Dear Betty: Reader Question 5/31/2019 Grilling with Aluminum Foil

Hi Betty,

Grilling season is back and I have a question about aluminum foil.  I like to wrap vegetables or sliced up potatoes in foil and grill them that way.  I've heard that using aluminum foil on the grill is bad for you and I'm wondering what other options there are.

Thank you,

A

Dear A,

Thanks so much for the question and for reading the blog! 

Aluminum is one of the most plentiful metals on our planet and is naturally occurring in many foods that you already eat.  Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grain all contain some aluminum.  Aluminum is also present in some medications, especially antacids.  Consuming aluminum in this manner is considered relatively safe as very little is actually absorbed into your body and the rest is excreted through feces or urine.

When you take aluminum foil and grill it at that high temperature, it cracks and flakes on a molecular level.  The heat and breakdown of the material allow the metal to leach into your food, even more so when you have spicy or acidic food such as lemons.  Some studies suggest this amount of aluminum is higher than what is safe and it is more than what the World Health Organization feels is acceptable.

So is it safe to use aluminum foil on the grill?  My answer is that I'm not sure either way.

I did look into alternatives for aluminum foil but most are not great.  You can use copper grilling sheets or a silicone mat but I can't say if that would be any healthier for you than aluminum foil and you can't wrap up your veggies or potatoes with either of those items.  I also found wood grilling planks that keep your food from sticking and purportedly add flavor which would work great for salmon or the like but again, you certainly can't wrap food in the way you would like to.

There are also options of the stainless steel variety such as grilling baskets for vegetables and you can cover with a dome to help steam them.  You can use stainless steel or cast iron cookware on the grill as long as it is rated for that high of a temperature.  I don't know that there is anything that is going to be as easy as aluminum foil but at least with stainless steel or cast iron you know it is a safer option and it is reusable too.

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion?

I'd love to hear from you!

Email me at Mrs.Stebber@gmail.com or comment on the blog