The Aluminum Foil Trick To Keep Food Warm On The Go
Keeping your food warm while you are on the go can be quite a challenge, but it isn't impossible. There are some easy ways to make sure your hot food stays warm as you get it from point A to point B, this way, you can enjoy your food when you get where you're going. Of course, you should always start by storing your food properly in whatever container you choose, but if you think that won't be enough to keep your food warm for as long as you need, you can try some other options.
First, there's the option of a cooler, which implies that you will keep your food "cold," but guess what? You can add a hot water bottle or hot bricks (yes bricks) to the cooler and pack your food in it to keep it warm (per My Backyard Life). This is similar to how you would use ice to keep food and drinks cold in the cooler. If you don't have a cooler, though, or if you want something smaller, you can try a basic aluminum foil trick to keep your food warm.
Use towels and aluminum foil
Hunting Waterfalls says that if you immediately wrap your food in aluminum foil and then wrap a few towels around it, you can keep your food warm. The idea is to keep heat as close to the food as possible and using aluminum foil essentially traps the heat and steam, then the towels add an extra layer of insulation to protect the food. In fact, the towels may work better than the cooler, alone, because they are right next to the dish, so they put the heat right on the food.
Of course, you can then place the aluminum-wrapped food in the cooler with the towels, too, but you don't have to. If you aren't going far, just the aluminum foil and the towels will work fine. If it will be a while before you eat the food, however, placing it in the cooler can help keep the food warmer for longer.
Using aluminum foil properly
According to Anytime Chefs, aluminum foil is a better option than using a plastic container for your food because plastic can actually break down in too much heat, and it doesn't trap the heat. If you are going to use the aluminum foil and towel warming method, you should place your food in a glass or ceramic container, which will help keep the food warmer than a plastic dish would be able to manage.
Culinary Lore suggests placing the shiny side of the aluminum foil toward the food, and the dull side should face up. This is because the shiny side is more reflective, so it will reflect more heat toward the food if you place it this way, helping to keep your food warm. Also make sure that the foil is not in contact with the food, allowing space for the heat to circulate within the dish so that it keeps the whole thing warm.