1. Distinguish the front and back sides for use
Aluminum foil is usually divided into glossy (bright) and matte (dark). The matte side should be in direct contact with food because of its rough surface and strong heat absorption; the glossy side is used to reflect heat to prevent sticking and accelerate cooking.
If the glossy side contacts the food, it may cause uneven heating or sticking.
Because the glossy side reflects heat, when covering the baking tray or wrapping food, the glossy side facing up can reflect heat to avoid partial burning of the food.
2. Avoid contact with specific substances
Avoid directly wrapping acidic ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes, or alkaline substances such as baking soda to prevent chemical reactions from releasing metal ions.
If you need to wrap acidic food, you can first isolate it with baking paper and then use aluminum foil on the outer layer.
Aluminum foil has a high melting point (about 660℃), but direct contact with open flames (such as grill flames) may cause partial melting or deformation. Indirect heating (such as oven or baking tray) is recommended.
III. Cooking and Preservation Tips
When wrapping meat, the matte side should contact the food and seal the edges to retain the juice and make the grilled meat more tender.
When steaming, wrap the food with aluminum foil to form a steam barrier to keep the original flavor.
When baking cakes and biscuits, cover with aluminum foil (glossy side up) to prevent excessive coloring or cracking on the surface.
Turn the food over halfway to ensure that both sides are heated evenly.
The matte side of the aluminum foil contacts the food, and the shiny side is wrapped outside for refrigeration or freezing to prevent moisture and oxidation, which can extend the shelf life of the food.
IV. Safety Precautions
Choose food-grade aluminum foil
Make sure the package is marked "food grade" and avoid industrial aluminum foil. High-quality aluminum foil has moderate thickness, smooth surface, and is not easy to break.
Avoid reuse
Aluminum foil that has not been in contact with grease or seasoning can be wiped and reused, but if it is damaged or stained with residue, it must be discarded.
Reasonable cutting
Cut according to the size of the ingredients, leave space when wrapping, and avoid over-tightening to affect the heat cycle.
V. Special scene application
Oven use: Preheat the oven in advance, adjust the temperature and time according to the type of food, and turn over halfway to ensure uniformity.
Anti-stick treatment: Lightly brush cooking oil on the matte surface of the aluminum foil to reduce the risk of sticking.
