Aluminum foil / Aluminum tray liners health question

[DJDDay]

Warning: total rambling and soapbox speech incoming...

I don't have an issue using aluminum foil (or the aluminum trays from Traeger) to cover my drip pan because I'm not consuming any of that, and none of it comes into contact with my food.

The atmosphere inside of the grill isn't disturbed or refreshed enough to stop you from smoking your meat, so if aluminum particles were actually aerosolized, it would be all over (and absorbed) into your food as well. But that's not what the health studies have learned - all data seems to suggest that aluminum is leached from direct contact with the food (especially when acidic things are present, like lemon juice or spices, etc) is the issue.

On an aside, It's sad to see people say "well I've been doing this for (40 years, etc) and I'm fine so the risk isn't real". I mean, that's just insane to me. There is no debate - we have the data that shows the effects of aluminum leaching into food and the negative impact on human health. The fact is, we choose to take the risk, we choose to put these things into our body (out of convenience or otherwise), and we must live with the consequences - even though we are mostly being ignorant about it.

But hey, we're all pellet smoker owners here who smoke our meats (both of which, alone and together, are very well known to increase chances of heart disease and many other health ailments). I mean, are we really debating the merits of using aluminum foil to line our drip trays? Pretty sure most of us wouldn't care about that. But I really try *NOT* to cook on aluminum foil directly when I can help it.

 

[Traegernator]

Warning: total rambling and soapbox speech incoming...

I don't have an issue using aluminum foil (or the aluminum trays from Traeger) to cover my drip pan because I'm not consuming any of that, and none of it comes into contact with my food.

The atmosphere inside of the grill isn't disturbed or refreshed enough to stop you from smoking your meat, so if aluminum particles were actually aerosolized, it would be all over (and absorbed) into your food as well. But that's not what the health studies have learned - all data seems to suggest that aluminum is leached from direct contact with the food (especially when acidic things are present, like lemon juice or spices, etc) is the issue.

On an aside, It's sad to see people say "well I've been doing this for (40 years, etc) and I'm fine so the risk isn't real". I mean, that's just insane to me. There is no debate - we have the data that shows the effects of aluminum leaching into food and the negative impact on human health. The fact is, we choose to take the risk, we choose to put these things into our body (out of convenience or otherwise), and we must live with the consequences - even though we are mostly being ignorant about it.

But hey, we're all pellet smoker owners here who smoke our meats (both of which, alone and together, are very well known to increase chances of heart disease and many other health ailments). I mean, are we really debating the merits of using aluminum foil to line our drip trays? Pretty sure most of us wouldn't care about that. But I really try *NOT* to cook on aluminum foil directly when I can help it.

Well said, @DJDDay. I would just point out that the aluminum drip tray liner is constantly being attacked by acidic marinades, salts, fats, and foodstuffs dripping all over it at elevated temperatures. This is what causes the aluminum to experience a change of its oxide layer from an amorphous to a crystalline structure. Plus, we aren't talking single use here; these liners are reused again and again under the same conditions. It would be interesting to conduct a test of micronized (microscopic) aluminum particles circulating around the inside cavity of these smokey ovens. If the flaked/micronized aluminum is airborne, I'm betting it's clinging real good to the food, too.

 

[miguelb]

Definitely interesting and has been something that I kept in mind whenever I work with aluminum. I never put the effort to learn more about it but do my best to minimize the use.

Thank you for bringing this information. Appreciate it.

 

[ekb]

Thank you, everyone, for bringing this subject up. It has been something I've pondered for some time, both with our grills and a regular oven. After learning about the health risks of using aluminum foil or lids, I switched to stainless steel trays as pan covers in the oven. Since I do not have any answers as to whether the aluminum from the liner trays ends up in our food, we have stopped using them altogether and will see how that goes. If the drippings don't burn off adequately before the next usage, I will get a stainless steel tray to use. I am also aware of smoked food being unhealthy. We are brand new to using a Traeger, purchased it thinking it was healthier than using a propane gas grill. I couldn't find any information on whether that's true or not. We are attempting to use the least amount of smoke while cooking certain meats. The Traeger does seem to smoke less than our gas grill, which would flame up with every drip & require constant care.

 

[KraZ440]

I find it rather amusing that some people buy pellet grills because they add more smoke flavor over propane, while others buy them because they smoke less than propane.

 

[JPSBBQ]

I find it rather amusing that some people buy pellet grills because they add more smoke flavor over propane, while others buy them because they smoke less than propane.

Well, I don't think anything smokes less than a gas grill, but point taken.
Some people want their food to taste like you served it in an ash try or campfire and others want a kiss or less of smoke. certain pellets smoke more than others and the higher the temp of the pit, the less smoke you get due to more thorough combustion. Lots of diversity.

 

[FlyersFan76]

Ill take my chances with the deodorant..

Deodorant is not the issue. It is the antiperspirant.