Bacon is a staple breakfast item in many households. No matter how you cook bacon, it ends up tasting delicious. Yet, it should matter how you cook it, especially if you regularly consume it. Excessive intake of greasy bacon can take an obvious toll on your cholesterol levels and general health. Among the different methods of cooking bacon, the least healthy is pan-frying it. In this article, we recommend the use of the best bacon cooker for the microwave or oven, to enjoy a healthier, less messy, and quicker bacon cooking experience.
That’s right! The quickest and best way to make perfectly crisp and healthier bacon, without creating a mess, is by microwaving it using the best bacon cooker tray, rack, pan, or combination. The best ones will help drain the grease, thus eliminating much of the fat and cholesterol. Once the grease is separated from the bacon, you may use it later for frying other food items.
In this guide, we’ve listed and reviewed 7 of the best bacon cookers available in the marketplace. Most of these are suitable for use in the microwave, while two of them are meant for the standard oven. After the reviews, towards the latter part of this guide, there’s an informative section outlining the factors to consider in making the best purchase decision, along with a helpful faq section.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks For Best Bacon Cookers
- Emson Bacon Wave, Microwave Bacon Cooker – Our Top Pick
- The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Tray
- Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray & Food Defroster
- Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker/Cooker with Lid
- EaZy MealZ Bacon Rack & Tray Set
- Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwavable Bacon Grill
- Gotham Steel Bacon Bonanza Copper Rack Tray with Pan
Table of Contents
Best Bacon Cooker Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Emson Bacon Wave, Microwave Bacon Cooker | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 0.96" x 8.03" x 0.37" • Weight: 14.9 Ounces | |
 | The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Tray | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 9.2” x 8.8” x 1.6” • Weight: 0.48 Ounces | |
 | Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray & Food Defroster | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 9.63” x 9.75” x 0.5” • Weight: 17.6 Ounces | |
 | Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker/Cooker with Lid | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 11.02” x 9.8” x 2.3” • Weight: 9.4 Ounces | |
 | EaZy MealZ Bacon Rack & Tray Set | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 17.91” x 12.56” x 2.48” • Weight: 48.96 Ounces | |
 | Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwavable Bacon Grill | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 12” x 10” x 2.25” • Weight: 16.48 Ounces | |
 | Gotham Steel Bacon Bonanza Copper Rack with Pan | • Dimensions (L x W x H): 16” x 14” x 6” • Weight: 16 Ounces |
1. Emson Bacon Wave, Microwave Bacon Cooker
How does perfectly cooked bacon in a jiffy sound? If you’re looking for that ideal crispy & tasty outcome of bacon through the microwave, in a matter of a few minutes, look no further. With the ‘Emson Bacon Wave’ microwave bacon cooker, you get a frying pan-like taste, albeit healthier! This innovative microwave bacon tray ensures your bacon gets cooked at the rate of 1 minute per piece, whilst minimizing grease, fat, calories, and the dreaded cholesterol. Read on, to learn the rest of the low down and why this product is one of the best bacon cookers available.
The tray can accommodate up to 14 slices of bacon for a total cooking time of 14 minutes. Yet, depending on the size of the slices, you can stack an extra 14 slices above the initial 14. This way, you can evenly cook a staggering 28 slices within 28 minutes, in one go. This works out great for large families or if you have guests over for the holidays. Another great quality of the Bacon Wave is that it makes your bacon healthier by separating the unwanted grease and substantially reducing the cholesterol and fat in the process.
Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about spending precious time cleaning all the hard to remove grease that drips down and accumulates at the very bottom of the tray. Once you’re done microwaving, simply remove the cooked bacon, give the tray a brief rinse, and pop it in the dishwasher for a more thorough cleaning.
Pros
- Separates the grease so that you have healthier bacon with less fat and cholesterol.
- The rack-style design of this tray makes the bacon stackable. You may stack up to 28 slices of bacon per session.
- All the excess grease drips down into the easy-to-clean tray.
- Dishwasher-safe.
- Easy to use and fast at cooking
- Cooks the bacon evenly, giving you great tasting, crispy bacon.
- Affordable price.
Cons
- There’s no lid.
- At a cooking speed of 1 minute per strip, when this large capacity tray is fully stacked, you end up waiting longer for the bacon to cook.
Our Final Verdict: Editors Choice
2. The Original ‘Makin Bacon’ Microwave Bacon Tray
The caption on the ‘Makin Bacon’ tray’s packaging aptly reads, “cook bacon better .. above the fat not in it.” That caption exactly describes what this well-designed product does. Your bacon strips are hung suspended in the air, allowing the grease to separate by dripping down into the tray. As a result, you end up with bacon that has 35% less fat content.
The ‘Makin Bacon’ tray is for microwave use only. It cooks strips of bacon in only 1 minute per strip. We love that the grease catchment tray is quite deep so that there is no splashing in your microwave. The collected grease is reusable for frying later.
This USA-made product is made of specially formulated high heat plastic, for incredible quality and durability. The cooking process involves hanging the bacon strips over the drip bars. To avoid splattering, cover the bacon strips with a sheet of paper towel (to prevent splattering), before popping it in the microwave.
There are altogether 3 drip bars, allowing you to hang up to 6 bacon strips per bar. Yet, for a more even cooking, we recommend hanging no more than 4 bacon strips per drip bar. Not only is this product easy to use, but cleaning the dishwasher-safe tray is also a breeze.
Pros
- The innovative design lets you hang bacon strips.
- Made in the USA.
- Excellent for those that love crispy bacon.
- Dishwasher-safe.
- The depth of the pan ensures there won’t be grease splattering in the microwave.
- The result is 35% less fat in your bacon.
- Very affordable.
Cons
- If you cook to full capacity (18 bacon strips in one session), you may not get evenly cooked bacon. Also, it will take a longer time to cook all that bacon together.
3. Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray & Food Defroster
The design of this ‘Nordic Ware’ item makes it suitable for use as a microwave bacon tray as well as a food defroster tray. The slanted rectangular tray has v-shaped ridges to ensure the bacon stays up while the entire grease and moisture drains away and gets collected in a separate area. The design of the tray also makes it incredible at even heat distribution while in the microwave. Your bacon or other food items turn out great, due to the sturdy base and non-stick properties of this tray.
The surface area of the tray is quite large. It allows for up to 6 large bacon strips or a similar combination of other meat items to be cooked in one go. This attractive, American-made product doesn’t look out of place when you move it from one place to another. This means you can proudly move it from the freezer to the microwave and then onto the dining table for serving.
Ever since its humble beginning by the husband and wife team about 75 years ago, Nordic Ware has continued the tradition of introducing innovative kitchenware products to its already expansive list. This item is no exception. As with other products by Nordic Ware, this highly practical bacon and food defroster tray is BPA and Melamine-free and carries a 5-Year Warranty.
Pros
- Easy to use for cooking bacon or defrosting other items in the microwave.
- The innovative V-shaped ridge design keeps the bacon away from the dripping grease.
- Large capacity with a rectangular base.
- Durable product with uniform distribution of heat.
- Easy to clean.
- The bacon can be served on the tray itself.
Cons
- Not suitable for small microwaves.
- There is no lid included.
4. Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker/Cooker with Lid
For crispy bacon with no mess in the microwave, you need the best bacon cooker to do the job. The ‘Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker/Cooker with Lid’ is the perfect companion to achieve that. This incredible product completely measures up in offering a quick and clean way of cooking up to 6 slices of bacon in your microwave. And, it does so within 3 to 5 minutes.
The grooves are purposely designed deep so that the grease (hence fat, cholesterol, and all the mess) are drained away from the bacon. The result is healthier cooking and a happier you! You won’t have to worry about the grease touching the bacon even at the time of removing the cooked bacon. To facilitate this, there is an integrated drain spout that lets you effortlessly drain the grease.
We also love the clear lid that lets you see the progress of the bacon while it’s being cooked. The lid also ensures a splatter-free experience while cooking, thus, making the cleanup a breeze. The large handles add to the incredible ergonomics of the tray. They make it easy for you to place and remove the tray. As a further blessing, this product is dishwasher-safe and entirely BPA-free.
Pros
- Super easy to clean.
- Cooks bacon faster than most other competing products.
- The lid makes it a splatter-free process in the microwave.
- The clear lid makes it easy to view the cooking progress.
- The deep grooves collect the grease and keep it well away from the bacon.
- The drain sprout and large handles add to the overall ease of use.
- Dishwasher-safe and BPA-free.
Cons
- Some users reported the tray is a little too crowded for 6 slices of full-size bacon.
- The deep grooves can be difficult to clean if you’ve left the grease in there for a long period.
5. EaZy MealZ Bacon Rack & Tray Set
This EaZy MealZ product is the best bacon tray when it comes to serving a large capacity regularly. You’ll fall in love with this bacon rack and tray set if you need to cook bacon for a family of up to 5 people in one go. The rack accommodates up to 18 strips of bacon in its XL-sized framework.
The best part is, all those strips of bacon are separated so that there’s proper heat circulation leading to even cooking. Moreover, there’s a tray underneath the rack that catches all the excess grease, resulting in healthier cooking. Furthermore, both the rack and the tray are non-stick ceramic coated. The pan doubles up as a baking tray if desired.
This particular product is for use in the oven only. It’s not meant to fit inside a microwave. Due to their non-stick nature, both the rack and the tray are a breeze to clean. Besides cooking crispy and tasty bacon, this baking tray also works wonders in baking foods like casseroles, cakes, muffins, cookies, bread, and lasagna among many other dishes.
Pros
- The rack and tray set accommodates up to 18 strips of bacon.
- The non-stick ceramic surface is easy to clean.
- The baking tray can also be used for baking many other foods including lasagna, casseroles, cakes, and much more.
- Efficient grease catchment and drainage.
- You end up cooking tasty, crispy bacon for a family of up to 5 people.
Cons
- Some users reported that the rack seems a bit flimsy.
- Not meant for microwaves.
6. Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwavable Bacon Grill
Next on our best bacon cooker list is the ‘Progressive Microwavable Bacon Grill Tray’ by Prep Solutions. The company is a 40-year-old kitchenware manufacturer. This fairly large-sized bacon grill that comes with a cover, cooks about 4 to 6 strips of bacon perfectly in the microwave. The raised, ridged surface ensures the bacon is kept elevated as the grease drips beneath it. As long as you have a microwave with a turntable diameter of at least 12.5 inches, you’re fine to go with this product.
Another great feature is the cooker’s vented cover. The cover prevents the grease from splattering in the microwave. The cover also features a recessed handle that enables the user to easily remove the tray. This is a truly versatile bacon grill tray, in that it lets you perform a full host of other cooking tasks. For instance, you may use this bacon grill to also cook your favorite patties, pizza rolls, snacks, sausage, and a lot more.
The perks don’t end there. This product is made of BPA-free plastic to ensure optimal safety during use. Furthermore, it can easily either be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Great bacon grill to cook delicious bacon fast and easy in the microwave!
- The large cooking area accommodates 4 to 6 strips of bacon.
- Raised ridged design aids the collection of dripping fat.
- The vented cover prevents splattering in the microwave.
- BPA-free plastic construction.
- Easy to clean and Dishwasher-safe.
Cons
- It has a relatively lower tolerance to intense heat.
7. Gotham Steel Bacon Bonanza Copper Rack Tray with Pan
The ‘Gotham Steel Bacon Bonanza’ set is an XL-sized bacon rack and tray set. It can accommodate up to 18 strips of bacon and cook them to perfection, whilst the dripping grease is kept at bay. This bacon cooker aids in excellent results when it comes to getting perfectly crispy and delicious cooked bacon.
The product features a custom-fitted pan to catch all the fat so that you can enjoy healthier bacon, free of the dreaded calories and cholesterol.
To use the Gotham Bacon Bonanza, simply position the bacon divider rack into the main pan, and use the divided sections for each of the bacon strips. Next, place the pan in the oven to cook the bacon. As the pan heats, the bacon will shrink as expected, but you can rest assured the divider will keep it from curling up. You’ll be astonished at how crispy, fat-free, and delicious the outcome is.
Another worthy mention is the copper coating of the aluminum rack and pan. This impressive, patented titanium and ceramic surface results in an incredible non-stick performance. But, due to the complexity of a rack in general, the clean-up isn’t as easy. With a little extra effort than a mere pour and wipe process, you do, however, end up getting rid of the grease. The only thing to watch out for is to not overcook. Otherwise, the bacon will get dry and lose its flavor.
Pros
- The super non-stick surface is patented.
- Durable.
- Dishwasher-safe.
- Oven-safe up to 500F.
- PTFE/PFOA/PFOS free.
- Let’s you bake a full host of food items, not just bacon.
Cons
- A bit pricey.
- Be careful not to overcook the bacon, otherwise, it dries up.
- Not for microwaves.
Things To Consider When Buying The Best Bacon Cookers
Like with shopping for any product, if you end up buying anything less than satisfactory, you’ll end up wasting money on an item you won’t be using. The same goes for a bacon cooker. Given below are the most important features to keep in mind when you are on the hunt for the perfect bacon cooker for your use.
Compatibility:
Are you considering buying a microwavable bacon cooker? If yes, compare the dimensions of the product with the size of the inside of your microwave. While many compact bacon cookers fit easily inside most microwave ovens, be wary of the larger tray-style variants that only fit into the largest microwaves.
Type of Material:
Food safety and your health should be your priority. Any food item being cooked comes in direct touch with the cooking utensil. Similarly, Bacon should be cooked in a coker that is made of food-grade safe materials like BPA-free plastic, stainless steel, copper, or food-grade silicone. As good practice, always check the user manual of the product for such details.
Size & Capacity:
You should select a bacon cooker that meets your specific cooking demands. To make this decision easier for you, ask yourself the simple question: how often do I cook bacon and for how many people? Your answer will place your requirement in one among few categories: single person, small family, large family, or commercial use. Once you’ve established this, you need to look out for the size and capacity specs mentioned on the packaging.
Ease of Cleaning:
This depends on the complexity of the design, the effectiveness of the non-stick material, and whether the product is dishwasher-safe. If you opt for a dishwasher-safe product, then more than half your cleaning battle is won.
Lid:
A lid on the bacon cooker serves an important functionality. It helps distribute the heat evenly and safeguards the oven from oil splatters. The preference should be for a transparent lid with vents so that there’s even cooking as well as viewability of the cooking in progress.
FAQs
Is it a good idea to cook bacon in the microwave?
Yes, it is! Bacon that’s been cooked in the microwave is healthier than that made in a frying pan. In the microwave, the bacon not only ends up being cooked crispier but depending on the cooking tray used, there’s a high chance you would have freed the bacon from its greasy elements.
What does a bacon cooker do?
Since a bacon cooker is specifically designed to cook bacon only, it ensures the bacon turns out crispy, healthier, and tasty. The excess grease which translates into fat and cholesterol drains off during the process. The cooker makes cooking bacon easier and less messy as there’s even cooking without having to turn the bacon strips, and there is no splattering.
For how long should bacon be cooked in the microwave?
If the strips of bacon are thick, it should take 1 minute per strip to get fully cooked in the high heat of the microwave oven. Taking the example of one of the products listed in this review, the ‘Emson Bacon Wave’ microwave bacon cooker stacked with 14 bacon strips, would take about 14 minutes to cook.
What is the fastest way to cook bacon?
The fastest way to cook delicious bacon is by cooking it in the microwave. For this, you can use either a tray-style or rack-style microwave bacon cooker. Bacon that’s placed on either the tray or rack style cooker should be covered and cooked in the high heat of the microwave. Once cooked, the bacon strips should be placed on a paper towel to further drain off any excess grease.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve reviewed the top 7 bacon cooker products. Which one of these you select depends on how many folks you’re cooking for, how frequently you cook, and your budget. All 7 yield optimal results when it comes to getting your bacon right!