Why Aluminum Foil Sometimes Melts on Lasagna

Health Points

Making homemade lasagna is usually a joy, but sometimes baking with aluminum foil can lead to unexpected, even shocking, results.

One home cook discovered her foil had melted into the lasagna, which left the meal inedible and full of surprises.

• When aluminum foil is used on metal pans with acidic foods like tomato sauce, a chemical reaction can occur, causing the foil to deteriorate.
• This process is known as galvanic corrosion, where two different metals and an electrolyte (like salty, acidic sauce) create a tiny battery—sometimes dubbed a ‘lasagna battery.’
• The reaction can puncture holes in the foil, make it melt into food, and even leave a metallic taste behind.

Chemistry in the kitchen can be fascinating, but for best results, bake lasagna in a glass or ceramic pan to stay safe and savor your meal.

Read more about lasagna batteries