THE EAT GENERATION

Plastic Fantastic

The sought-after blue and yellow box.

By Dabney Gough, contributor

September 21st, 2009 in Blogs

When I ran out of plastic wrap last week, my heart sank, for I knew I had a hard road ahead of me. Sure, you can get plastic wrap just about anywhere. In fact, in my densely populated neighborhood, there are no fewer than three stores within a block of my house that all sell the stuff. But they don't have my plastic wrap, a brand I love so much that I actually brought that last box with me when I moved to California.

You probably think I'm crazy; aren't all plastic wraps the same? I'm here to tell you they're not, because Stretch-Tite plastic wrap is leagues ahead of everything else on the market. In fact, I would go so far as to say it's awesome. I don't say this lightly. (And no, they're not paying me to write this.) Not only is Stretch-Tite stretchier than other plastic wraps, but it's somehow stickier, too. It does what it's supposed to do, and it does so perfectly.

Here's the problem: it's really hard to find. I tried at least five bodegas, grocery stores, and drug stores and still came up empty handed. Finally I got discouraged and I grudgingly bought a box of "premium" plastic wrap from a big-name national brand. I gave it a whirl at home, and all I can say is "premium, schmemium." The clear square flitted and slid on the rim of the bowl I was covering, totally unwilling to stick. This would not do.

So I hit the pavement again with renewed vigor. I tried the supermarket in an adjacent neighborhood and hit gold: there on the shelf was the cheery yellow box with its understated blue sans serif type. Score! I'm all set with my new box. But now I wonder if I should have stocked up. You know, just to be safe.

Am I crazy, or do you have a kitchen obsession of your own? Fess up!

posted in: Blogs, Dabney Gough, plastic wrap

WannaBePaulaDeen writes: I am from MA and retired to FL with plenty of Stretch Tite, but I just ran out. I've tried everything. I have threatened to fly to MA this weekend to stock up. I will try Sam's and Costco even if it means having to pay the $50 to join Costco because I cannot survive without Stretch Tite. For those of you that have never used it, you don't know what you're missing. Once you start, nothing else compares. Posted: 10:32 pm on January 3rd

Patryce writes: My Costco in Raleigh, NC has "regular" sized rolls of Stretch-Tite, and also giant restaurant size rolls in a big box. I went with the pack of two "small" rolls(750sq.ft. each) b/c they would fit in the drawer with other the wraps in my kitchen. They do co-brand with their Kirkland name, so the box doesn't look quite the same, but it is still Stretch-Tite. It came with two cutter options--you can use the slider cutter or fold the box flap a different way and use the old serrated blade edge type cutter. So no worries if you lose the slider! Funny thing is, it's still cheaper than buying regular plastic wrap at the grocery store, never mind the "premium" stuff... Posted: 4:09 pm on December 28th

kersey writes: Be aware, that if you lose the little slider/cutter thing, it's a real pain in the @#% to cut the wrap. Iknow, I know, how does one lose the little slider/cutter thing? I don't know how, but it happened. Posted: 2:49 pm on October 14th

Gregele writes: THIS IS THE BEST PLASTIC WRAP AVAILABLE TO MAN. You have to try it to believe it.

Not only do they sell it in Costco in large, though not industry size rolls, but if you pull out the roll, hidden in the center of the tube is a plastic sleeve that sits on the serrated cutter. It has a slider with a razor blade that zips across the wrap and cleanly cuts off your sheet easy as a breeze. Posted: 4:50 pm on October 6th

GFCFSFCF writes: Market Basket sells it. It truly is that awesome. Posted: 8:06 pm on September 30th

dineindiva writes: Sold in 2 packs at Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale. This stuff rocks! Posted: 3:24 pm on September 24th

DMickelsen writes: Hi Dabs! This stuff sounds amazing, but I must admit I'm partial to the huge industry rolls of plastic wrap that my husband brings home from work. It takes us about a year to go through one roll! If only Stretch-Rite came in really big boxes... Posted: 10:51 am on September 24th

LisaWaddle writes: You never should have left, Dabs! Stew Leonard's carries it. Posted: 1:56 pm on September 23rd

lorian writes: Love this stuff! It's so much better than any other I've tried and the little cutter on the box actually works. I've also used it to line tart shells before blind baking and it doesn't melt like other brands. Posted: 2:13 pm on September 22nd

MaryMum writes: With customer loyalty like this, the Stretch-Rite Co. should give you a lifetime supply of the product! Posted: 8:07 am on September 22nd

dabneyg writes: Ooh, thanks for the tips! It seems a little silly to order plastic wrap online, but you know what? It's worth it! Posted: 11:08 pm on September 21st

TheFoodGeek writes: This is good to know. I will try out Stretch-Rite. The easiest way to get it is just to order it from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Stretch-tite-Premium-Plastic-516-12-Ft-8-Inch/dp/B001F0RBLA/ Posted: 1:21 pm on September 21st

dlish writes: They sell it at Costco. Posted: 12:57 pm on September 21st

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About the Eat Generation

Follow the foodie adventures of former Fine Cooking recipe tester Dabney Gough as she takes a bite out of life in San Francisco. By day she's the marketing director for a specialty grocery store. By night, she's usually out exploring the city's amazing cocktail scene.