Aluminum foil is one of the go-to items in a lot of kitchens. It is such a versatile material and has so many applications that it is difficult to imagine a kitchen setup without it.
Can you put aluminum foil in a crockpot though? This article intends to answer that and more. The quick answer to that question is yes, you can put aluminum foil in a crockpot. There are various applications for aluminum foils as far as crockpots are concerned.
Why Would You Want to Use Aluminium Foil in a Crockpot?
There are a host of reasons why you would want to use aluminum foil in a crockpot. As already stated, it is very versatile and has multiple applications.
It prevents food from burning while you slow cook it in your crockpot. When you slow cook, the process is, well…slow.
It can take hours for food to cook and it’ not uncommon for food to burn because there is no one around especially if you are using an old school crock pot which is not automatic.
Wrapping your food in aluminum foil prevents it from burning in the event that moisture in the crock pot runs out. It is also a great way of locking in the flavor of food as it is not immersed in a water bath. It is great for separating foods when you are cooking different things in the same crockpot.
It is an excellent food raiser when you want to keep food off the bottom of the crock pot while cooking. Doing this allows food to cook more evenly as the water can circulate more freely within the crockpot.
Aluminum does not leach out chemicals under high temperatures as some man-made materials generally tend to do. It’s quite the opposite though under cold temperatures therefore, it is highly advised not to store food wrapped in aluminum foil in the refrigerator.
When you line your crock pot with aluminum foil, it makes it a whole lot easier to clean after you are done cooking. We might love cooking but I’m sure not many of us like the cleaning up part of it.
This makes life a whole lot easier. Food wrapped in aluminum foil also cooks much more evenly. This is especially the case with beef, chicken and other thick meat cuts.
Practical Applications of Aluminium Foil in a Crockpot
Because aluminum foil is such a versatile material, it also has multiple uses in a crockpot. In this section, we are going to look into some of these applications.
Aluminum Foil as a Crockpot Liner
When you line your crockpot with aluminum foil before cooking, you get a number of benefits. Firstly, it makes it a whole lot easier to clean your pot.
The foil protects the bottom part and your inner sides of the crockpot in the case where food burns or you are cooking a recipe with sticky sauces.
Secondly, it protects your food from excessive burning in the event that moisture in the pot runs out. If you are cooking foods like ziti which are traditionally baked, lining your crockpot with aluminum foil ensures that the edges are not burned while the inner parts are being cooked.
Aluminum Ball Raisers
You can crumple up aluminum foil into small balls that you use to line up the bottom of the crockpot and then place your food over them.
When you cook foods like fish or chicken, it prevents them from soaking in the liquid thereby making them soggy. It’s quite common for this to happen when cooking chicken as it tends to release fluid.
Food Separation
When you want to slow cook different meats at once and don’t want the flavors mixing, you can use aluminum foil to separate them. Simply wrap the different foods up in aluminum foil then place them in your crockpot and you are good to go.
Aluminum Foil Lid
A common occurrence with crockpots is that the lids either crack or shatter. This happens when there are sudden changes in temperature.
I’ve had situations where class cookware has shuttered because I exposed it to cold temperatures too quickly without giving it the time to cool down.
If this happens to you, it means that your crockpot no longer has a lid and it’s not always easy to replace it. If this is your situation, you can actually use aluminum foil as a lid. Simply cover the top and rim and make sure it is sealed and, voila!
When Not to Use Aluminium Foil in a Slow Cooker
Are there instances where you are not supposed to use aluminum foil in a slow cooker? The answer to that is yes. Though aluminum foil is generally safe to use in a crock pot, you will need to be aware of a few things.
Aluminum foil should never be used with acidic foods. As mentioned already in this post, you can generally cook almost anything in aluminum foil but acidic food is the exception.
It generally tends to erode the aluminum meaning that the chemicals in it can leach into the food.
Though this is something that you need to be mindful of, some studies have shown that the amounts of chemicals that are leached from the foil are not in amounts that can cause any harm,
it is generally a good practice to be safe rather than sorry as we won’t really know the long term impact of these trace amounts over time and what impact they may have on children for example.
Stay away from foods that include tomatoes, any citrus like lemons, vinegar, chili, and other acidic foods. Keep this in mind and you will generally be safe.
When can I use aluminum foil in the oven?
Aluminum foil can be used in the oven as a cooking accessory to provide a barrier between food and the oven wall, deflect heat away from food, and mold into pans. It is also great for anything grilled, baked, roasted, or smoked. For example, you can use aluminum foil as a barrier to prevent juices from spilling out of your meat while it grills. Or you could use aluminum foil as the top layer of your meatloaf so that it will brown without drying out.
Common Ways to Use Foil in the Oven
Aluminum foil works great in the oven for keeping food moist by keeping it in contact with the walls of the oven. Or you can use aluminum foil to make baked goods, such as breads or cakes, extra tender by wrapping them in foil. Ready-made foil wraps are made specifically for baking things in the oven, but you can also make your own by overlapping two layers of aluminum foil. Depending on what you are planning to do for example you can use it On the Bottom of the Oven Rack or wrap food around it.
Is It Safe to Use Aluminum Foil in the Oven?
Yes, aluminum foil is safe to use in the oven. It is non-toxic and does not release any harmful fumes when heated up. The only side effect of using aluminum foil in the oven is that it can retain some of your food’s smell or flavors. It is good to be careful when you are using aluminum foil in the oven because it helps with cooking faster and saves energy by reducing heat loss. It also prevents food from sticking onto the walls of the oven.
The Pros and Cons of Using Aluminum Foil
Pros
- As a heat shield, it can help prevent heat from escaping from the oven, which helps keep food warm.
- It has a non-stick surface, which helps you remove foods easily without having to scrub.
Cons
- Can retain the smells and flavors of your food.
How to correctly put aluminum foil in the oven?
Conclusion on Using Aluminum Foil in the Oven
Aluminum foil is a great way of getting some great results from your crock pot. It ensures food cooks evenly, does not burn, and is also a great way to keep your crockpot easy to clean. You can use it to cook just about anything but steer clear o acidic foods as these present a hazard.
Resources:
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/292106/is-cooking-with-aluminum-foil-bad-for-you/
https://www.woolworths.co.za/content/article/food-101/how-to-cook-with-tin-foil/_/A-cmp203959