Why household foil is so useful in the home
Barrier
Alufoil’s total barrier to light, steam, aromas and liquids is the principal reason for its use in the kitchen. The same property can be used to stop evaporation and drying of paint, adhesives and fillers used in home decoration.
Heat conductivity
Aluminium is very conductive to heat. If used in cooking, the oven heat is hardly diminished by the aluminium foil used to cover a dish or a joint of meat or poultry.
Heat resistance
Alufoil resists the highest temperatures encountered in cooking, whether it is in a convection oven or under the hottest grill.
Deadfold
A major advantage when used in the kitchen is the ‘deadfold’ characteristic of aluminium foil. Once folded around a joint of meat, for example, or crimped onto the top of a casserole or storage pot, the aluminium stays folded and does not spring back.
Economy
Alufoil can often be re-used in the kitchen provided the normal rules of hygiene are followed. Because the metal is impervious, just a single layer can be used to make an effective seal.
Sustainability
Alufoil used in the kitchen reduces spoilage of sensitive products and, thanks to its barrier function, can save energy and material resources. Also, the aluminium from used household foil can be recycled at a fraction of its original energy cost. In several countries, collection schemes ensure that the valuable aluminium content of domestic waste is directly recovered.
Applications
In the kitchen – the largest domestic use
roasting poultry and meat – shrinkage
cooking delicate fish and vegetables ‘en papillote’
lidding storage pots (not in with steel cans)
protecting parts of poultry *microwave ‘burn’
making small storage containers the refrigerator
wrapping for the freezer
‘sealing’ saucepans to retain steam
baking ‘jacket’ potatoes
lining cake tins, ‘lift-out’ strips
wrapping sandwiches and snacks
keeping food and ‘left-overs’ refrigerator – cakes, meat,
saving cleaning – lining a grill lining the oven floor
Recent innovations
Household foil is now available in a variety of formats. In addition to the range of widths and lengths, there are now textured versions and ready-cut sheets making it easy to quickly use without unreeling and tearing. There is also a ‘non-stick’ foil which solves any problem of baked-on food and can keep the foil cleaner for re-use. The latest idea is a special foil, black on one side, which transfers radiant heat more efficiently from the black side – ideal for roasting.
Around the home
use to keep paintbrushes and other decorating materials from drying out
making temporary trays for roller painting
drip trays to catch oil from garden machinery, cars etc.
making reflector boards for amateur photography
temporary reflectors for lamps, candles
bird scarers in the garden
sunlight reflectors to help ripening of soft fruit
lining bases of flower pots
protecting shelves and adding reflected light in the greenhouse
aluminium foil is also sometimes used in the training of pet cats: because cats don’t like treading on aluminium foil, they can be discouraged from jumping on furniture or shelves by covering surfaces.
