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Reynolds Settles the Debate: This Is What Each Side of Aluminum Foil Is For
Allrecipes ^ | Dec 23, 2024 | Novella Lui

Posted on 12/23/2024 6:33:33 PM PST by where's_the_Outrage?

Whether you're an occasional home cook or devote your waking hours to making gastronomic creations, you will likely agree that aluminum foil (aka tin foil) is one of the most versatile products in the kitchen. Whether you use it to line sheet trays, cover roasting meats, or shape it into a pouch to cook or reheat leftover foods in the oven, aluminum foil can do so many things.

While the thin metal is used by 319 million Americans each year (according to one 2020 study), have you ever wondered why one side is shiny while the other is dull? Recently, a video went viral on social media claiming that the side you use should depend on how and what you will use the foil for. But is there any truth to that? Is the dull side intended for certain uses, and the shiny intended for others? To settle the confusion, we consulted some experts about the "right way" to use aluminum foil.

The short answer is no. Since the matte and gloss are a result of the foil's contact with the roller, Tiro asserts that there is no difference in the material make-up of both sides of the foil. Whether the foil is regular or heavy duty, you can choose your preferred side to line or cover your food, as neither side will impact your food upon contact.....

While conventional aluminum foil doesn't require using a specific side for cooking, an exception applies to non-stick aluminum foil. Tiro explains that regular foil isn't inherently non-stick, but many companies produce a non-stick aluminum foil containing an FDA-approved coating on the dull side, That means foods should be placed on that side to get the benefits on the non-stick coating, ensuring easier, cleaner removal of cooked food.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Food; Science
KEYWORDS: aluminium; aluminumfoil; deathrayreflector; foil; tinfoil
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

The description of the two sides wasn’t complete.

I was involved in the design of an aluminum rolling mill many years ago. The final process has two thin sheets made simulltaneously, as the article describes. But why two sheets? Why not one? Why can’t you flatten and make one sheet? The reason is because when you make one, the sheet does not hold its form and will break down (forming cracks I suppose). For some reason, rolling two sheets at the same time mitigates the breaking down. Right after the rolling, there is a slitter that divides the two sheets which are then rolled up separately.


41 posted on 12/23/2024 8:01:31 PM PST by johnnygeneric (Blocked website)
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To: lee martell
Wrong way to use foil....

42 posted on 12/23/2024 8:01:47 PM PST by Waverunner
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

Yeah, I’m going to trust an “FDA approved coating.”

After RFK Jr. takes care of the big stuff maybe he can take a look at that. :D


43 posted on 12/23/2024 8:02:37 PM PST by TigersEye (28 days until the Potato puppet's staff start publishing Tell All books.)
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To: Waverunner

“Foiled again!” said the up and coming Wrapper.


44 posted on 12/23/2024 8:03:56 PM PST by lee martell
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To: Weirdad

Camping on a Boy scout trip. They told us but we didn’t pay attention. Everyone else was eating while I had to wait until my food was done.


45 posted on 12/23/2024 8:04:35 PM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

The Boy Scouts were big on cooking with foil.

It’s makes a pretty good and easy meal when camping.

I have not cooked like that camping for a really long time though!


46 posted on 12/23/2024 8:16:44 PM PST by Weirdad (Orthodox Americanism: It's what's good for the world! (Not communifascism!))
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

The important thing to know is that the foil should never touch your food.


47 posted on 12/23/2024 8:25:53 PM PST by aimhigh (1 John 3:23 "And THIS is His commandment . . . . ")
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To: Waverunner

Hahahaha...!


48 posted on 12/23/2024 8:26:18 PM PST by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: Weirdad

When I lived in the Philippines, my scout troop taught us to cook with bamboo!


49 posted on 12/23/2024 8:28:02 PM PST by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

I worked on several underground nuclear tests, where device (the bomb) output diagnostics were measured. X-rays needed elemental foils to separate energies, and aluminum foil was one used. The primary physicist (since 1959) said always place the shiny side facing the device. He knew it didn’t make an actual difference, but the guys in the test tunnel were as superstitious as base ball players.


50 posted on 12/23/2024 8:33:22 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Weirdad

I foil line my broiler pans when making meatballs.

The grease collects on that making clean up MUCH easier and quicker.


51 posted on 12/23/2024 9:27:48 PM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)
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To: packagingguy

You had a Reynolds Wrap heir for a chemistry lab partner and never found out the difference in using one side or the other?? What is WRONG with you??? ;)


52 posted on 12/23/2024 9:56:23 PM PST by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

I learn so much from Freepers. <:-)


53 posted on 12/23/2024 10:38:23 PM PST by KittyKares
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
"Reynolds Settles the Debate: This Is What Each Side of Aluminum Foil Is For"


54 posted on 12/23/2024 10:47:05 PM PST by clearcarbon (Fraudulent elections have consequences.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

It was never really about food


55 posted on 12/24/2024 12:18:08 AM PST by EERinOK
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

The definitive source on construction.
https://zapatopi.net/afdb/


56 posted on 12/24/2024 12:19:28 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: metmom

I use cooking parchment paper for that when roasting bacon. Works great, is cheaper.


57 posted on 12/24/2024 12:26:30 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: FreedomPoster
So I was right: It can't be stressed enough how important it is to have the shiny side pointing out. This is needed because the shiny side is most reflective to psychotronic radiation, while the dull side can actually, in certain environmental conditions, absorb it.
58 posted on 12/24/2024 12:32:15 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie
I always assumed that too, but never actually compared it....And assumed that it wouldn't make a significant difference; perhaps measurable, but not obvious.... except maybe in a solar cooker.
59 posted on 12/24/2024 2:03:07 AM PST by LegendHasIt
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

We were on a job and there was a gal near the lunch place with a tin-foil hat on. I told her that it would work a lot better if it was grounded to the earth. If she could wait until the end of the day I’d bring some wire back for her. She said she hung around there all day.

The following day she was still wearing her hat - but now with the thin strand of copper wire dragging behind her. I was much younger back then. Not really cruel I guess, but still.


60 posted on 12/24/2024 2:22:01 AM PST by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant - Never Fearful)
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