The Surprising Truth About Aluminum Foil: Are You Using It Correctly?

Whether you're a kitchen novice or a culinary enthusiast, chances are you frequently use aluminum foil. We wrap leftovers in it, use it for sandwiches, cooking, baking, and more. But did you know there's a difference between its two sides?<\/p>

Dan Fox, a social media influencer, claims that choosing the right side is crucial. When wrapping cold foods, the inner, less shiny side—which is matte—should be used. For hot foods, opt for the shiny side. Fox explains that the shiny side withstands heat better.<\/p>

Adding to Fox's insights, Tom Kerridge, a prominent chef in England, affirmed that aluminum foil has a side more resistant to heat. On a BBC program, he said, "There are two sides to aluminum foil. The shiny side and the more matte side. Always remember this—the matte side up, shiny side down. It's the reflective side, keeping heat in as much as possible and making cooking more efficient."<\/p>

However, a manufacturing company argues this is incorrect. They claim the dull side results from the "printing" process of aluminum foil. "It's a common question, and the answer is that the foil is 'milled' in layers during manufacturing," they stated. "Milling involves applying heat and pressure to stretch the foil to the desired thickness. We mill two layers in contact with each other; otherwise, the foil would break during the milling process. The area where the foil contacts another layer is the 'matte' side. The 'shiny' side is milled without contact with another sheet of metal. Both sides of the aluminum foil perform identically, and it doesn't matter which side you choose to use."<\/p>

It's unclear who's right, but one thing is certain—the article has gone viral, with people worldwide testing if the influencer's tip holds true.<\/p>