Which side of aluminum foil reflects heat

Which side of aluminum foil reflects heat

Aluminum foil is a very common product found in many kitchens, often used in the heating of foods. Aluminum foil is a versatile product that is recyclable, making it often more appealing than plastic wrap. Since it is reflective, it doesn’t become extremely hot in the oven like pans or glass containers.

The two sides of our household aluminum foil are different, one is glossy and the other is dark.

Why are the two sides of aluminum foil different

The reason for this difference in appearance is the manufacturing process

In order to roll aluminium down to the thickness required for household aluminum foil (approximately 0.01-0.02mm), two coils of aluminium strip have to be passed through the rolling mill at the same time – a process called ‘doubling’. The result is that the external side then has a shiny finish and the internal side is matt. The idea that the difference in finish enhances cooking is simply a marketing ploy by the foil producers, who could not make it shiny (or dull) on both sides even if they wanted to.

Which side of aluminum foil reflects heat

Aluminum foil has a very strong reflective ability and can reflect light and heat. Although the reflective ability of the bright side is slightly better than that of the dark side, it is negligible compared to the reflective ability of the aluminum foil itself, that is, the reflection of the light side and the dark side Capabilities are almost the same.

For example, Robert L. Wolke in What Einstein Told His Cook and America’s Test Kitchen say that it makes no difference at all in cooking. You can place either side in either direction whether cooking or freezing food with aluminum foil.

How to Use Aluminum Foil Properly

When using aluminum foil, there are normally two requirements. One is that when heating, we hope that the food can absorb heat as soon as possible; the other is heat preservation, and we hope that the food can be kept at a certain temperature.

When you need to heat food

When you need to heat food, you need the bright side to face the food, because the bright side has a relatively higher reflective ability (although it is negligible), which can transfer more heat to the food and make it heat faster.
Another important point is that the bright side of the aluminum foil needs to face the heat source, and try to avoid completely covering the food with aluminum foil.

When food needs to be kept warm

When we use aluminum foil to wrap food and need to keep food warm, we need aluminum foil to retain more heat for food, then we still need to use bright surface to wrap food, so that bright aluminum foil can retain more heat in the food itself, making it The heat preservation time is longer.

There is another point on how to use aluminum foil correctly

The criteria are the lowest risk of toxicity and the best quality of food preservation (e.g. resistance to oxidation, or reaction with acidic or alkaline ingredients)

Aluminum foil is actually made of two layers: one of aluminum, another that is coating. The surface of the aluminum layer that is in contact with the atmosphere oxidizes and turns into aluminum oxide — hence the matte side.

In that case, we should use the shiny side, since aluminum oxide is not that healthy.

Through the above articles, whether it is necessary to quickly heat food, keep food warm, or minimize the contact of toxic and harmful substances (aluminum oxide), using aluminum foil on both sides to contact food is the right choice.

Household Aluminum Foil Jumbo Roll Suppliers

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