Foiling

I foil mine with HD foil and mine doesn't get holes in it. Are you using any vinegar based products? That might do it. After I smoke a picnic or shoulder I foil only long enough fro it to cool down a little, which takes a long time when foiled. Usually about an hour, then I pull and eat......

I'll pay more attention this weekend, as I am planning on smoking another butt.

BTW your wood carvings are magnificent!!! Very nice...what talent!!!

Can't help you with the Hawthorne though..

dan

Nope.. nothing acid added in the prep.

Thanks for the nice words on the woodcarvings.

Only time I've ever had this happen was on the thin and cheap foil.

Never had it happen on HD foil. I buy the big rolls and Sam's and never seen this.

Only other time I've heard it is cooking IN the foil.

S O.. You bring up a good point. I can't remember (old age, I have an excuse) if I foiled after smoking and put in the oven or simply foiled after the smoke. I'll have to try again.

Thanks,

Smokenque,

I always use a double layer of heavy duty foil and never had a leak, except when I try to pour out the liquid that forms in the bottom of the foil bed. Last time I foiled a pork butt, to my wife's chagrin, I spilled all the juice on the cabinet and floor. I still can't understand why she didn't offer to clean it up.

Actually, the question wasn't about leaks.. rather then erosion of the foil.. Kinda brings back a memory.. seems in the late 70's / early 80's there was concern that dissolved aluminum was a cause of Alzheimer's.. I don't know if that is still the thinking.. but the kitchen I worked around back then got rid of all their aluminum pots and pans in favor of stainless. I think this, as in my question, would only have been a problem when cooking ascetic products like tomatoes or other acetic materials like vinegar.. ???

Heck, I don't understant her reluctance to clean it up either.. Sounds like my SWMBO'd in my house too. Sheesh..

Smokenque, I have had that happen to foil as well. Once I had put a couple finsihed butts in one of those cheap disposible aluminum pans and into the fridge a couple days, when I took the butts out the pan bottom had several pitted spots, which made me wonder about the safety of holding food in them. I found this information on the Reynold's foil website - section 2 gives an explaination.

Why does aluminum foil sometimes melt and leave black specks on the food?
Occasionally when aluminum foil comes in contact with a different metal or a food that is highly salted or acidic, small pinholes are formed in the foil. This is a harmless reaction that does not affect the safety of the food. It is difficult to predict, but may occur under the following conditions:

1. When aluminum and a dissimilar metal are in contact in the presence of moisture, an electrolytic reaction may occur causing a breakdown of the aluminum. To avoid this use aluminum, glass, ceramic, plastic or paper containers. Do not cover sterling silver, silverplate, stainless steel or iron utensils with aluminum foil.

2. A similar reaction may occur when salt, vinegar, highly acidic foods or highly spiced foods come in contact with aluminum foil. The result of these reactions is a harmless aluminum salt. Some aluminum salts are used in medicines to treat stomach disorders. The food can be safely eaten; however, the aluminum salt particles can be removed from the food to improve the appearance of the food.

Reynold's FAQ