Why doesn't aluminum foil burn?

Probably because it is a metal that has a melting point over 1200 degrees F. which is a much hotter temperature than most campfires or backpacking stoves ever get. Some try burning foil trash hoping to make it disappear yet you would need a sustained temperature of over 4400° F. to reach the boiling point or vaporization of aluminum. That is much hotter than even the biggest and hottest bonfires.

What actually happens when trying to burn aluminum or tin foil packaging is that the waxy paper or plastic coating on top of the foil burns away leaving you charred aluminum foil fragments. These burnt aluminum or tin foil pieces are messy to handle, are hard to dig out of fire ashes and are definitely not biodegradable because foil has excellent corrosion resistance. So please be careful cooking outdoors with aluminum foil and make sure to pack out your foil trash. At home you can sometimes repackage your food into non-foil packaging before hitting the trail to reduce your burden.

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Backpacking & Hiking Skills

• Bear Safety
• Leave No Trace
• Map & Compass Usage
• Wilderness Survival