Does it make any difference shiny side up, shiny side down when it comes to cooking with aluminum foil?
I usually have the shiny side on the outside when I'm wrapping hot banana bread. I don't know why I do, I just do
With the shinny side up the heat is reflected away from the contents. With the Dull side out the heat is greater inside the pouch.
The shiny side is slightly better reflector of heat. Face that side of the foil in the appropriate direction. To keep things cold, put the shiny side on the outside -- that will reflect incoming heat. To keep things warm, face the shiny side inward toward the hot food -- to reflect the heat that is trying to escape back into the food. Note that people often bake potatoes with the shiny side out -- that is because it makes for a better (prettier) presentation. In reality, baking them that way reflects the incoming heat on the outside, slightly slowing the cooking process. Of course, in reality, which side of the foil faces where makes little difference. It does make for lively conversation, though.
The dull/shiny question was on the top of their list! Aren't you glad this answer is out in the open now?!
