How to place foil on a baking sheet: explanation

Baking food in foil is one of the most popular methods of heat treatment. It is especially favored by health-conscious individuals, as foil allows the preservation of the beneficial properties of food, and cooking is quick and easy.

The foil should not be used in the microwave: the shiny material will reflect microwaves, and the food inside will remain cold. Read OBOZREVATEL's article on how to cook in the oven and which side to put the foil on the baking sheet.

How to Choose Foil

In stores and supermarkets, foil is sold in different thicknesses, each intended for different purposes.

The thinnest foil with a thickness of 9 microns is not recommended for heat treatment; it is only intended for food storage. It can be used, for example, to wrap a sandwich or a snack for a trip.

The 11-micron foil is suitable for baking meat, fish, and vegetables in the oven, while the 14-micron foil is optimal for grilling.

Which side to put the foil on the baking sheet

An important question is often raised on culinary forums and blogs: which side of the foil should be used to cover a baking sheet? It is believed that matte and glossy surfaces have different effects, and when cooking, it is better to have the matte side facing outward - it will not reflect heat, and the food will bake faster.

In fact, the different surfaces are explained by the peculiarities of the technological process. Special metal rollers are used to roll aluminum into thin sheets: one side is polished to a high gloss, while the other is not. So, it doesn't matter which side you put the foil in the oven; it won't affect the baking speed or taste.

Instead, pay attention to the density of the wrapping. If potatoes, meat, or fish are wrapped loosely and a layer of air is trapped between the food and the foil, this can increase the cooking time.

The difference in surfaces plays a minor role in food storage. Cooks advise wrapping food with the glossy side inward if you are going on a trip and want to keep the food warm as long as possible. The matte surface absorbs heat, while the glossy surface partially reflects light and heat. However, these differences do not matter during heat treatment.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL talked about what kind of cookware can be used in the oven.

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