Aluminum foil has many uses in the kitchen and beyond, from tenting over casseroles to even cleaning grill grates. But it's not infallible.
There are some aluminum foil uses we don't recommend, either because they're not effective or they're just downright dangerous. We're not suggesting you toss this versatile kitchen wrap, but do make sure you're not committing any of these common aluminum foil mistakes.
1. Don't use aluminum foil to bake cookies.
When it comes to baking cookies, it's best to reach for parchment paper over aluminum foil. That's because aluminum is extremely conductive, meaning any part of the dough that makes direct contact with the foil will be exposed to much more concentrated heat than the rest of the dough. What you end up with is a cookie that's over browned or even burnt on the bottom and undercooked on the top.
Read More: Why You Should Never Bake Cookies on an Aluminum Foil-Lined Baking Sheet
2. Don't put aluminum foil in the microwave.
This one may go without saying, but a little reminder never hurts: According to the FDA, you should never put aluminum foil in the microwave because microwaves reflect off the aluminum, causing food to cook unevenly and possibly damage the oven (including sparks, flames, or even fires).
3. Don't use aluminum foil to line the bottom of your oven.
Lining the very bottom of your oven with aluminum foil might sound like a good way to catch spills and avoid major oven cleanups, but the folks at Reynolds don't recommend it: "To avoid possible heat damage to your oven, we do not recommend using aluminum foil to line the bottom of your oven." Instead of placing a sheet of aluminum foil on the oven floor, place a sheet on an oven rack below whatever you're baking to catch drips (make sure the sheet is only a few inches larger than your baking dish to allow for proper heat circulation). You can also just keep a sheet of foil on the lowest rack of your oven at all times, replacing the foil as necessary, in order to always have a layer of disposal protection against spills.
4. Don't use aluminum foil to store leftovers.
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for three to four days, but aluminum foil isn't ideal for storing them. Foil is not airtight, meaning no matter how tightly you wrap it, some air will get in. This allows bacteria to grow faster. Instead, store leftovers in airtight storage containers or food storage bags.
5. Don't toss aluminum foil after one use.
Turns out, Grandma was right. Foil can certainly be reused. If it's not too crumpled or soiled, you can wash aluminum foil by hand or in the top rack of the dishwasher to get a few extra miles out of each sheet. When you decide it's time to retire a sheet of aluminum foil, it can be recycled.
6. Don't bake potatoes in aluminum foil.
Think twice before wrapping your spuds in foil. Aluminum foil does trap heat, but it traps moisture, too. This means your potato will end up more soggy and steamed as opposed to baked and crisp.
In fact, the Idaho Potato Commission is adamant that baking potatoes in aluminum foil is a bad practice. Plus, storing a baked potato in the aluminum foil it was baked in gives botulinum bacteria the potential to grow.
So even if you do choose to bake your potatoes in aluminum foil, be sure to remove the foil before storing it in the fridge.
7. Don't use just the shiny side on aluminum foil.
Unless you're using a non-stick aluminum foil, it makes no difference which side of the foil you use. According to Reynolds, it's fine to place food on both the dull and shiny side of aluminum foil. The difference in appearance has to do with the milling process, in which one side comes in contact with the mill's highly polished steel rollers.
FAQs
While the main health risks for most people are longterm, it is possible to be exposed to dangerous levels of aluminum. Among the symptoms of toxic aluminum exposure: confusion, muscle weakness, aching bones, seizures and slow growth (in children).
What are 3 dangers to your health of using aluminum foil? ›
While the main health risks for most people are longterm, it is possible to be exposed to dangerous levels of aluminum. Among the symptoms of toxic aluminum exposure: confusion, muscle weakness, aching bones, seizures and slow growth (in children).
What does aluminum foil do to the human body? ›
Is aluminium foil hazardous for our health? No, aluminium foil in itself is not hazardous for our health. However, as a precautionary measure strongly acidic products or foods that contain a lot of salt shouldn't be kept or barbecued in aluminium foil.
What side of aluminum foil is bad? ›
Foil has a shiny side and a dull side because of how it is manufactured. Unless you are using foil that's labeled non-stick, which does have a non-stick side, it does not matter what side you use. Both the shiny and dull sides can be used the same way to cook, freeze, and store food.
Why shouldn't we use aluminium foil? ›
One of the other reasons why we shouldn't store leftover food in aluminium foil is that it doesn't do a good enough job to keep oxygen from getting into the food. This allows bacteria to grow inside the food, which may spoil the food the next day and it'll go bad just as quickly as if you hadn't wrapped it up at all.
Is aluminum foil toxic when heated? ›
Small amounts of aluminum can also enter your bloodstream but will leave your body quickly through the urine. Research shows that cooking aluminum at high temperatures and the use of acidic foods, salt and spices did perpetuate a greater amount of leaching of the mineral.
Why should you never wrap leftovers in aluminum foil? ›
The problem? Foil does not completely seal the food from air, which allows bacteria to grow faster. Some bacteria, like staph, can make toxins which are not killed when food is cooked.
What happens when you wrap your feet in aluminum foil for 1 hour? ›
Although some claim it can help relieve pain by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow, there isn't enough scientific evidence to support these claims. Additionally, wrapping feet in aluminum foil can pose health risks. Aluminum foil can cause heat build-up, leading to burns and tissue damage.
What are signs of aluminum toxicity? ›
History. The signs and symptoms of aluminum toxicity are usually nonspecific. Typical presentations in chronic toxicity may include proximal muscle weakness, bone pain, multiple nonhealing fractures, acute or subacute alteration in mental status, and premature osteoporosis.
Is there a difference between aluminum foil and tin foil? ›
Tin foil is stiffer than aluminum foil. It tends to give a slight tin taste to food wrapped in it, which is a major reason it has largely been replaced by aluminum and other materials for wrapping food.
Microwaves work by using electromagnetic energy to stimulate the molecules inside food and produce heat. When used improperly, aluminum foil can disrupt the electromagnetic energy and result in undercooked food or even damage to your appliance.
Should I stop using aluminum foil? ›
Aluminum foil isn't considered dangerous, but it can increase the aluminum content of your diet by a small amount. If you are concerned about the amount of aluminum in your diet, you may want to stop cooking with aluminum foil.
Why not cover food with aluminum foil? ›
Don't use aluminum foil to store leftovers.
This allows bacteria to grow faster. Instead, store leftovers in airtight storage containers or food storage bags.
Why is tin foil no longer used? ›
Durability: Aluminum foil is sturdy while tin foil is stiff, and tin foil is more likely to give foods a bitter, metallic taste.
What is safer than aluminum foil? ›
5. Cedar planks. Another great way to add flavor to your food and avoid aluminum foil at the same time is to use cedar planks, like these, when grilling meats, fish, and veggies. They can be used over and over and are 100% natural with no harmful substances.
Is baking on aluminum foil safe? ›
Yes, aluminum foil is ideal for oven use. Aluminum foil is safe and convenient and helps reflect heat to enable your food to cook evenly. It also withstands the highest temperatures in most home ovens, making it an excellent choice for baking and cooking.
How much aluminum is toxic to humans? ›
In general, the amount of aluminum in the blood will be less than 10 micrograms per liter or less than 60 micrograms per liter in patients undergoing dialysis [67]. Toxicity occurs at concentrations of more than 100 micrograms per liter [68].
What can I use instead of aluminum foil? ›
The best alternatives to aluminum foil are:
- Cedar Wraps.
- Beeswax Food Wraps.
- Silicone Food Covers.
- Silicone Baking Sheets or Mats.
- Glass Containers.
