Aluminum foils and microwaves

I have been wondering why pple keep telling me that aluminum foils cannot be use in microwaves. So i decided to find out.

I found an association called the European Aluminium foil Association, (dun laugh i'm serious!) and here's wat it says abt aluminum foils in microwave:

A prime benefit of aluminum foil containers is consumer convenience. Warming, cooking, baking, grilling or steaming can be done without complication using any of the domestic types of cooking equipment available. Independent research in the UK has confirmed the findings of several other test programmes conducted over several years.

These have demonstrated that, as long as simple guidelines are followed, shallow foil containers can be used safely and beneficially in microwave ovens.

Combination microwave/grill ovens are increasingly popular. It follows that the use of foil containers, which offer critical performance benefits in both methods of heating, will be increasingly seen as the natural packaging choice for foods requiring cooking or re-heating.

Making the best use of microwave ovens

Shallow containers can be used safely in a microwave oven, and better-cooked results can be obtained.

The microwave guidelines are: The aluminum foil must not touch other metal, such as a metal turntable, the oven sides, or another container.

Use containers singly, and place on an ceramic plate if the turntable is metal.

Microwave energy cannot pass through metal, therefore remove board lids lined with foil and, where appropriate, use a suitable cover such as microwave film or a plate.

Microwave energy only enters food from the top, so use shallow trays only, and ensure they are at least two thirds full.

Heat food for slightly longer than usual, and ensure that it is piping hot before serving. Thanks to the excellent heat conductivity of aluminum, many foods heat more evenly in foil containers, but where appropriate foods should be stirred as usual.

So, if you are careful, you can use aluminum foils in the microwave.

Another trivia on aluminum foils: the shiny and dull side - which is better?

Well, as someone who have studied physics, I've always thought that the shiny side is better. But apparently, the difference in the two sides is only due to the manufacturing process and actually, neither side is especially better than the other. However, since the shiny side is a better reflector of heat, it might still be a good idea to wrap food that you want to cook shiny side in. And if you want to refrigerate something, wrapping it with dull side in would be a better choice.

But there's one exception. Those who actually buy non-stick aluminum foils should always wrap their food dull side in. This is because the dull side happens to be the non-stick side. ^^