The details matter: What professional Placenta Encapsulators need to know.

The differences between parchment, freezer, and wax paper and why it matters to the professional placenta encapsulator.

Why use a liner in the dehydrator for placenta encapsulation?

While it's not a requirement, most encapsulators use some kind of liner on the dehydrator trays to make clean up easier and to reduce sticking.  

​Here's a run down on choosing the correct liner.

Parchment paper:

Parchment Paper is a natural, high-density, non-stick parchment that is safe for oven use up to 425°F. Unlike similar papers, like wax paper, parchment paper’s non-stick layer is also heat resistant.

While our dehydrating temperatures are much lower, using a heat resistant liner for your dehydrator trays is an important detail for professional placenta encapsulators.

Freezer paper:

​What is freezer paper? According to Reynolds Kitchens (a maker of all three types of papers discussed), Freezer Paper is ideal for wrapping foods for freezing and also for general household purposes. 

The thick paper gives the product strength and durability. One side of the paper is plastic-coated and provides a barrier to air and moisture. This protects the quality, flavor and nutrition of foods during freezing. The other side is a durable paper which can be written on. This means it’s easy to write on the contents and pack date before freezing foods.

Freezer paper is not acceptable because the plastic-coating can melt in the dehydrator. If the plastic-coated side is face up, the plastic can melt on the placenta strips. If the plastic-coated side is face down, it will leave plastic residue on your dehydrator potentially breaking it. 

The only acceptable option would be for using it strictly for the cord keepsake ​that will not be consumed, though there is still potential for damaging your equipment with melted plastic residue.

Wax paper:

Reynolds Kitchen says wax paper is ideal for making candy or dipping strawberries, cookies or pretzels in chocolate. Foods lift right off the surface without leaving a mess behind on your bakeware or countertop. For gift giving or freezing, layer candies or baked cookies between wax paper sheets.

Wax paper is not heat-resistant and can not be used in a dehydrator. The wax can melt causing it to stick to the placenta pieces and the dehydrator.

Do you remember making crafts as a small child? You would shred broken crayons between two layers of wax paper then either iron it or stick it in the oven for a few minutes. The crayon would melt and the wax paper would fuse together creating the masterpiece.

Wax paper is an all around no for your dehydrator.

J​ust in case you want more information, here's Martha Stewart discussing parchment vs wax paper. She just doesn't know about placentas.

​Watch more more "The Details Matter" posts in this series.