Our curious hosts Nadia and Tali discuss some common and a few unheard of uses for tin foil, a mundane item with a million uses we take for granted.


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Nadia: Does crinkled aluminum foil work in baking? Tali: Can you cook a grilled cheese sandwich wrapped in foil only with an iron? Nadia: We will tell you what works for us. Tali: And what gets foiled! Nadia: Here we go again. Tali: It's Try This at Home. Foil was first created in the late 1800's and originally made of tin. Nadia: But aluminum foil was created in 1910 in Switzerland. Tali: The stuff is so useful that no one can imagine not having it around to cover up some food. Nadia: Cook a bake potato. Tali: Or to keep aliens from taking control of our brains. Nadia: While we are waiting on the mother ship, let's test some tips. The current world record for the worlds largest foil ball is 1,615 pounds. When I make potatoes I like to bake them in the oven instead of frying them on the stove. What I do is put them on a cookie sheet on aluminum foil, but the thing is they end to stick. And so what I heard was that if you put aluminum foil on the cookie sheet and crinkle it instead of laying it flat, that it will aid in baking and keep the potatoes from sticking. So what I have done is I have covered my cookie sheet, with a flat side and a crinkly side. And we are going to see which one works best. Wow! it worked, the crinkle side didn't stick as much, and they are very well cooked. and the flat side is over cooked and they definitely stuck, so I will be doing this again in the future. Tali: I love painting, but it just always gets so messy and you end up having to throw everything away. Well next time you paint try wrapping your tray in aluminum foil. Then when your done just pour out the excess paint, let what's left dry, then you just peel off the foil, throw it away and now you can use the tray a second time. Nadia: Here is a cool tip that we are going to test out next, when you go to a hotel bring along a cheese sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil. Tali: Be sure to put butter on the outside of the bread to make it extra tasty. Nadia: Put it on the ironing board and put your iron on the highest setting, dry no steam. Tali: Then you are supposed to put the iron right down on the aluminum foil for approximately 30 seconds on either side. Nadia: They say it is supposed to be really good, so we will see. Tali: Let's try it out. Nadia: Go ahead. Tali: Alright so it's been about a minute. Nadia: I think it's ready, I can smell it, it smells good. Tali: Do you think it's going to work? Nadia: I hope so. Tali: Whew, that looks really good. Nadia: Really because I am disappointed, like it should be much toastier. Tali: It's melted. Nadia: Yeah that's right, and it does seem to be done on one side, but it's kind of soggy. Tali: Well, let's not waste any food. Nadia: Yeah, let's try it. Tali: Alright. Nadia: Well, I am sorry I am not giving up my skillet; it's just not good enough. Tali: I might try it again, If I am at a hotel and don't have anything else to eat. Nadia: Well I think we both agree if you're going to try this at home you should definitely cook it for longer than 30 seconds on both sides. Tali: This stuff is like duct tape. Nadia: Only shinier and less sticky. Tali: I wonder if you could use a small foil ball to clean a dirty pot or pan? Nadia: Well we are out of time, but maybe someone out there can try it and let us know. Tali: Thanks for dropping by. Nadia: And when you can, try this at home.