At the wrong time, a brisket cooked in foil is removed from the smoker, which results in a soft, steamed crust instead of the twelve hours that the pitmaster invested in creating the bark. This is why in most serious smokehouses, foil is replaced with pink butcher paper, which keeps moisture in while allowing smoke to pass through. That’s important because if restaurants and catering establishments are using multiple smokers, they will go through butcher paper quickly, and if the paper is not the proper grade or is thin, or is not sized, or is not a true food contact paper, it will tear mid-wrap and fail the health inspection.
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What is BBQ butcher paper?

BBQ butcher paper is an uncoated, unbleached kraft paper with a light sizing agent that prevents leaks, but leaves the paper breathable. That’s all the magic: the smoke and steam flow through, and the meat remains moist, whereas under foil it would become soggy. This pink/peach hue is not a dye. It is from pine pulp.

Why does the branding math doesn’t work as hard here as in most packaging?

This is a larger presentation angle than is found in most packaging categories. The BBQ experience customers demand is meat served straight on the paper, on a tray, or directly on the counter. Go ahead and brand that for free on every order you get with a custom-printed roll with your restaurant’s logo. Another cost issue with bulk butcher paper is for high-volume smokehouses: a 700-foot roll will line trays for the entire day for much less than precut sheets from a foodservice distributor. Unbleached, undyed stock is naturally biodegradable as well, which is noticed by a growing percentage of BBQ customers. The leak-resistant sizing also means smokehouse paper can be transported to catering without leaking through the container below.

The actual specs that are important prior to ordering bulk butcher paper

Commercial-grade butcher paper is approximately 40 lb basis weight and is uncoated and treated with water-based sizing rather than wax or silicone. Rolls are available in standard widths ranging from 12 to 36 inches, and lengths ranging from 150 to 700 feet; thus, a small smokehouse or a multi-location chain can each order the width it uses. When shopping for kraft paper, be sure to check if it is FDA food-contact approved and explicitly PFAS-free, as not all kraft paper found in the market is marked with either. For custom printing, it is done with food-safe ink on one side, leaving the wrapping side clean.

Despite smokehouses, who else is purchasing it?

The prime market is smokehouses and custom food wrapping paper but the same paper is used in large quantities in other markets, namely butcher counters and meat markets for a different purpose. Smoked meat is wrapped for transport, as the breathability prevents the meat from getting soft when put in a hotel pan. If you’re operating a food truck with a smoker off a trailer, you’ll require more than a kitchen counter, so get a roll made for outdoor preparation. Any of the above are supplied by distributors on the case and not on the roll.

The one thing that kitchens do wrong that twice costs them money.

The error here is purchasing based on the price per roll without reference to the basis weight or the quality of the sizing. Cheap, unsized roll leaks grease onto trays and tears when wet, which occurs continually in the smoker application. Use 40 lb or more when filling with a brisket; always check FDA food-contact claims.

FAQs

Q: What is the smallest quantity of wholesale butcher paper? 

A: Most BBQ starts with a case of rolls. The lower price per roll is a reflection of the volume of pallets produced.

Q: Can you use butcher paper in a smoker at a high temp?

A: Yes, that’s correct, and the normal temperature of a smoker is 225 to 275°F. It’s designed for heat and moisture, not to be baked in a hot oven!

Conclusion

The Deli Paper sells Butcher Paper directly from the mill, which is where the smokehouses order in the widths and lengths they need, without the price being marked up by another distributor. Ask the price on wholesale butcher paper based on the amount of paper you need for your smoker, not on a number of rolls of paper. If you’re interested in a full pallet of product, call 832-900-9245 or email sales@thedelipaper.com to request a sample roll of product prior to ordering.