Bacon is a staple in many meat lover families. The taste of bacon is delicious no matter how it is made. However, the struggle comes when you try to cook perfectly crispy bacon without a grill. The splashing of hot fat leaves a lot of mess while cooking in the pan or microwave.
Luckily, with the best microwave bacon cooker, you can avoid all the mess. Yes, you can enjoy mouthwatering crispy bacon without striking fire in the premises. These specially designed bacon cookers include all the features to make crispy bacon quickly.
The best part is you can eat healthier bacon as the fats are drained separately. All you have to worry about is accidentally burning them. However, a lot of kitchenware promises to make perfect bacon in the microwave.
Most of them are turned out to be useless and a waste of money. So, here we sorted a list of the best microwave cooker on the market. Check them out to make an informed purchase for your kitchen today!
Top 9 Best Microwave Bacon Cooker Reviews
While making a list, we've focused on the cookers with high ratings and positive reviews. We believe that only good quality and performance can satisfy the users.
Our listed microwave bacon cookers stand out as less gimmicky than their counterparts. So, get ready to cook crispy bacon quickly with less mess.
1. Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwavable Bacon Grill
Grill delicious, crispy bacon in the microwave with Progressive microwave bacon grill by Prep Solutions. Grilling bacon is fast and easy in this large size tray. It allows cooking 4 to 6 bacon strips at a time.
This microwave bacon cooker comes with several raised ridges. It keeps the bacon above the bottom surface, so the excess fats drip down. The oil is stored in the bottom surface, which you can remove later.
Thus, you can enjoy healthier and crispier bacon in minutes. Then, the cooker has a vented cover that prevents grease splattering inside the microwave. The cover includes a recessed handle for easy removal of the lid.
Along with bacon strips, you can also cook sausage lick, patties, and other snacks. However, the cooker is made of BPA-free plastic, so it is safe to use. You can wash it both by hand and in the dishwasher.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
The Prep Solutions by Progressive bacon grill makes any meal preparation an easy job. The design is so compact that it fits in most microwaves. Make sure you use tongs to remove hot and crispy bacon.
2. Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray
The Nordic Ware Microwave bacon tray is an easy-to-use microwave bacon tray for occasional bacon lovers. The cooker not only helps you cook bacon but also allows defrosting other food items. It can accommodate six pieces of bacon.
This slanted tray features V-shaped ridges that keep bacon away from draining grease. It comes in a rectangular shape so you can cook much bacon at once. Also, it ensures a uniform distribution of heat.
Moreover, it has a sturdy aluminum base along with non-stick properties. It prevents bacon strips from sticking, and thus you get a crispier texture. The tray is dishwasher safe, so both cooking and cleaning are simple.
Along with cooking, you can use the tray for serving bacon on the table. The bacon tray takes less space due to its compact size. You can easily clean it and store it for the next sessions.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
What we liked most is its versatility. You can use a single tray for cooking bacon, defrost other foods, and serving the food. Indeed, it’s a worthy investment for any kitchen.
3. Joie Piggy Microwave Bacon Tray
As the name suggests, the Joie Piggy bacon tray is a dedicated bacon cooker on the market. It allows cooking bacon without messy splatters. You can cook about 4 to 5 bacon strips at a time.
This little piggy features raised ridges inside the tray. It helps to elevate the bacon strips for even heat distribution. You get healthier and crispier bacon as the fats drip away.
The main attraction of the cooker is its bright pink lid. It helps to reduce oil splatter, so your microwave stays clean. There is also a piggy-shaped carrying handle in the lid. It is easy to hold and lift the lid.
Because of the design of the cooker, it takes minimum time to cook crispy bacon. You can also adjust the cooking time for desired crispiness. It can withstand the heat until the bacon is perfectly cooked. Above all, it is made of BPA-free plastic as well as dishwasher-safe.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
Overall, Joie Piggy bacon tray makes bacon cooking easy and splatter-free. It's a perfect cooker to cook healthier and crispier bacon.
4. Emson Bacon Wave Microwave Bacon Cooker
Emson Bacon Wave is the first rack-style bacon cooker in our list. The cooker is perfect for bacon-freak people who want to cook many slices at once. This excellent bacon cooker can accommodate up to 28 slices of bacon.
The Emson Bacon Wave features raised racks to hold the bacon. With a little practice, you can easily place the bacon strips into the stands. The racks sit above the tray, so the excess fat drips down into the tray.
Moreover, the racks are designed in a way that allows air to circulate around the strips. It cooks bacon uniformly to perfect crispy. You can quickly drain away from the excess grease after cooking.
The best part is the cooked bacon contains less fat, calories, and cholesterol. Its BPA-free plastic is dishwasher compatible. So it is easy to clean. What we found the best is its affordable price. You can enjoy cooking more bacon into an affordable cooker.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
The Emson Bacon Wave is perfect for party use or extra-large family. Besides, you can enjoy oil-free bacon at a low price.
5. Nordic Ware Microwave 2-Sided Round Bacon and Meat Grill
Nordic Ware is always a step ahead to bring versatile cooker for your kitchen. Here comes another versatile microwave bacon grill from Nordic Ware. You can cook everything from bacon, meat grill to pie.
The cooker is made of BPA-free and melamine-free plastic. It is absolutely safe to use in the microwave. Unlike others, it comes with a 2-sided tray. The ridged side keeps the bacon elevated, so the extra fats drip off.
Then, you can use its flat side for general serving and heating purposes. What we liked most is its 10-inch spatter cover. It helps to prevent spattering while you cook. Also, there are vents in the lid which avoid steam build-up.
However, both the tray and lid are safe to use in the dishwasher. You can cook the meal, serve, and clean without any hassle. Above all, it works efficiently in any microwave.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
Indeed, Nordic Ware 2-sided bacon grill is a multifunction tray. The price is low compared to its functionalities.
6. Nordic Ware Microwaveable Slanted Bacon Tray
The Nordic Ware microwaveable bacon tray is a simple tray used for bacon cooking and food defrosting. It comes with a slanted tray which can accommodate six pieces of bacon.
The tray is equipped with high-density plastic, which can withstand microwave heats to 400oF. Its sloped design helps to drain away grease while cooking. Besides, its V-shaped ridges ensure uniform distribution of heat.
You can enjoy crispy bacon as the ridges perfectly elevate the bacon strips. The bacon strips won’t stick to the surface because of its non-stick properties. However, the tray features a large capacity to cook more bacon strips at a time.
Most of all, you can use the same cooking tray for serving on the table. The cooker is easy to clean as it is dishwasher-safe.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
The Nordic Ware slanted bacon tray offers a convenient way to cook bacon. The tray looks simple but works more efficiently than most bacon cookers.
7. OXO Cooker Good Grips Microwave Bacon Crisper
The OXO cooker is one of the best microwave bacon cookers for many reasons. First of all, it's beautiful, yet functional design attracts many bacon lovers. Then, it is easy to clean and allows cooking crispy bacon.
This tray-style cooker features a deep gutter design for grasping extracted fats. Then, its adjustable kickstand allows the excess fats to drip away. So you can enjoy healthier and crispier bacon strips.
Besides, its removable drain cover stops grease from spreading out of the grease trap. The cooker is made of BPA-free material, which is also dishwasher safe. You can safely cook your meal and clean both by hand and in the dishwasher.
However, the cooker can accommodate up to 6 bacon strips at once. It is perfect for small families. After cooking, you can fold it flat and store it in your kitchen cabinet. Unlike others, it comes with an OXO guarantee, so you'll get an easy replacement.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
All in all, the OXO microwave bacon cooker is safe and convenient. Though it comes in a bit pricier side, it is worthwhile. Also, consistency is unmatchable.
8. Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwave Bacon Grill, Large
In the next, we’ve got another Progressive microwave bacon grill from Pre Solutions. It is best at maximum dripping fats from the bacon strips. This large bacon grill can comfortably accommodate 7-9 bacon strips at once.
This specially designed microwave grill features high ridges to keep bacon elevated. The excess fat drips off into the easy-drain reservoir. So, you get healthier bacon for your breakfast.
The microwave grill is perfect for cooking larger quantities. Or you can cook a larger combination of other foods at once. Along with bacon strips, it is excellent for cooking taquitos, pizza rolls, sausage links, etc.
Since it drains away maximum grease, you can enjoy crispy bacon by adjusting cooking time. This BPA-free microwave grill is dishwasher safe. So you can easily clean it after each cooking session.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
The Progressive microwave grill is an innovative and essential tool for the everyday cook. Also, it comes at a lower price, so give it a try!
9. Nordic ware Freeze Heat & Serve Bacon Rack
Our last Nordic Ware bacon rack is designed for roasting bacon, as well as many other dishes. It is perfect for everyday use in a small family. The design might look simple, but the cooker serves its purpose well.
The bacon rack is equipped with a high-density plastic. It can withstand the heat in the microwave. The ridges in the bacon rack are extra thick. So, it helps to drip off excess fats well.
However, it keeps the bacon perfectly elevated so the heat can circulate from all sides. In the end, you get healthy and crispy bacon strips. The size of the tray is perfect for cooking 4 strips of bacon with little hassle.
The bacon rack is not dishwasher safe, but you can easily clean it by hand. Besides, fewer amounts of grease stick to the rack, and this makes the cleaning process easier. Above all, its low-profile design allows for secure storage.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict:
If you need to cook bacon occasionally, this Nordic Ware bacon rack would be best for you. Overall, it is easy to use, and it takes less time to cook crispy bacon.
Types of Microwave Bacon Cooker
While looking for the best microwave cooker, we found two types of cookers on the market. The first type has a plastic rack perpendicular to a tray. The bacon is arranged on the rack, so it’s lifted off the tray.
However, the design of this type of cooker may vary depending on different brands. The second type features a plastic tray with raised edges. It looks like a grill pan without a handle. Here the excess fats drop down in between the raised edges.
The type of bacon cooker matters a lot. If you choose the first option, you can cook healthier bacon. The bacon and fats stay in the separate section. But, you have to learn how to arrange bacon on the tray.
Benefits of Using the Best Microwave Cooker
Microwaving is the best way to enjoy healthier and crispier bacon. Some people use the skillet for cooking bacon. It is tough to achieve the best result unless you are an expert in cooking bacon. That's where a microwave bacon cooker comes handy.
Microwave bacon cookers are specially designed to use in the microwave. You can place too many slices into the tray or the hanging rack. Once you master handling the pieces, you can cook bacon like a pro.
The plastic slots in the cooker are specially-designed. So, the fat won’t splash on the microwave tray. Here are a few of the advantages of using a microwave cooker.
How to Choose the Best Microwave Cooker for Bacon
Choosing the best product requires extensive research. The same goes for the microwave bacon cooker. You need to look at customer feedback and references. Along with this, there are some points that you should keep in mind.
Below we’ve assembled a few features of bacon cooker that you should consider. Take a look.
Size and Dimension
The main reason you are looking for a bacon cooker is to use it in the microwave. So, the size of the cooker should fit into your microwave. If it is bigger than your microwave size, it will be no use to you.
Before you choose the cooker, measure the inner dimension of your microwave. Then find the cooker based on the microwave size. The rack-style cookers are compact so that they could fit in any microwave.
However, the tray-style cooker comes in either a square or rectangle shape. The length of these cookers may not fit every microwave.
Accommodation of Bacon Strip
You are purchasing a bacon cooker to fry more bacon strips at once. It saves both energy and time. So, the more it can accommodate bacon strips, the better it serves its purpose.
The tray-style cooker allows for flat strips placement. You may not fry more bacon at a time. Conversely, the stripes need to hang in the rack-style cooker to accommodate more strips at once.
Also, you have to consider your family size as well as cooking needs. If you have a small family, you should go with a tray-style microwave bacon cooker.
Quality of Plastic
More or less, microwave bacon cookers come with plastic body. You are going to use it in your microwave. And, the bacon comes in contact with the cooker in the heat. Thus, it should be made of BPA-free plastic.
BPA-free plastics are not prone to high heat, so they are safe for health. The quality of the plastic has a long-range effect on its constancy. So, make sure the cooker is made of sturdier plastic.
Lid
It looks simple, but lid plays an essential role in the bacon cooker. The cover helps to distribute the heat equally. Besides, it removes the splattering of oils. So, you must purchase a cooker with a high-quality lid. Some cookers feature a unique pressure lid for crispier bacon with a lesser mechanism.
Capability to Remove Excess Fat
The annoying part of bacon is it leaves excess fat while cooking. You are purchasing the microwave bacon cooker as it can drain off as much as possible. Hence, look for a cooker with gutter design as well as an oil collection tray.
The tray-style bacon cookers are the most efficient in removing excess oil. The tray where the fat is stored is removable. So, you can easily take out the tray and remove excess oil.
Cooking Time
People often overlook the cooking time in their microwaves while purchasing a bacon cooker. Cooking time denotes the wattage of your microwave. If your microwave has lower-wattage, consider a cooker that can cook bacon with 15sec. It will take very little time to cook bacon into higher-wattage microwaves.
Ease of Cleaning
Cooking bacon is a messier task even if you are cooking in the microwave bacon cooker. But, the best microwave cooker will let you clean it with less hassle. Hence, choose a cooker that is easy to disassemble and clean.
The best option is to choose a dishwasher-safe cooker. Simple dismantle the cooker and clean it in the dishwasher.
Storage
After you enjoy crispy bacon, you prefer to store the cooker safely for the next sessions. Make sure the cooker fits into your kitchen storage. The rack-style cookers are easy to store as the racks are removable.
Warranty
Look into the warranty of the cooker while making a decision. If the manufacturer provides a better warranty, it means they are confident about their products. It's a good sign, so make sure you keep that in mind.
Microwave Bacon Cooker vs. Pan Frying
Frying bacon in the pan might seem the simplest way to cook bacon. However, cooking bacon in the microwave with dedicated microwave bacon cookers is far easier. When you are frying in the skillet, you have to watch out for it to flip.
Besides, fan prying leaves a lot of mess during cooking. You might not get the desired crispiness unless you are an expert. You can quickly cook bacon in the microwave bacon cooker even if you are not an expert.
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of using both ways.
Microwave Bacon Cooker | Pan Frying Method | |
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Tips to Achieve the Crispiest Microwave Bacon
Gone are those days when you struggle to cook the crispiest bacon on the skillet. With the advancement in microwave technology, you can achieve the crispiest bacon in no time. In the bacon cooker, you can lay too many bacon strips at a time.
This way, you can get your bacon strips cooked faster than before. But, people make mistakes in loading strips of bacon on the cooker. It leads to crumbling and chewy bacon. Follow the tips below to get the perfect crispiest bacon.
- While laying the bacon, make sure they are not in contact with another. You can keep them close together, but they shouldn't touch.
- Keep the bacon elevated so the grease can drop off. Most cookers are made with this in mind. So, use the proper dripping method to ensure the bacon remains dry.
FAQs
Q1- How do you use a microwave bacon cooker?
Here we’ll tell you how to cook bacon in the tray-style cookers-
- Lay the bacon strips on the tray. Make sure they are not touching each other.
- Cover the tray correctly and microwave the bacon as per directions. It should take 5 minutes to cook five-piece bacon strips in 1000W power.
- By now, the bacon strips are ready. Now remove them from the tray to the plate.
Q2- Is Bacon good in the microwave?
Absolutely! In fact, it is healthier than pan-fried bacon. Microwave cooked bacon is somewhat chewier as well as crispier. You can cook it as crispy as you like. Note that, bacon will get crispier once it cools.
Q3- What is a bacon cooker?
Bacon cooker is a specially designed cooker for bacon. It cooks bacon until it is perfectly crispy. Besides, the cookers drain off excess fat, which prevents the mess from happening from oil splattering. You don't have to worry about turning the bacon strips.
Q4- How long do you cook thick-cut bacon in the microwave?
Each piece thick-cut bacon strips should take one minute to cook in high heat. If you place six thick slices, you have to microwave on high for 5-6 minutes.
Q5- What is the quickest way to cook bacon?
Both tray-style and rack-style microwave cookers allow cooking bacon quickly. Place the bacon on the tray or the rack and then cover them adequately. Put on the cooker into the microwave and cook it as per directions. Then, place the bacon strips on a paper towel.
Q6- How long does it take to cook bacon in a microwave?
It should take one minute to cook one slice of bacon in a microwave. But, if you place too much bacon at once, the cooking time will reduce. For example, for eight slices of bacon, you have to cook 4-6 minutes in the microwave.
Q7- How long do you cook bacon?
It depends on the cooking method. If you are cooking in a frying pan, it will take 8-12 minutes on medium heat. Then, it takes 18-20 minutes to cook bacon in the oven. It takes the least time to cook in the microwave, one minute per slice.
Q8- How do you make precooked bacon crispy?
The procedure to make precooked bacon crispy is similar to raw bacon. But, the only difference is in the duration of cooking. Since the bacon is already cooked, it will take less time to become crispy. Place the bacon over the tray or the rack and cook it for half the time.
Q9- How do you cook bacon on a bacon rack in the microwave?
Place the bacon in the rack in the distance from each other. Make sure to leave enough space so the grease can drop off. If the bacon cooker comes with a lid, cover them with the lid. Put it inside the microwave and cook as per directions. Once your bacon is ready, place them into a paper towel.
Q10- Should you use paper towels while microwaving bacon?
If the bacon cooker comes with a lid, it is not necessary to use a paper towel. Otherwise, it is better to use a paper towel so the towel can absorb grease splatter. In general, it is not so essential to line the cooker with a paper towel. The cookers are designed to capture and drain excess fat.
Q11- How to store cooked bacon?
You can store cooked bacon in airtight container r zip-top bags. Cooked bacon remains fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator and for up to one month in the freezer.
Conclusion
In your bacon cooking experience, you likely have considered microwave as the last option. From not on, you’ll certainly consider it your first option. Microwave cooked bacon possesses many benefits than its counterparts.
Once you get one from our suggested best microwave bacon cooker, cooking bacon will surely be easy-peasy. Most of them stood out as well-designed and easy to use. So, choose one depending on your preference and make your meal great every day.