7 Surprising Facts About Aluminium Foil You Didn’t Know

Must Know Facts about Aluminum Foil

We use this thin sheet of metal in our everyday lives, from wrapping food to cooking and keeping our food fresh. However, there are countless interesting things we never knew about this kitchen tool.

How did it become so popular? Is it only used to wrap food? How does it contribute to science? Here are some surprising facts about aluminium foil, that you probably didn’t know, that will answer these questions:

The Tobler Story

If it weren’t for those triangular chocolate bars we call Toblerone, the aluminium foil wouldn’t be as widely used as it is today! The Swiss Chocolate maker, Tobler, made aluminium foil popular when he started using it to wrap his chocolate bars in them.

Toblerone, their iconic triangular chocolate bar, was wrapped in aluminium foil which helped to keep the chocolate fresh and protected from light and air.

People started realizing its efficient use in the food industry, and in 1913 the United States started producing aluminium foil. From then on, it started growing in the commercial world exponentially. 

Switch from Tin Foil to Aluminium Foil

Tin foil was used long before aluminium. It is a rarer material than aluminium and it leaves a stronger taste in food.

Nearly all tin was being imported in the United States in the 1940s, so Aluminium provided an easier alternative. It is abundant in production, it doesn’t leave any taste on food, and it is as soft as tin.

Aluminium Doesn’t Rust

Rust is a type of corrosion that occurs when the metal comes into contact with oxygen and water. The reason aluminium is suited for food packaging is that it does not rust at all when it comes into contact with water or any liquids. 

Scientists Use It to Analyze Sun Conditions

Researchers and physicists use aluminium foil to explore the conditions inside stars and giant planets.

In laboratories, scientists use powerful lasers and project them onto aluminium foil, essentially recreating conditions that are only found in the centre of the sun! In this way, we can see how a small tool in our kitchen is also crucially being used in advancing science. 

It Can Help in Gardening

Aluminium is very efficient in reflecting sunlight. Hence, you can use it to line cardboard boxes and make sun boxes for plant sapling. The light will bounce off the aluminium foil and will reflect onto all parts of the plant making it healthy and full, instead of frail and weak. You can even use it beyond seed care. Many people use pieces of foil to keep pests and rodents away from their plants.

If you are growing fruits in your garden, you can hang them on the trees to scare away birds that may eat the fruit. You can even tear pieces of foil and mix it with the mulch around the base of plants, to avoid the look of silver patches in your garden.

Used in Science Experiments

Foil can also be used to make a fun science experiment in your own home. Using materials that are easily available in your house, you can make a simple oven that is powered by the sun. You can help children learn science while having some fun with it! It’s made with the help of some cardboard, plastic wrap, aluminium foil and other smaller materials. 

The way it works is, the foil reflects rays of sunlight directly onto the opening of the box. It goes through the plastic wrap and it heats up the air that is trapped inside. You can make simple food like baked potatoes, rice and vegetables, chocolate and cheese fondue to name a few.

Aluminium Foil is Indispensable in Daily Life

This thin sheet of metal is used in the food industry, packaging industry, and pharmaceutical industry. Around 7 billion aluminium foil containers are produced each year. From wrapping our food to medicine packets, it holds a significant role in our lives and we don’t realize it!

Additional Useful Facts About Aluminium Foil

• Aluminium foil is made from a single material, aluminum, which is extracted from bauxite ore.
• Aluminium foil is 100% recyclable and can be recycled up to 7 times without losing quality.
• Aluminium foil is widely used in packaging, insulation, and transportation industries.
• Aluminium foil is also used to make household items such as cooking pans and containers.
• Aluminium foil can be used to sharpen scissors by cutting through the foil several times.
• Aluminium foil can be used to protect plants from frost by wrapping the foil around the plants.
• Aluminium foil is a good conductor of heat and electricity. It is often used in the construction of electrical equipment.
• Aluminium foil can be used to make a DIY solar cooker, by using it to reflect the sun’s rays onto a cooking pot. This is a great way to cook food in an emergency or off-grid situation.
• Aluminium foil can be used to make a makeshift funnel, by shaping it into a cone. This can be useful in a variety of situations where you need to transfer liquids or small objects.
• Aluminium foil can be used to clean and polish silverware and other metal objects. Simply crumple a piece of foil and use it to scrub the metal, the aluminum in the foil reacts with the tarnish to remove it easily.
• Aluminium foil can be used to remove static from clothes. By adding a sheet of foil to the dryer with your clothes, it will act as a natural fabric softener and remove any static charge.
• Aluminium foil can be used to protect your car’s windshield from frost. Placing a sheet of foil over the windshield at night will keep frost from forming, making it easier to scrape in the morning.
• Aluminium foil can be used to make a DIY deodorant by mixing it with baking soda and coconut oil. This provides a natural and inexpensive alternative to store-bought deodorants.
• Aluminium foil can be used to make a DIY bug repellent by mixing it with essential oils. The foil helps to diffuse the oils and create a barrier against bugs.
• Aluminium foil has antimicrobial properties that can help to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. This makes it a great option for packaging and storing food items.

You probably won’t be able to look at foil the same way again after reading these facts. The same thing you use in your kitchen is also used in science labs!