Image for article titled The Difference Between Aluminum and Tin FoilPhoto: Happy Stock Photo (Shutterstock)

We recently got over. posted the many ways that aluminum foil is helpful around the house and quickly realized that the mention of “stone foil” was scientifically incorrect (and I’m always ready to admit my mistakes). Depending on where you’re from, it may be a natural reflex to say “aluminum foil” while wrapping leftovers or grilling – aluminum foil is a bite and you may not notice a difference. But there is a difference between aluminum foil and aluminum foil.

What happened to aluminum foil?

In front 1926, Americans used real tin foil. The sheet metal was made for industrial use and was popular in the early years 1900s as packaging material and insulation, and earlier Line packs of cigarettes. However, the foil is less durable and more expensive than its aluminum counterpart, and it’s rare to find any type of tin foil these days. When the cheaper aluminum alternative came on the market, aluminum foil was no longer usable.

When did aluminum foil take power?

The roll of film in your kitchen consists of around 99 percent aluminum alloy that looks matt on one side and shiny silver on the other. Basically in 1910 a Swiss inventor a continuous rolling process for aluminumthat changed the film industry. In 1926, Americans started using Aluminum foil for packaging material in the USA, and then it became an industry standard.

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Even so, the new foil didn’t become a household item until a Reynolds employee got into a dilemma on Thanksgiving that couldn’t hold the turkey. He thought quickly to his feet, grabbed some aluminum foil that he had lying around, it worked wonders, and the rest is history.

Can you tell the difference between aluminum and aluminum foil?

It’s pretty hard to tell them apart because aluminum foil is no longer widely used. Their looks are similar enough that most people wouldn’t know unless they physically used both for comparison. In general, however Aluminum foil is “Less stable and stiffer compared to aluminum and can also leave a bitter taste in food.”

Real tin foil is used more for things like electrical capacitors these days than for food preparation or storage. It can still be used for packaging materials and the like, but since it’s not the popular or inexpensive choice, it’s rare that you can find real aluminum foil at your local grocery store. Most of the time, it’s okay to assume that the foil covering your roasted vegetables is made of aluminum.