Lou McLeod: 11 Uncommon Uses For Aluminum Foil

Monday, 31 July 2017

11 Uncommon Uses For Aluminum Foil

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In a crisis, you make the most out of everything you have. This means that you might need to get a little creative. Now things like paracord and duct tape have some fairly obvious “other than intended” uses… but other items may require a little more critical thinking….But the more you know now, the better off you’ll be in the future. Today let’s take a look at one of the most common items you have in your kitchen, Aluminium foil: (Contrary to popular belief…we don’t keep tinfoil around to make cute hats…)

Aluminum Foil For Survival?

It’s not just for keeping leftovers covered! When it comes to multi-purpose survival tools… this common kitchen item has no equal.

In this article, I’ll go over just a few of its many uses such as:

Boiling water
Signaling For Help
Make Fishing Lures
Water Bottle Repair
Sharpening Scissors
How To Fix Loose Batteries
Keeping Your Matches Dry
Scrubbing Your Pots And Pans
Blocking The Wind Around Your Fire
Collecting Rainwater
Removing Rust

Let’s get started!

1. Boiling Water

Boiling Water | Aluminum Foil Survival Uses You Should Know About
In any survival situation, it is important to stay hydrated. However, water acquired from any “untrusted” source needs to be made safe for consumption. Boiling water is the best way to purify the water and kill all germs and parasites it may contain.

No pots or pans? No problem! That aluminum foil can be folded to create a makeshift bowl!

Bring your water to a rolling boil and keep it at a rolling boil for a minimum of one minute. This will make your water safe to drink.

2. Signal For Help

Since aluminum foil is reflective, it is great for signaling purposes! Place along on branches and/or any other areas where it will be well seen from the air and/or a road close by.

You can also use aluminum foil to make a makeshift mirror which is great for signaling for help as well.

3. Make Fishing Lures

Fish love shiny lures! If you do not have bait, wrap aluminum foil around the hook, which will act as bait.

4. Water Bottle Repair

Pine sap and aluminum foil will act as a temporary patching solution for cracks in water bottles or small piercings in hydration packs. It will not hold up to a lot of water pressure but, will help with drips and small seeps temporarily.

5. Sharpen Dull Scissors

I keep a multi-tool on me at all times. The scissors are my most used tool so, they can dull up from time to time. To sharpen scissors using aluminum foil, fold the foil over two or three times and cut the foil with your scissors. This will help sharpen the scissor blades.

6. Fix Loose Batteries

If batteries become loose, the most common reason is that the springs inside of the battery compartment have lost some of their tension over time. Loose batteries can cause glitching. To remedy this problem with aluminum foil, fold a small piece just big enough to fill in the gap and you’re good to go.

7. Keep Your Matches Dry

Wrapping your matches with aluminum foil will keep them dry as long as you don’t go underwater!

8. Scrub Dirty Pots And Pans

Do you have dirty pots and pans but forgot to pack the scrub pads? Not to worry. Crumble up a piece of aluminum foil and scrub your dirty pots and pans and rinse.

Remember, it is important to keep the smell of food away from your shelter area and/or campsite. Having clean pots and pans will help to prevent predators (such as bears) from snooping around at night.

9. Create A Quick Windbreak Around Your Campfire

Building a wall out of aluminum foil around your campfire will help protect it from the wind. This will also help reflect heat to help you stay warm at night.

10. Collect Rainwater

Collecting Rainwater | Aluminum Foil Survival Uses You Should Know About
Remember the makeshift bowl you made to boil water? Make it about 3 or 4 times that size (or just make several of them) to collect rainwater.