Best Microwave Bacon Cooker Tray
I’ve found the best microwave bacon cooker. It cooks bacon in the microwave—no more splattered bacon grease popping out of a frying pan! Actually, I’ve had this bacon tray for several years. I just had to post about it for those searching for the perfect microwave bacon tray. Well, here it is.
I just finished cooking a tray of bacon this morning. It cooks nice and crispy in the microwave – if you do it right, which I will explain in a minute.
We bought this microwave bacon cooker as an experiment. I was skeptical about it and wasn’t sure if this cooker would cook bacon how I wanted (crispy).
After an online search, I quickly discovered what appears to be the most popular microwave bacon cooker. The price was right, so I bought it and gave it a try.
By the way, you can use it for other foods as well. For example to heat up a few slices of leftover pizza. Or to cook up some sausage links in the microwave.
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Here is their latest model bacon cooker (Large)…
Progressive International Prep Solutions
(This is the one that I have…)
How To Cook Bacon On A Microwave Tray
It’s easy. After you get used to how the cooker responds to your particular microwave oven and the right timing for cooking bacon, it will be easy afterward.
How Many Bacon Slices Fit On The Tray
I typically fit 6 slices on the tray. Here’s a photo of the tray loaded up:
How Long To Cook Bacon On A Microwave Tray
On average, start with 1 minute per slice (that’s for a full tray). Check it, and you may need to add more time. With my microwave, I usually go 7 minutes for 6 slices. But that depends on a few things…
As you know, there are different ‘power’ microwave ovens (watts). Yours might be 1,000 watts or 1,200 watts. Maybe less. The point is that this will affect how long it takes to cook your bacon in the tray.
The other thing that affects how long it takes, is the bacon itself, such as its thickness. Some bacon is cut pretty thin. Others are pretty thick. You will get used to it, and afterward, you’ll know how long it takes.
I usually fill the microwave tray. It might take about 5 or 6 slices laid flat. You can overlap them too, and squeeze another slice or two on the tray. I have also doubled up the bacon when it’s thin by stacking one slice on top of the other (it will take longer to cook).
Mrs.J likes her bacon pretty darn crispy (but not burnt!). I like mine a bit less crispy. Be aware that once it’s good-n-crisp if you keep microwaving it, the bacon will burn! Your nose will let you know!
6 minutes for a tray of 5 bacon slices
With the above caveats, a tray of 5 typical bacon slices takes about 6 minutes in my microwave (for crispy). Again, it depends on the bacon and how many slices you’ve crammed on the tray.
My microwave happens to be 1,200 watts. But I set it for an 80% power level when using the bacon tray (which essentially lowers it to approx. 1,000 watts). The instructions suggested doing that – if your microwave power rating is over 1,000 watts.
Experiment! You’ll find out what works with your setup. While you’re getting used to it, stop the microwave and lift the cover when it may be getting closer to finishing (careful – hot steam inside) to check the bacon cooking progress.
Bacon Tray Vented Cover – No Grease Splatter!
The tray cover has vent slots and a sort of grip in the middle for lifting (see the product photo above). Despite the vents, it does not splatter out. Nice!
Tip: If your fingers are wet (e.g. you just washed or rinsed your hands) it is difficult to lift the tray cover (slippery). Dry your hands first.
How Does Microwave Bacon Taste?
Simply put, it tastes great. I like how the tray collects the bacon grease while leaving the bacon crispier. It doesn’t sit there and cook in its own grease. Rather, it sits atop a grill of sorts. Nice…
How To Clean A Microwave Bacon Cooker Tray
In case you’re wondering if it is difficult to clean the tray… No, it’s not! Here’s how I do it:
After removing the cooked bacon, pour the bacon grease into a leftover aluminum can. Do not pour bacon grease down the drain – it will wreak havoc downstream as it solidifies… especially if you have a septic system! Don’t do it!
Instead, the grease will solidify in the can, and you can just toss it in the trash. I also SAVE some of my bacon grease. This provides some yummy grease for frying eggs!
We’ve had the following bacon drippings container for years. Love it!
Curry Enamel on Steel
(view on amzn)
Next step in the cleanup process… Set the tray in the sink. Pour a bead of dishwashing liquid (Dawn is awesome) across the grill as shown. Then, with hot water from the faucet, add and swish around enough water to fill the tray for soak.
Note: You could skip this soaking step if going directly into a dishwasher. However, we have found this interim step does help, even for the dishwasher.
Let it sit for a while (at least 5 or 10 minutes, or longer). This loosens up the bacon residue particles a good bit. Then I simply dump it out, rinse it again with hot water, and put it in the dishwasher. Perfect results every time. A hand wash will be easy too.
That’s some modern survival for ya! No more splattered bacon grease!
[ Read: 20 Other Uses For Soap ]