Aluminum foil thickness selection: from everyday use to professional requirements
The first step in Household Aluminum Foil selection is to look at the thickness, which is directly related to the impact of use. Our typical household aluminum foil is generally between 0.010 mm and 0.024 mm in thickness, and is usually marked "micrometer (µm)" on the packaging. 0.016mm (16µm) Economical, suitable for light applications such as wrapping sandwiches and covering bowls and plates; The 0.018mm (18μm) is a domestic all-purpose model, which can be used for grilling and baking; and the 0.024mm (24µm) thickening type, which is particularly suited for scenes requiring prolonged high-temperature cooking, such as roasting whole chickens or making grilled fish in tin foil.
Professional chefs might use thicker 30µm aluminum foil, but the average family really doesn't need it. There is an easy way to check the price aluminum foil paper roll: weigh the same size of aluminum foil in your hand, and the thickness is obviously heavier. In terms of price, 30cm. Taking a wide standard roll as an example, 10 micron aluminum foil price is about 15-20 yuan/roll, 18μm is 20-25 yuan, and 24μm is 30-40 yuan. Don't just look at the unit price aluminum foil paper roll, it's more realistic to calculate the price per square metre.like 10 micron aluminum foil price,Although the thicker version is more expensive per roll, it is often shorter in length, and the actual cost per square meter can be more than 50%.
Household Aluminum Foil width and length: reasonable match as required
Aluminum foil rolls vary in size on supermarket shelves, and typical widths are 30cm, 38cm, 45cm and aluminum foil roll 150 m. The narrow 30cm version is suitable for wrapping a small portion of a meal or lunch box, the 38cm is a medium choice that can meet most families' needs, and the wider 45cm is suitable for wrapping. In terms of length, domestic aluminum foil is typically 10m, 20m, 30m, and 50m. 10-20 meters is sufficient for a family of two, because aluminum foil is easy to oxidize after opening, and the edges will become brittle if left too long; For a family of four or more, 30 meters can be considered, which is more cost-effective.aluminum foil roll 150 m is also cost effective.
Here's a money-saving trick: Don't be confused by the "super large roll" in the package, be sure to check the actual meter number! Some brands will make the paper tube very thick, which looks like a big roll, but there is actually not much aluminum foil. In terms of price, a 30cm×20m 18μm aluminum foil costs around 25 yuan, and the same specification widened to 45cm costs around 40 yuan. It is recommended to choose according to the size of your oven/baking tray. Too wide and it's rubbish if you can't use it. It also now has boxed aluminum foil with cutters. Although it is 5-8 yuan more expensive, it is really convenient to use, especially for people who bake frequently.
Materials and Surface Treatment: The Key to User Experience
Aluminum foil is not all made of "pure aluminum". There are three basic products on the market: plain aluminum foil (containing more than 99% aluminum), reinforced aluminum foil (with a small amount of other metals added to increase strength) and coated aluminum foil (coated on one side with a heat resistant coating). 99% purity is sufficient for general home use, and the stronger version is more suitable for high-intensity commercial use. One thing that can be easily overlooked is the "bright side" and "matte side" of aluminum foil - the bright side has strong reflectivity and is suitable for fast heat conduction; The matte side has good heat absorption and is suitable for cooking that requires uniform heating. In actual use, it is recommended that the matte side faces the food and the bright side faces the outside, to maximize thermal efficiency.
"Non-stick Household Aluminum Foil" that has appeared in recent years is 30%-50% more expensive than normal foil. The surface is specially treated, and it really isn't easy to stick to the food. It's suitable for easy-to-coat ingredients like grilled cheese and candied sweet potatoes. There's also a kind of "antibacterial aluminum foil" that adds special ingredients, which is about 1 times more expensive, but the average family really doesn't need to do this. Tests have shown that low-quality aluminum foil cracks easily or has a foul odor. You can gently rub a corner when purchasing. After rubbing on good aluminum foil, there will be no obvious cracks, nor sharp metallic smell.
Also on the market are aluminum foils with special functions, such as perforated aluminum foil, pre-shaped aluminum foil and high-temperature resistant aluminum foil. These products are suitable for families with specific needs. Perforated aluminum foil has similar small holes on the surface, which is useful for cooking that requires steam circulation, such as steaming fish or baking juicy ingredients, which can prevent food from soaking in water vapor. They are 10%-20% more expensive than normal aluminum foil. Pre-shaped aluminum foil is some cut tin foil boxes or tin foil bowls, suitable for lazy people or those who need to prepare food quickly. Although the unit is pricey, it is convenient and occasionally useful in baking egg tarts, making garlic vermicelli shrimp and preparing other dishes.
High temperature resistant aluminum foil is a specially treated aluminum foil that can withstand high temperatures (usually marked as over 250°C), suitable for professional baking or high temperature barbecues, such as making pizzas, barbecues etc. At high temperatures, it is still worth the investment. When purchasing, pay attention to the product description to ensure that its temperature resistance meets the requirements and avoid purchasing products with false propaganda. In addition, some aluminum foil will be marked "suitable for air fryer." Such products are usually thicker and can adapt to the high-speed hot air circulation of an air fryer to avoid cracking during cooking.
Conservation and environmental problems of aluminum foil
Although aluminum foil is convenient, it is easy to get wet and oxidized if it is not stored properly, and the edges will become brittle, affecting its use. After opening, it is recommended to keep them in as dry a place as possible. It can be stored in a sealed bag or original box to avoid exposure to moisture. If a white powder (aluminum oxide) is found on the surface of the aluminum foil, although it does not affect its use, it is advisable to use it as soon as possible, as the flexibility of the oxidized aluminum foil will be reduced. It is also a good idea to lay the aluminum foil roll flat. When installed vertically, the aluminum foil can easily deform and is difficult to tear when in use.
While aluminum foil can be recycled from an environmental perspective, household recycling systems are not yet perfect, and many are considered common garbage. So try to minimize unnecessary use, such as not covering with aluminum foil if you can replace it with a pot lid. There are also reusable silicone baking mats or beeswax cloths as options, which are suitable for families with a strong environmental consciousness. If you must use aluminum foil, it is recommended to choose larger packages to reduce packaging waste and to recycle them as much as possible (for example, wiped aluminum foil can be folded up later and saved to cover food). Some tips can reduce the use of aluminum foil, such as using baking paper first when baking food, and then painting using aluminum foil in the final stage, which can achieve the desired effect and save materials.