Forms from foil for baking: features, varieties and rules of operation

Among the variety of heat-resistant cookware, foil forms take a special place. Currently, their popularity has declined slightly. But they are forgotten completely in vain. There are many dishes that will taste perfect in the form of foil. A large number of useful characteristics speaks in their defense. Such an acquisition will be profitable and will definitely come in handy in the culinary business.

It is not for nothing that such forms are made of aluminum. Thanks to this, they have a lot of positive features.

• Convenience and practicality. They speed up the cooking time of products, save energy on washing, if the model is disposable.
• Multifunctionality. Due to their good heat resistance, they can not only bake, but also freeze and store food.
• Uniform heat distribution. The food will not burn around the edges and will not stay soggy on the inside.
• Attractive appearance. The forms are pleasant to use, they can serve cooked dishes on the table. Such dishes help to maintain the right temperature.
• Compliance with safety standards for humans, no toxic substances.
• Environmental friendliness. Biodegradable material will not harm nature when disposed of.

Compared to other forms (ceramic, glass, steel or cast iron), foil is lighter and easier to store. Of course, they are inferior in strength and can wrinkle. But on the other hand, they will not break when dropped, like glass, there will be no chips on them. Aluminum foil molds are more stable and retain their shape better than silicone or paper molds. An additional plus is the low cost with good quality.Most people can afford these baking dishes.

Foil products are safe for food contact. Of course, if this does not apply to an acidic environment. In this case, the contact should be minimal in time. Even with frequent use, the ingress of aluminum into food and, accordingly, into the human body is negligible and cannot cause significant harm. What's more, the foil baking dish will help you to maintain a healthier diet as it does not require oiling.

Since there are quite a few varieties of metal forms, it should be clearly understood what constitutes a foil product. Roughly speaking, they can only be understood as those types of aluminum baking dishes that were made from a sheet (by pressing). Cast aluminum cookware is a completely different look and will have different properties.

Products can vary in thickness. Thicker sides and bottom allow for reusability. But even reusable forms should be treated with care. In addition, shapes can vary in size, capacity and collar height. Small tins are used for preparing portioned dishes.

Usually, when buying, they pay more attention to appearance. The most common are:

• square or rectangular;
• round or oval;
• curly (in the form of a flower, heart, and so on).

The most popular are single options, but there are also double ones, as well as those consisting of several compartments. The bottom can be smooth or embossed. A ribbed bottom in the form of a certain pattern can be a decoration for a dish, especially when it comes to confectionery. The same goes for the bumpers.

Pay attention to the edges of the forms:

• L-shaped edge usually comes in models with lids;
• The G-shaped edge is more suitable for baking and can be covered with a suitable sheet of plain foil.

A distinction should be made between baking dishes and casseroles - a kind of disposable storage containers that help preserve the freshness of food. Food can be reheated in them.

Foil forms can be safely used for:

• baking bakery products;
• baking meat, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruits in the oven;
• for the preparation of cold snacks and desserts;
• storage of cooked meals;
• transportation of any suitable sized products;
• freezing and reheating.

To avoid disappointment when using aluminum foil molds, there are a few rules to keep in mind.

• Before the first use, despite the opinion that the foil has antibacterial properties, it is better to wash the product. This requires a soft sponge and common detergent - abrasives and hard brushes are prohibited. Before re-washing, it is better to soak a dirty reusable container in warm water, then wash and dry with a towel.
• There is no need to lubricate the mold. But it is imperative to make sure that the temperature is optimal and the dish does not burn.
• To bake the meat more evenly, it is better to close the mold with a lid or foil. 10-15 minutes before cooking, the lid is removed and the dish is allowed to brown. The foil will help if the top usually burns. The hermetically sealed baking dish will keep grease out of the oven.
• Do not overheat empty dishes. Before you start cooking, you only need to preheat the oven. Direct contact with fire can cause burnout.
• Removing food from the mold is quite simple.To do this, you can use spatulas, turn the container over or cut the sides.

Buying aluminum foil molds is usually not a hassle. They can be purchased at any specialty store, as well as at some grocery stores. However, if necessary, a similar shape can be easily made with your own hands, using ordinary foil for this. It bends and wrinkles easily, but does not tear. Of course, thicker foil is better for molds., but this information is not always indicated on the packaging, so any will do.

The easiest option is to take dishes that are suitable in size and shape as a base. In this case, you need to act in a certain way.

• Sheets are superimposed on the outside or inside of the selected container. This must be done so that the center of the bottom and sheets approximately coincide, and the same distance remains on the sides.
• Then we start forming the bottom. The stability of the structure depends on how clear the folds are.
• After the bottom, we proceed to pressing the sheets on the sides. As soon as this is done, the formed sides must be cut off, and the sharp edges must be bent.

We do it even easier with small molds. To do this, you need to take two identical glasses without handles. Turn one of them over, put a sheet of foil on top (on the bottom from the outside) and put on the second glass. Next, you just need to arrange the edges.

Foil baking containers can be formed without a solid container - just by hand. For convenience, some molds are made with handles. In this case, the bottom does not have to be smooth - with the help of improvised means, suitable impressions can be made on it.

For information on how to make a baking tin from foil, see below.