In reference to kitchen wrap (aluminum, paper or plastic), do you prefer to tear up against the lid, or down against the box?

Is there a built in serrated cutter? If so, use that. If not, use box, it tends to be sturdier than the lid.

I prefer to use what's on the box, no matter what its orientation. That's because the box usually has a cutter of some kind built in, and the position varies between brands of a given wrap.

Now, I have noticed on average that when the cutter is on the box under the lid (and thus you'd pull down against the box) I get less tears and fucked up edges overall, regardless of quality or brand.

So I guess that's my preference overall if I could wava a wand and make them all the same

I hate plastic wrap so much. Often it comes down to wrapping the item and then just ripping it because the cutter is gone.

The other items I will use the box in a pinch with no cutter.

Plastic up, the others down

Up

For plastic the trick is to wrap the entire thing and the pull the thing to tear the plastic straight off the serrated edge.

I just grip the box closed after I've pulled what I need and yank it free

I think it's usually the bottom side of the opening with the serration, so probably that side

Baking paper is also available in pre cut rolls. Just pull square out of the roll, and start using it. No need to cut anything.

Fancy plastic film comes with a small metal blade that travels on a plastic rail. It cuts the film very smoothly when compared to any other option I’ve seen anywhere.

Cutting aluminum foil is a bit different. Which side of the box has the serrations? Use that edge for cutting.

As I usually have a knife handy when I work in the kitchen, there is no need to tear or rip.the foils.