Finally, one of your most pressing questions will be answered. Many people have wondered which side of the aluminum foil will keep everything from reheated pizza slices to baked fish from sticking, and if they've been doing it wrong all along. Concerned cooks can breathe a sigh of relief. As it turns out, there’s no “correct” side of aluminum foil to use when cooking. Placing food on either side is not one of those cooking mistakes that will ruin your food. Now you’re probably wondering why there’s a shiny and a dull side. The reason there are two different sides is due to a manufacturing process called milling, during which heat and tension is applied to stretch and shape the foil. Two layers of foil are pressed together and milled at the same time, because otherwise it would break. Where the foil is in contact with another layer is the dull side. The shiny side is the side milled without being in contact with another sheet of metal. The performance of the foil is the same, whichever side you use. When it comes to using non-stick foil, there is a difference between the two sides. Since the non-stick coating is only applied to the dull side, you’ll want to use that one. In case you’re not familiar, not all foil is non-stick. Non-stick foil has a label that specifies that it’s non-stick. In addition, most brands of non-stick foil print the words “NON-STICK SIDE” directly onto the treated surface.
