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Heat can be transferred by 3 mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation. When food is covered by aluminum foil, the foil does reduce convection a bit because the air next to the food is trapped there. A bigger effect is the reflection of the heat by the foil. Rather than continuing on its path to dissipate into the surroundings, the heat is reflected by the foil back into the food, thus helping to keep it warm.

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Related Questions

What metal is used in food?

aluminium foil


Why is aluminium foil used to cook food?

to furthuer cook the food


How does food cook in aluminium foil?

Yes just not in the microwave


Why aluminium sheets are used to cover food?

Aluminum foil is Impermeable and can be heated in the oven. ======================= Aluminium can absorb all the oxygen surrounding the food which can lead to rotting of the food.


Is aluminium foil nonbiodegradable?

No. It is Biodegradable unlike Plastic, witch is non biodegradable. ( I highly appreciate your concern for the environment. So next time feel free to carry your food wrapped in Aluminium foil. )


What keeps food hotter plastic or aluminium foil?

I would have to say that plastic wrap is better at keeping food fresh because it is more of an air tight seal. where as aluminum foil is better at keeping food warm because it reflects heat.hope this helps


What keeps foods colder plastic wrap or aluminum foil?

aluminium foil keeps food colder because it doesn't let air in.


Is aluminum foil the same as aluminum sulfur?

No, aluminum foil and aluminum sulfur are not the same. Aluminum foil is a thin sheet of aluminum metal used for wrapping food, while aluminum sulfur refers to a compound of aluminum and sulfur that is known as aluminum sulfide and has different properties and uses.


What metal is the foil you wrap in your food?

It's commonly called "tin foil" (originally it was made of tin) but it is actually aluminium foil, rolled to a thickness of (typically) less than 0.02 mm.


Why are food particle preferably packed in aluminium foil?

Aluminium foil donot corrode in atmosphere even if kept for a long time.Actually,aprotective coating of aluminium oxide is formed on the surface of the foil.it stops any further reaction of the metal with air and water.The eatables do not get spoiled.


How effective is aluminium foil for food packaging in terms of preserving freshness and preventing contamination?

Aluminium foil is highly effective for food packaging as it helps preserve freshness by blocking out light, oxygen, and moisture. It also acts as a barrier against contamination, such as bacteria and odors, making it a popular choice for storing and transporting food.


IS ALUMINUM FOIL UNHEALTHY?

Yes aluminum foil does have severe health risks due to the problem of aluminum leaching into food. Aluminum is classified in all countries as a poison. The body is unable to digest aluminum and so therefore it accumulates in the liver, kidneys, bones and brain tissues. As it accumulates people can to experience abdominal pain and tiredness. If it accumulates to a significant amount it can cause death. diseases caused by aluminium leaching include: Abdominal Pain Alzheimers Anxiety Anemia Asthma Bone disease Memory loss Kidney Failure increased risk of infections etc A significant amount of aluminium has been found in the brain tissues of patients suffering from Alzheimer diseases which has come from food wrapped in aluminium foil or cooked in aluminium pots. Aluminium is highly reactive metal and it reacts with the food processed in aluminium utensils or wrapped in aluminium foil. When we wrap food in aluminium foil it leaches out and make it harmful for our health. The more and longer the food is heated the more aluminium will leach in to the food. It is more reactive to the acidic food. It is easily absorbed by the acidic food. So it is not recommended to make food in aluminium pots and wrap in aluminium foil. Also if you use a iron or stainless steel pan under the food then wrap foil over the top this will increase the rate at which aluminum leaches due to electrolytic action and again especially if the food is acidic. Wrapping cold food in aluminum foil is far less of a problem. But never wrap acidic food in aluminum foil. never wrap acidic foods like tomatoes in aluminum foil. Aluminum leaching in beverage cans is also a problem as most beverages are highly acidic, and the longer the beverage is if the can the more aluminum is leached. Also beware of aluminum in toothpastes. It is therefore safer to avoid aluminium foil and use alternative wrappings. Aluminum is also a finite resource that takes a lot of energy to produce and aluminum foil is going into the waste dumps where acids form and it is then leached into the water systems and rivers and the sea. You can try an experiment. Place some vinegar or lemon juice in a small stainless steel container. Add vinegar wrap top with aluminum foil so that the foil touches the vinegar in the middle. Leave overnight. And you will see the next day that the aluminum is being eaten away by the acid.