plate on top of the bowl. For bread, I use a lidded plastic food storage container.

But I think I will get one of those silicone thingies someone mentioned.

posted by Bobolink on September 1st 2009 at 2:26pm
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... or you could save yourself 20 bucks and make your own.

http://www.curbly.com/ModHomeEcTeacher/posts/6857-real-oilcloth-and-how-to-make-it

posted by ilovealbertabeets on September 1st 2009 at 3:10pm
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I like the plate on top of the bowl because it lets me stack bowls in the fridge if needed. I don' t think one of these covers would support a bowl on top of it.

posted by kelleyk on September 1st 2009 at 9:51pm
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I am so thrilled you have featured Abeego! I have a bunch and use them daily. It is a nice alternative to plastic wrap and work especially well for unique shape decorative bowls. Also, it is rather fetching showing up to a potluck with this on your serving dish then tin foil or plastic wrap. They do stick to the bowl and create a good seal however, I would not invert the bowl or stack anything too heavy on top.

The creator also makes flat wraps that fold and fasten with string that can wrap sandwiches and all sorts of tasty lunch items. Abeego has cone shape wraps for loose small snacks. They are perfect for transporting a few cookies or savory snacks rather then little sandwich bags. The string and circles (like old-school envelopes) are fun for little hands to open and close.

Made local and by hand in Victoria BC, I just purchased a bunch while out west on holiday. I have enjoyed using them.
p.s. as for cleaning - cool soapy water does the trick - towel dry and they are fine. The shop owner where I purchased them had been using hers for 8 months without any wear or tear which is a great sign on longevity. We had a bit of a heat wave last week, so I stored them clean in the fridge - but really that was me just being necrotic, they would have been totally fine in a cool dry place.

posted by rads on September 2nd 2009 at 9:23am
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