You may know it as tin foil or foil paper. Whatever you call it, aluminum foil has been popular since the early 1900s when it was first released for commercial use. Beyond Thomas Edison using its ancestor, the tin foil, to make the first human voice recording, the aluminum foil has become a kitchen must-have because of its unique properties and versatility.

Aluminum foil is a lightweight shiny metal made from thinned-out sheets of alloyed aluminum (as against the tin foil made of tin, although the names are interchangeable). The thickness is generally under 0.6mm but may vary. Aluminum is the most abundant metal on earth, hence its availability and affordability compared to other metals.

What Makes Aluminum Foil Special?

The foil paper has a tenacious characteristic that makes it perfect for all types of cooking and packaging in the kitchen. It can be molded into different shapes and does not loosen quickly. Aluminum foil also conducts heat efficiently and can regulate the temperature. It is the ideal choice for hot and cold foods.

Additionally, using aluminum foil doesn’t lead to any profound health implications. Its resistance to corrosion and toxicity encourages its use for long-term preservation.

Kitchen Uses of Aluminum Foil

• Roasts and Grills: Aluminum foil helps retain the moisture of food so that it does not shrink, burn quickly or cause greasy messes. Because of its heat tolerance, you can use it to keep your meat kebab or small chops warm for a long time. To prevent spills on the grill while making your barbecue, line the grill bar with foil paper and after cooking, use it to clean the spills.
• Baking: Aluminum foil can line baking trays and molds on the inside to prevent food from sticking to the pan. Where your cake is ready for icing, and you don’t have a piping bag, use foil paper instead. It is strong enough to hold the icing and even form improvised molds of different shapes.
• Freezing: To freeze food for a long time, use heavyweight wraps instead of light sheets. This completely insulates the food for freezing over a long period, even up to a year.
• Frying: Did you know you can fry eggs without oil using a sheet of foil to line the frying pan? Aluminum foil is so versatile that you can also use them to reheat crispy food that may get burnt quickly.
• Cleaning: A rolled-up ball of aluminum foil can scrape cast iron clean. This is a welcome substitute for harsh abrasives that may damage the material. If you want to renew the shine of your silverware, place them on a sheet of aluminum foil inside a bowl, pour water, and sprinkle some salt. Leave to rest for some minutes before drying up your sparkling-anew spoons and knives.

You can also use the foil paper to sharpen kitchen scissors, to design your toast and make interesting shape plates. In all these uses, bear in mind to never place a foil sheet directly in the microwave or oven. Failure to do this can lead to a fire hazard.