I try to use generic-branded items as much as possible, for cost reasons. Most of the time the difference in quality is imperceptible; I certainly can’t identify a difference between Price Chopper and Morton salt. In some cases, the generic and the branded items come from the same manufacturing facility, like Jif and Great Value (Wal-Mart) peanut butter–they both came from the same facility in Georgia that was infested with Salmonella.

There is, however, a surprising difference in other products. I purchased a roll of “Ranch Wagon” clear plastic wrap on discount for $1. Saran wrap costs close to $4 for 100-ft, so I figured that it would be a huge savings. Wrong.  The trade-off comes in the form of pain and frustration every time I use it. You’d think all clear wrap were made to be equal, but this is not true. “Ranch Wagon” plastic wrap has amazing clingy properties only to itself–the moment it touches itself you will never be able to untangle the mess. It does not cling to anything else (bowls, silverware…etc), which makes it utterly useless for its intended purpose.

Saran wrap is constructed from low density polyethylene, usually laced with a lighter polymer to add some extra cling. I suppose the generic stuff doesn’t have the additional touch.  Lesson learned: never again will I buy generic plastic wrap.  I wonder if generic aluminum foil is comparable to Reynolds aluminum foil wrap…stay tuned.

misc food