Does it matter if you cook with the aluminum foil shiny side out or facing into your food?

Question

Does it cook faster? slower? Does it matter?
.....or is it just a matter of the rolling process that makes one side shiny and the other dull.....any chemists or knowledgeable cooks/chefs out there? Just curious...I usually cook shiny side out...??????

Great answers....thanks to the people who gave the Reynold's Aluminum answer....Still waiting to hear more on experiences and thoughts!!!!

Answer 1

Which side of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil should I use, the shiny or the dull side?
Actually, it makes no difference which side of the aluminum foil you use—both sides do the same fine job of cooking, freezing and storing food. The difference in appearance between dull and shiny is due to the foil manufacturing process. In the final rolling step, two layers of foil are passed through the rolling mill at the same time. The side coming in contact with the mill's highly polished steel rollers becomes shiny. The other side, not coming in contact with the heavy rollers, comes out with a dull or matte finish.

The exception is when using Reynolds Wrap® Release® Non-Stick Aluminum Foil. The non-stick coating is applied during manufacturing to the dull side of the foil. Always place the non-stick (dull) side toward the food.

Answer 2

Aluminum Foil Shiny Side

Answer 3

Which side of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil should I use, the shiny or the dull side?
Actually, it makes no difference which side of the aluminum foil you use—both sides do the same fine job of cooking, freezing and storing food. The difference in appearance between dull and shiny is due to the foil manufacturing process. In the final rolling step, two layers of foil are passed through the rolling mill at the same time. The side coming in contact with the mill's highly polished steel rollers becomes shiny. The other side, not coming in contact with the heavy rollers, comes out with a dull or matte finish.

The exception is when using Reynolds Wrap® Release® Non-Stick Aluminum Foil. The non-stick coating is applied during manufacturing to the dull side of the foil. Always place the non-stick (dull) side toward the food.

Answer 4

I was always told that it's best to have the shiny side towards the food, because the shininess reflects the heat and apparently helps to stop your grub getting burnt on one side and not on the other.

Hence the reason why the heat-proof suits which scientists wear when walking inside volcanos are shiny on the outside.

Of course it doesn't really make any difference since the advent of fan-assisted ovens, which circulate the heat all around the food.

Answer 5

I don't think it makes any difference. aluminum foil transfers teh heat regardless of which side is facing out. the easy way to test is to hold a match/lighter under the foil with a thermometer above it. try it with both sides down, and see if it makes a dif. the shiny side isn't going to "reflect" heat, the foil transfers it too easily/quickly to make a difference.

Answer 6

If you're using the foil to stop your food drying out, cook shiny side out as it will cook all the way through without drying out the top. If you're not sure what you're using it for, cook shiny side in as it will cook quicker.

Answer 7

How To Use Aluminum Foil

Answer 8

Some folks think it does, but the experts all say it doesn't make any difference whatsoever. Still, just to be on the safe side, if I want an item to brown better, I'll put the shiny side next to the food. I don't know that it helps, but I'll try anything that might!

Answer 9

If you have the shiny side out, it will reflect the heat and it will take longer to cook. Use the shiny side in to hold the heat into the product better.

Answer 10

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Dull down, effects reflecting, and thorough cooking. When wrapping, shiny side faces out.