The Best Microwave Bacon Cooker Tray Ever!
I just had to post about this. Why? Because this is the best bacon cooker / grill tray I’ve ever had for microwave bacon!
I just finished a tray of bacon this morning and I thought, “This would be a fun post for some people…”
These days with many at home in “lockdown”, people are cooking more than usual. Especially since so many small businesses (restaurants & eateries) are now “out of business” thanks to you-know-what.
Anyway, we bought this microwave bacon cooker during the summer. I was tired of splattered bacon grease either in the oven or all over the stove top (depending how I chose to cook it). It’s not fun cleaning up that splattered grease. This is exactly what inspired me to try a microwave bacon tray. NO SPLASH – EASY CLEAN!
After a search, I quickly discovered what appeared to be one of the most popular microwavable bacon trays. And it was pretty cheap (as in not expensive). So I bought it and gave it a try.
>>check it out “PrepSolutions”
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How To Cook Microwave Bacon
It’s easy. However pay attention. Once you get used to how it works in your particular microwave oven, then it’ll be easy after that…
I always fill the tray. That way, the cook time is pretty consistent each time. But know this >> the total time varies a bit. Depends on the bacon itself and how thick it is, the consistency, and it’s size. But again, you will come to know what works for you.
Mrs.J likes her bacon pretty darn crispy (but not burnt!). I like mine less crispy. But you know who wins this one… that’s right, Mrs.J. So I cook the bacon to a relatively dark crisp. Be aware that even another 30 seconds can burn it. Your nose will let you know too.
So how long to cook bacon in the microwave?
With the caveats mentioned above, a tray of 5 slices (which is typical for this bacon tray) it takes 5 minutes 30 seconds at power level (80%) in my 1200 watt microwave. Sometimes it’s 5:45. Others it’s 6:00 (though not often). You will discover an approximate 30 second window of variability – depending on what I’ve mentioned above. Experiment. You’ll find out what works!
There’s no bacon grease splatter!
Did I mention that the cover (though it has vent slots) prevents splatter? Love it!
How does microwave bacon taste?
Simply put, it tastes as good as in the regular oven! In fact, I really like how the tray collects the bacon grease while leaving the bacon itself 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 microwavable bacon tray
In case you’re wondering if it’s a pain to clean the tray… No! Here’s how I do it:
After removing the cooked bacon, pour the bacon grease into a leftover aluminum can. I save some of my dog food cans for this. Do not pour down the drain because it will wreak havoc downstream so to speak… especially if you have a septic system! Don’t do it!
The grease will solidify in the can, and you can just toss it in the trash. I also SAVE some of my bacon grease. I pour it through a metal strainer into a bacon grease container. This provides some yummy grease for frying eggs!
>> This is exactly what I use for ready-made bacon grease on the countertop
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Next step in the cleanup process… Set the tray in the sink. Pour a bead of dish-washing liquid (Dawn is awesome) across the grill as shown. Then, with hot water from the faucet, add enough water to just fill the tray.
Let it sit for awhile (at least 5 or 10 minutes). This loosens up the particles a good bit. Then I simply dump it out, rinse again with hot water and put it in the dishwasher. Perfect results every time. A hand wash will be easy too.
Okay folks. That was exciting, yes? :)
That’s some modern survival! No more splattered bacon grease!
[ Read: 20 Other Uses For Soap ]
Ken, I just finished my lunch and after seeing your picture of that bacon made me hungry all over again!! Looks like a nice prep to have as long as we have electricity to run the nuke machine
Haha! It does look good, doesn’t it? ;)
No electricity? Well, my trusty propane stove and 1,000 gallon buried tank will get me through for awhile!
When that runs out, time to pull out my SOLO rocket stove and gather up some twigs for fuel ;)
Ken: I’m jealous! Propane can also run a propane-fridge and/or freezer until the propane runs out – but allows plenty of time for a person to eat up the perishables should the power-down last a very long time.
Do you not add any seasoning to it? Some salt and pepper go a long way with bacon. And on special occasions brown sugar. This looks awfully dry and bland
@BLT,
Just like cooking bacon with ANY method, the dryness or anywhere in-between is simply accomplished by cooking time. Period.
Like I said in the article, Mrs.J likes it crispy. That’s why I cook it that way. It’s not a battle worth fighting (haha!).
BLT,
I can see pepper or brown sugar, but adding salt to bacon as you cook it?
So Cal Gal,
Is that a serious question? Salt enhances the flavor of everything. Admittedly I haven’t worked in a professional kitchen in a while but when I left the food industry, salt was poured with a heavy hand on everything. I don’t recommend heavily salting at home but even a little salt can go a long way. Properly salting your food is one of the first things taught in culinary school.
David, rcb: For power-down situations, you can buy ready-cooked canned bacon. To warm it, use a sun oven (you can make one easily) or I’ve heated up stuff by putting it in the sun covered by a black garbage bag (naturally, you’d put a barrier like a paper towel or something between the bag and the food)….or a cast iron pan on an open fire for a minute or so.
I actually started pressure canning my own bacon now. Not super space friendly as I get about 10 or 11 slices per Quart jar, but sure great to grab one off the shelf to cook up for BLT’s.
I’ve used pre-cooked bacon and have made my own. Making your own is a very good idea in so many obvious ways. I like putting the strips in a pan in hot boiling water which removes the fat, pour it off, and then let it brown to eat it now or before it browns into the freezer to fry later.
Leanne, not to worry, like Ken, I have the trusty propane cook stove, but my tank is only 330 gallons, however it will run the stove for a couple years if not using the propane vent free fireplace which I hardly ever do, but in a grid down situation would need to use it for heat if in winter. I really don’t eat bacon that much anyway, even as much as I love that stuff, it’s bad for you dontcha know. I do appreciate all the suggestions though. Have yourself a fine day
This job is so hated by me, I buy two packages of bacon and cook in the garage-it usually takes an hour with one electric cooker with two eyes.
I use the bacon for sandwiches and grease for cornbread and seasoning for fried corn.
It is ordered as of now and thanks.
JayJay: A nice dollop of bacon grease into the pot also improves the taste of green split pea soup, navy bean soup, potato soup, cheese soup, etc. If you put a smidge in a skillet, it’s also great for browning bread or buns for sandwiches.
Ken, just ordered two through your link! Thank you for the information! (Yes, one is a gift for family member…)
Ken shame on you, I can’t imagine trashing any bacon grease. I love bacon and it seems I never have enough bacon grease, whether for green beans, pork n beans or black eyed peas and many other things. And the only bacon grease the dogs get, is when I let them lick the skillet clean (I can hear some of you cringe) but as you said Ken don’t put any down the drain.Trekker Out
Haha… yes I do keep some of the bacon grease – plus it’s excellent for the Keto / Carnivore way of eating! Definitely do not put it down the drain!
I can’t imagine how terrible microwave bacon must taste. It looks so dry
@BLT,
If you like your bacon flexible and greasy (I do), then just don’t cook it as long! It’s not Rocket Science ;)
We got rid of our microwave years ago. I have a tray like that in a a to-go-to-Goodwill box. No lid with it. We had used paper towels over the bacon when we used to use it.
The smell of bacon frying in a skillet and coffee brewing on the stove are two of the best things in the morning. Micro Waves are a little too gadgetry for some
cooking chores.
At least that’s what most dinosaurs say.
I’ve been microwaving my bacon for several years. Been using a round tray bottom with ridges like the one Ken is using. The cover is an opaque plastic. The tray and cover together looks very similar to a cake saver. Got it at Wally’s several years ago.
I microwave the bacon to about 75% done, keep it in a ziplock bag in the fridge until ready to finish cooking in the skillet for my breakfast each morning. Not enough fat left to splatter as I finish it in the skillet as I need it. I do up a pound in a microwave once a week, use about two slices for my breakfast each morning. Sure saves on cleanup.
I think my way is a lot simpler.
I just put several strips on a dish, with a paper towel (or 2) under the bacon and 1 on top.
Allow approx.1 minute of time in the microwave for each strip. Experience will give you the best time.
Discard the paper towels, a quick hand wash of the dish, and you’re done.
The down side is that you can’t save the bacon grease.
Works for me.
Anybody ever made bacon jerky?
I wonder if you could par boil it like bummin said. Then toss it in the dehydrator? I’ve bought some at the Dollar tree. So I know it can be done. Just never tried it yet.
I put the bacon grease in a cup or a can and let it cool. Then I put it in the hen pen (or chicken coop if you prefer). Chickens need fat too and they will eat it. I’d like to say it makes their eggs taste better but I would be lying.
I once dumped a clove of garlic in their food, and one chicken snatched it up before I could grab it. I was told that garlic was bad for the chickens so I thought it was a goner. Nope. Sadly, also no garlic eggs, but the henhouse smelled like strong garlic until I cleaned it.
Very nice, Merry Christmas to me. Better than Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.