Question

Why does aluminum foil not get hot in the oven?

Answer 1

Actually aluminum foil does get hot when it's in the oven but because it's an excellent thermal conductor and so thin the aluminum foil conducts and radiates all the heat away from the aluminum foil so rapidly that it cools off quickly.

And because it cools off so quickly it doesn't seem to get hot in the oven when in fact aluminum foil does get hot when in the oven.

Answer 2

Aluminum foil gets hot but the reason the aluminum foil is not hot to the touch is because the aluminum foil reflects the heat as it heats it up.

Aluminum foil is a good heat reflector and does not conduct heat too good.

Aluminum Foil also works great for holding heat in foods because it can trap heat inside of it.

If you wrap hotdogs or other food in aluminum foil it will stay hot for quite awhile.