On your grill you will frequently find yourself in need of covering food so it doesn’t burn, or to keep other foods from sticking. You could go purchase a packet of aluminum foil and a plastic wrap, but they both cost money and that money could be spent on something else.
Instead of investing in another box of the same thing, why not invest in a little bit of knowledge? This article will discuss the different ways you can use aluminum foil on your grill along with possible precautions to take when using it.
Which Foil Should You Use?
There are different types of foil to choose from. There is a shiny, heavy duty aluminum foil that is more durable and less likely to tear. On the other side of the spectrum, there is a lighter, thinner aluminum foil that is easier to use for wrapping food.
Although it may seem like the shiny type would be better and more durable, it actually isn’t stronger than the thinner kind and could potentially tear or rip. If you want something that will last longer without tearing or ripping, you should use the thicker aluminum foil.
When using aluminum foil on your grill, make sure you are using only clean utensils or tools to ensure that bacteria doesn’t spread throughout your food before it gets cooked properly. Also remember not to use metal utensils as they can burn holes in the foil and contaminate your food with metal particles.
Wrapping Food in Aluminum Foil
One of the most common ways to use aluminum foil on your grill is to cover food that you are cooking so it doesn’t burn. You want to make sure that the food stays moist and doesn’t stick to the grill while cooking.
If you feel like the food isn’t getting enough heat, you could also wrap it in aluminum foil before placing it on the grill. Another popular way to use aluminum foil on your grill is as a way to keep other foods from sticking.
For example, you could wrap up some meat in aluminum foil and then place it over potatoes for an easy lunch or dinner. This prevents other foods from sticking onto your meat and burning despite the hot temperatures of your grill.
Using Aluminum Foil to Cover Food
The most effective way to use aluminum foil is to wrap food in it. You can also use it to cover the grill so you don’t accidentally bump something and have it fall into the fire. You will want to make sure that you only use a small amount of aluminum foil on your grill, because too much can block the airflow or cause a fire hazard.
Wrapping the Grill in Aluminum Foil
You can easily wrap your grill in aluminum foil by folding the aluminum foil in a way that will allow you to cover the grates and sides of the grill. With this, you can avoid food from sticking to the grill. Aluminum foil also works well for cooking meat over indirect heat.
For example, you could use it to wrap your chicken breasts before cooking them in a crock pot on low heat. This will help with retaining juices and flavor, which is something you don’t want to lose. If your grill is too large to fit inside of aluminum foil, you can still wrap it around the top of the grill with a piece of plastic wrap.
This will protect food from falling onto the ground below if there happens to be an accident when opening or closing the lid.
When Can’t You Put Aluminum Foil on The Grill?
Aluminum foil must not be used on the grill when you are using a gas grill or an electric grill. It is often not safe to use on a charcoal grill as well.
This is because aluminum foil will block the air intake, which can cause the fire to go out more quickly than it should. Additionally, too much aluminum foil on your charcoal grill can create an unsafe situation and create excess smoke.
Aluminum foil cannot be used on a non-stick grill either. If your non-stick grill has any sort of coating, it may react unfavorably with the aluminum and make the surface of your food very sticky. Aluminum foil must also not be used if you are cooking steak or chicken as it may make them stick together when they have been seared on the outside.
Wrapping in Plastic Wrap
Traditionally, the most common wrapping material used on a grill is plastic wrap. You will commonly see it used to cover food that is cooking on a grill in order to prevent it from burning on the outside while cooking.
It can also be used as a makeshift lid when you need to make a quick meal out of leftovers. It can also be used to cover foods when they are being cooked or stored in the fridge, in order to create an airtight seal.
Conclusion
This is a great example of when you don’t put aluminum foil on your grill and when you should avoid it. You can use aluminum foil on your grill to wrap food or to cover the grill when not in use. But there are some instances when you should avoid aluminum foil.
