Wide aluminum foil — from 24 inches to 60 inches — plays an essential role in commercial cooking, insulation, and packaging.
Brands like Reynolds Wrap and custom industrial suppliers offer heavy-duty options for different needs.
36 Inch Wide Aluminum Foil
Wide aluminum foil is designed for industrial and large-scale kitchen applications where standard 12-inch or 18-inch foil is not wide enough.
The 36-inch aluminum foil offers maximum coverage for wrapping, insulation, and packaging large items.
Key Features of 36-Inch Wide Foil:
- Ideal for commercial food packaging and insulation work.
- Covers large trays or industrial ovens easily.
- Available in heavy-duty and standard thickness (12–20 microns).
- Made from high-purity aluminum (99.5% or more).
| Width | Thickness (μm) | Length | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 inch (914 mm) | 12–20 | 50–150 m | Catering, industrial wrapping |
| 24 inch (610 mm) | 10–18 | 75–200 m | Food service, large ovens |
| 18 inch (457 mm) | 10–15 | 100–200 m | Household baking, grilling |
24 Inch Wide Aluminum Foil
The 24-inch wide aluminum foil is the most common size for restaurant kitchens and bakeries.
It provides balanced width — wide enough for commercial use, yet manageable for small kitchens.
Advantages:
- Easy to handle and store.
- Compatible with most foil dispensers.
- Ideal for covering trays, wrapping sandwiches, and lining ovens.
- Comes in standard (12μm) and heavy-duty (18μm) variants.
| Type | Width | Grade | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 24 inch | 8011-O | Wrapping and baking |
| Heavy Duty | 24 inch | 3003-H24 | BBQ, roasting, insulation |
Extra Wide Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
When standard foil is not enough, extra wide heavy-duty aluminum foil is the solution.
It’s engineered for tough environments, where heat, grease, and tearing resistance are important.
Key Applications:
- Large catering trays
- Food transport covers
- Grill and smoker liners
- Industrial insulation and HVAC systems
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Width Options | 24″, 30″, 36″ |
| Thickness | 18–25 µm |
| Alloy | 8011, 3003 |
| Tensile Strength | 90–130 MPa |
| Temperature Resistance | Up to 660°C |
Benefits:
- Stronger and thicker than household foil
- Withstands multiple heating cycles
- Ideal for heavy commercial and mechanical applications
What Is the Widest Aluminum Foil?
The widest aluminum foil available in commercial markets is typically up to 48 inches (1220 mm).
Industrial foil rolls may even reach 60 inches (1524 mm) for insulation, cable wrapping, and packaging use.
| Category | Max Width | Common Alloy | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household foil | 18 inch | 8011-O | Kitchen baking |
| Catering foil | 24–36 inch | 8011/3003 | Food service |
| Industrial foil | 48–60 inch | 1100/3003/5052 | HVAC, insulation |
Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil
Reynolds Wrap is one of the most recognized aluminum foil brands worldwide.
Their foils are known for strength, flexibility, and food safety.
Available Options:
- Reynolds Standard Aluminum Foil (12” wide, 75 ft roll)
- Reynolds Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil (18” wide, 50–150 ft roll)
- Reynolds Extra-Wide Aluminum Foil (24” wide, commercial use)
Benefits:
- Easy to cut and mold
- Safe for food contact
- Designed to resist tearing
| Product Type | Width | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Reynolds Standard | 12 inch | Household cooking |
| Reynolds Heavy Duty | 18 inch | Oven and grill use |
| Reynolds Extra-Wide | 24 inch | Restaurant and catering |
Reynolds Aluminum Foil Heavy Duty
The Heavy Duty version of Reynolds foil is built for tougher cooking tasks.
It’s twice as thick as standard foil and perfect for grilling, roasting, and high-heat baking.
Characteristics:
- Thickness: 18–20 microns
- Alloy: 3003-H24
- Temperature tolerance: Up to 650°C
- Safe for both gas and electric ovens
Common Uses:
- Lining BBQ grills
- Wrapping ribs, vegetables, or fish
- Preventing drips in ovens
- Industrial wrapping for insulation materials
What Width Does Aluminum Foil Come In?
Aluminum foil rolls come in various widths, depending on usage:
| Category | Width Range (inch) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Household | 12–18 | Everyday kitchen use |
| Commercial | 18–36 | Restaurants, catering |
| Industrial | 36–60 | Insulation, packaging |
| Custom Orders | Up to 72 | Special manufacturing |
If you need custom width aluminum foil rolls, many suppliers can cut rolls according to your machine or packaging specifications.
Why Should You Wrap Your Doorknob in Aluminum Foil at Night?
You may have seen videos suggesting wrapping your doorknob in aluminum foil at night — this has a few non-scientific and practical reasons:
- Prevents paint stains during home renovation.
- Some believe it blocks static electricity (not scientifically proven).
- Can act as a temporary signal for homeowners (e.g., if tampered with).
Note: This practice does not provide real security or energy benefits.
Why Do People Put a Ball of Aluminum Foil in the Dishwasher?
Placing a ball of aluminum foil in your dishwasher is a popular cleaning hack.
The aluminum reacts mildly with detergent and helps remove tarnish from silverware.
How it works:
- Place a crumpled foil ball in the cutlery basket.
- Run a normal dishwasher cycle.
- Silver items come out shinier.
Only use this with stainless steel interiors. Avoid mixing foil with metal racks to prevent corrosion.
Why Was Tin Foil Discontinued?
Before aluminum foil, people used tin foil for wrapping food.
However, tin foil had several problems:
| Property | Tin Foil | Aluminum Foil |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Left metallic flavor | Neutral |
| Strength | Brittle | Flexible |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Corrosion Resistance | Low | High |
| Cost | Expensive | Affordable |
Aluminum quickly replaced tin due to its lightweight, non-toxic, and cheaper nature.
Today, “tin foil” is just a common name — all modern foils are aluminum.
Applications of Wide Aluminum Foil
Wide aluminum foil serves various industries:
- Food industry – packaging trays, large pan covers, catering sheets
- HVAC systems – insulation and duct wrapping
- Pharmaceutical packaging – sterile material wrapping
- Automotive and electronics – heat shielding and cable insulation
| Industry | Use Case | Foil Type |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service | Trays, lining, wrapping | 24–36 inch foil |
| Construction | Insulation layer | 36–48 inch foil |
| Medical | Packaging and sterilization | 24 inch foil |
| Electrical | Cable shielding | 48–60 inch foil |
