One question many home cooks have pondered at least once is ‘should I use the shiny or the dull side of the aluminum foil? Have I been doing it wrong this whole time?’ Some think the shiny side reflects more heat, resulting in a crispier finish, while others assume the dull side is a better conductor, creating a more even cooking surface.
We’re here to solve this longstanding mystery and to also reassure you that you haven’t been making any grave aluminum foil-related mistakes all these years. According to cooking experts, there is no “correct” side of aluminum foil to use, they’re both equally effective at heating your food, so you're free to choose whatever side you prefer.
But if there’s no trick to it, then why does aluminum foil have a shiny side and a dull side, to begin with? Huffington Post checked with experts a Reynold's Kitchen, and the answer is - it has to do with the manufacturing process. Tinfoil is made in a process called milling, during which heat and tension are applied to stretch and shape the foil.
Reynold’s kitchen provided a detailed explanation on their website:
The foil is ‘milled’ in layers during production. Milling is a process whereby heat and tension are applied to stretch the foil to the desired thickness. We mill two layers in contact with each other at the same time, because if we didn’t, the foil would break during the milling process. Where the foil is in contact with another layer, that’s the ‘dull’ side. The ‘shiny’ side is the side milled without being in contact with another sheet of metal. The performance of the foil is the same, whichever side you use.
If you use non-stick foil, however, there actually is a difference between the two sides, as the non-stick coating is only applied to one side. If that is the product you’re using, then you must make sure that the food only makes contact with the dull side. In most cases, it is imprinted with a “non-stick side” so it’s easy to avoid confusion. And that’s all you need to know. Now you’re prepared for an easy-breezy holiday cooking session.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends and family
11 Grease Removal Tips You Wish You Knew Before!
Grease stains can be notoriously difficult to remove, but that will be a thing of the past if you use these 11 fantastic grease-removal methods.
35 Cooking Hacks That'll Make Your Life a Whole Lot Easier
These 35 cooking hacks will make your life in the kitchen a whole lot easier.
You Don’t Need Fancy Gadgets For Cooking or Cleaning!
Once you learn these clever hacks, you will never have to buy another cooking or cleaning gadget.
6 Simple and Practical Tips To Organize Your Kitchen
A well organized kitchen is the first step to a gratifying cooking experience
How to Get the Best Results from Your Slow Cooker
Do you have a slow cooker at home? If so, these tips will help you get the most out of it!
Drilling Holes In Your Bin Can Make Your Life Much Easier!
Drilling holes in your trash can? Yes! Learn two easy tricks that will make taking out the trash much easier
These 20 Awesome Tool Hacks Will Make Your Life Easier
These awesome tool hacks will make your life so much easier!
Here's How You Can Declutter Your Home in Just One Month
If you're looking to declutter your home but don't know where to begin, these 12 tips might just help you out!
Experts Warn Against Ordering These Foods at Restaurants
According to the experts, you should avoid ordering the following 8 foods at restaurants. You'll want to heed their advice.
How to Help Prepare for a Snow Storm – 11 Vital Steps
Don't let a winter storm take you by surprise. Prepare with these important steps.
All My Life I've Been Opening Bananas Wrong. Shocked.
I Never Knew How to Really Open a Banana...
Solve Common Issues With Your Clothes Using These 20 Tips
Keep your clothes in perfect condition with these nifty tricks!
7 Myths About Burning Calories
Burning calories is something we all want, but we need to know what we're doing first, and that means disproving these 7 common but misguided myths about calorie burning.
Bacteria Time Bomb! 10 Household Items That Need Changing
You wouldn't believe the amount of harmful bacteria these common household items store, and what what a short lifespan they actually have!
How to Make a Candle-Powered Snow Globe
If you're still looking for decoration ideas, this one is a whopper!
Wasting Time: 5 Misconceptions About Time That Delay Us
How to use our time in a way that will help us to bring happiness and success.
Why You Need to Avoid Palm Oil Right Away
Palm oil is harmful to the environment. Here's what to do about it.
8 Awesome YouTube Channels For Simple At-Home DIY Guides
Become a home renovation expert with these awesome home DIY YouTube channels.
7 Common Sofa Arranging Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Make sure you don’t make these common sofa arranging mistakes in your living room.
20 Gardening Tips That'll Turn Your Thumb Green
This video will help you grow just about anything.
The Perfect Morning Guide: How to Start Your Morning Right
Are your co-workers not allowed to talk to you before you’ve had a cup of coffee? You probably need to change up your morning routine!
The 11 Best Places to Retire to in 2024
Before you is a list of recommended places to retire to in 2024, all of which offer mix of affordable living, quality healthcare, vibrant communities, and diverse cultural experiences.
10 Fantastic Tips for Perfectly Folded Clothes
Folding can be such a chore, and hard to get right. Here are 10 incredibly easy ways to fold your clothes fast and right!
Don't Throw Your Old Kitchen Items Away, Do This Instead...
Is it time your old kitchen items get replaced? Why not give them a creative facelift? Here are some terrific DIY home ideas to inspire you.
Keep Your Shoes in Top Shape with These Tips and Tricks
Learn how to always keep your shoes in top shape, no matter their age or fabric. I guarantee, it will save you a lot of money because you won’t have to buy new shoes so often anymore.
8 Surprising Ways Vinegar Can Help With Pet Care
From being a natural flea remedy to cleaning the aquarium, vinegar proves to be an excellent option for taking care of your pets.
Senior Health Guide: Working Out With Weights
Every senior must watch this video.
How to Remove Ugly Water Stains from Wooden Furniture
Water stains can destroy the look of your wooden furniture and floors. Here's how you can remove them.
These Are The Financial Secrets of This Billionaire
When it comes to making money, you have to listen to men like Warren Buffet - they really know what they are talking about.
10 Natural Home Remedies EVERYONE Should Know!
Not Feeling well? We recommend that you think outside the box, or in this case outside the medicine cabinet with the following 10 effective natural medicines!
9 Foods that Directly Affect Our Body Odor
In this article, you can find details about six ingredients that can make your body odor unpleasant, and three more that bring out a nice scent.
Here Are 10 Foods You Should Never Keep in the Pantry!
Are you the type of person who stores most of your food in the pantry? If so, you really must read this as there are foods that should never be stowed there!
I Usually Wake Up 3 A.M. to Pee. What's The Reason?
Do you find yourself waking up at around 3 a.m. every other night to pee? There’s a reason for it.
Guide: How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents at Home
As you age you will find yourself spending more time at home. This guide gives you tips and ideas for making your home safe, comfortable and easy to navigate.
Should You Choose or Avoid Copper Pans?
Copper is a great antibacterial metal. Why then don't we all cook in it? This video will help you decide.
If You See a Baby Choking, Do You Know What To Do?
If you see a baby choking, do you know what to do? This guide explains.
Keep Your Jewelry Sparkling Clean With This Perfect Guide
Jewelry is quick to tarnish and lose its beauty. But don't despair - use these cheap and easy methods to clean it at home!
This DIY Shampoo Bar is Easy to Make and Great for Hair
Why harm your hair with toxic chemicals when you can make a natural shampoo bar at home?
Seniors Living Alone Should Always Have These Items
Want to make life easier on your elderly loved one who lives alone? Check this list.
DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stencil in 8 Easy Steps
Get a designer look for half the price. This easy DIY guide will show you how to make a beautiful wall stencil in 8 easy steps.
This Is Why You Should Never Throw Away Your Lemon Peels
25 reasons why you should definitely keep your lemon peels.
This Special Kind of Bread is Both Beautiful and Delicious
Tired of regular bread? How about surprising everyone with this beautiful and delicious "Watermelon Bread"? It's so easy to make!
Tips For a Happier Life: How Much Free Time Is Optimal?
People love fantasizing about a world with unlimited free time. But is having a lot of free time always the best option for one's well-being and happiness?
Guide: Did You Know About These Extra Uses?
This collection features the best tips and alternative uses for many of your household items. Each of these posts has a lot of information for alternative uses to make your lives easier.
12 Unusual DIY “Hacks” People Used to Improve Their Lives
Take a look at some weird and unusual "inventions" made by people to solve their everyday problems.
Never Put Your Phone in These 8 Common Places!
If you care about your cell phone and your health, then make sure you never leave your device in any of these places.
20 Unexpected Things You Can Plant in February
You’d be surprised at just how many plants you can get planted in February!