Photo: Hamilton Beach
The name says it all. A bacon cooker is a specialized piece of cooking hardware that contains all the features to make bacon cooking much easier. This usually means a mechanism for draining away the fat, cooking without requiring to flip the meat, etc.
There are many more features that come with these cookers and with this, there are different varieties of them with different features to choose from in the market. However, this article narrows it down to 9 of the best bacon cookers that you should consider buying.
In this post:
- 9 Best Bacon Cookers – Review
- 1. Progressive International PS-66LID – Microwave Bacon Cooker with Lid
- 2. Camerons Products Makin’ Bacon – Bacon Cooker with Drip Bars
- 3. OXO 11185700 – Bacon Cooker with a Removable Drain Lid
- 4. Presto 5101 – Bacon Cooker with Removable Racks
- 5. Hamilton Beach 25600 – 3-in-1 Grill
- 6. MSC International Joie Piggy 78416 – Bacon Cooker with Raised Ridges
- 7. Emson Bacon Wave TRTAZ11A – Stackable Bacon Cooker
- 8. Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker – Bacon Cooker with Deep Drain Grooves
- 9. Nordic Ware 60109 – Cheapest Bacon Cooker
- How to Buy the Best Bacon Cookers
- Conclusion
9 Best Bacon Cookers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Progressive International PS-66LID (Microwave Type with Lid) |
| |
 | 2. Camerons Products Makin’ Bacon (With Drip Bars) |
| |
 | 3. OXO 11185700 (Has Removable Drain Lid) |
| |
 | 4. Presto 5101 (With Removable Racks) |
| |
 | 5. Hamilton Beach 25600 (3-in-1 Grill) |
| |
 | 6. MSC International Joie Piggy 78416 (With Raised Ridges) |
| |
 | 7. Emson Bacon Wave TRTAZ11A (Stackable) |
| |
 | 8. Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker (With Deep Drain Grooves) |
| |
 | 9. Nordic Ware 60109 (Cheapest) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Progressive International PS-66LID (Microwave Type with Lid)
|
2. Camerons Products Makin’ Bacon (With Drip Bars)
|
3. OXO 11185700 (Has Removable Drain Lid)
|
4. Presto 5101 (With Removable Racks)
|
5. Hamilton Beach 25600 (3-in-1 Grill)
|
6. MSC International Joie Piggy 78416 (With Raised Ridges)
|
7. Emson Bacon Wave TRTAZ11A (Stackable)
|
8. Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker (With Deep Drain Grooves)
|
9. Nordic Ware 60109 (Cheapest)
|
1. Progressive International PS-66LID – Microwave Bacon Cooker with Lid
Photo: Progressive International
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 2.25 inches
Starting us off is this microwave bacon cooker from Progressive industries, which is innovative designed with a vented cover. This prevents grease from splattering outside while also allowing steam to escape. The handle also has a recessed handle for easy removal after cooking.
On the inside, the unit has a grill design that keeps the bacon pieces elevated so that the fat drips off below, ensuring the meat left as cooking is as healthy as possible.
Other features include a 12 x 10 x 2.25-inch grill size that is suitable for cooking 4-6 strips of bacon at a time, which is not that many, and a white plastic build that is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Innovative vented cover that keeps grease from splattering outside
- Recessed handle on the lid for easy removal
- Grill design keeps the bacon pieces elevated for fat to drip
- Dishwasher safe plastic construction
Cons:
- Holds and cooks a few strips of bacon at a time
2. Camerons Products Makin’ Bacon – Bacon Cooker with Drip Bars
Photo: Camerons Products
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.8 x 1.6 inches
Unlike the cooker above, Camerons Products’ Makin’ Bacon features 3 drip bars, in which you hang your bacon pieces vertically as they cook. This method is very effective because it drains off up to 35% of the fat, leaving the meat crispy and very healthy.
Additionally, this design increases the area under which you can cook your bacon because one bar can carry up to 6 strips. With the three, you can cook up to 18 pieces at a time, making it one of the best vertical bacon cookers.
The product is also equipped with a large tray at the base of the drip bars, which collects the fat so that you use it later for frying.
Other features include a high-heat plastic formulation that is white and is dishwasher safe for easy maintenance. On the downside, a tray cover is not included, which may cause the fat to splash around, and the drip bar design takes too much space vertically.
Pros:
- Drip bar design drains up to 35% of fat from the meat
- Can cook up to 18 bacon strips at a time
- Large tray for collecting fat
- High heat plastic construction
- Dishwasher safe for easy maintenance
Cons:
- Lacks a tray cover
- Takes up too much space due to the drip bars
3. OXO 11185700 – Bacon Cooker with a Removable Drain Lid
Photo: OXO
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Silicone
- Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.4 x 2 inches
This bacon cooker is fitted with a removable drain lid, which allows fat to flow to the collection tray below while also preventing it from splashing out to the microwave. The drain lid is fitted with a silicone cooking surface that is removable and easy to clean.
The whole piece is actually dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, BPA-free for safety purposes and folds flat for compact storage after use.
Also included is an adjustable kickstand, which allows the liquid fat to flow easily into the grease tray, resulting in healthy meat pieces and fat that can be used for frying later on.
However, this design can only cook a few bacon pieces at a time (about 6) and does not drain fat as effectively as the vertical design cooker.
Pros:
- Removable drain lid keeps fat from splashing around
- Removable and easy-to-clean silicone cooking surface
- BPA-free and dishwasher safe design
- Folds flat for compact storage
- Adjustable kickstand allows fat to flow easily
Cons:
- Only fits about 6 bacon pieces
- Not as effective in draining fat
4. Presto 5101 – Bacon Cooker with Removable Racks
Photo: Presto
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.2 x 5.4 inches
Presto’s 5101 also takes on a vertical design, and it features 3 racks on which you can cook up to 12 bacon pieces at a time (4 per rack). This design allows the meat to lose as much fat as possible to remain crispy and very healthy.
These racks are also removable and this allows you to stack them after cleaning for compact storage. That said, the unit is fully immersible and dishwasher safe, which ensures all the tiny and hard-to-reach areas are covered in the cleaning process.
More features include a black grease tray at the bottom for collecting all the liquid fat and a lightweight plastic build. However, no lid is included, and this means that some fat may splatter as you cook.
Pros:
- The vertical design ensures most of the fat drains off
- 3 racks with the capacity to cook up to 12 pieces at a time
- Removable and stackable racks for compact storage
- Fully immersible and dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Tray cover not included
5. Hamilton Beach 25600 – 3-in-1 Grill
Photo: Hamilton Beach
- Type: Electric
- Dimensions: 13.9 x 7.2 x 16.9 inches
If you are looking for the best electric bacon cooker, Hamilton Beach’s 25600 is a good option to consider due to a number of reasons.
For starters, it is a 3-in-1 cooker, which can be used as a griddle, indoor grill and of course, as a bacon cooker. That said, the unit opens flat to expose a 100 square foot cooking surface, which is non-stick, removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Below the cooking surface is a pull-out drip tray for collecting fat, and this component is also dishwasher safe for easy maintenance.
Since the whole kit is electric, you get an adjustable temperature control feature using a knob, which goes from 250-400˚F, and this gives you more control over the cooking process. You also get a large handle for raising and lowering the lid.
On the downside, this cooker is very costly and is also quite large, which means you need a large storage space to keep it after use.
Pros:
- 3-in-1 cooker (griddle, grill and bacon cooker)
- Non-stick, removable and dishwasher safe cooking surface
- Dishwasher safe pull-out drip tray
- Adjustable temperature control
- Large handle for raising and lowering the lid
Cons:
- Expensive
- Large in size
6. MSC International Joie Piggy 78416 – Bacon Cooker with Raised Ridges
Photo: MSC International
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 2 inches
This Joie Piggy bacon cooker is characterized by raised ridges inside the tray, which elevate the bacon pieces so that they can be heated evenly inside the microwave, while also allowing the fat to drip away from the meat.
The entire cooker is made using BPA-free plastic, which means it is very safe to use for food and has a 9 x 8-inch cooking surface that can hold 4-5 bacon strips at a time. It is also dishwasher safe for easy maintenance after use.
A lid is included to deal with messy splatters, which ensures your microwave remains clean throughout and has a recessed handle for easy removal.
On the downside, cooking 5 pieces at a time is quite a few and the even though the raised ridges let the fat drip, the tray does not separate the meat from the fat. It only falls a few millimeters below.
Pros:
- Raised ridges for even heat distribution
- BPA-free and dishwasher safe plastic construction
- The included lid prevents messy splatters
- Recessed handle for easy lid removal
Cons:
- Cooks only a maximum of 5 pieces at a time
- Does not separate the fat from the bacon
7. Emson Bacon Wave TRTAZ11A – Stackable Bacon Cooker
Photo: Emson Bacon Wave
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.4 x 2.8 inches
One Emson bacon wave cooker can hold up to 14 pieces, but this unit is stackable, which means you can place one above the other inside your microwave and prepare up to 28 slices at a time.
The unit is able to hold these many pieces because it contains vertical slots that arrange the bacon pieces vertically lengthwise, thereby packing 14 slices in a very small space.
However, to cook up each slice requires a minute, which means in full capacity, you will have to wait for 14 minutes. This is quite a lot of time. On the bright side, you will have many pieces ready.
More features include raised racks on the collection pan for keeping the slices raised to drip off as much fat as possible, and a dishwasher safe plastic design that is very easy to clean. On the downside, no cover is included to prevent fat from splashing inside the microwave.
Pros:
- High 14-piece capacity
- Stackable design so as to prepare up to 28 slices at a time
- Raised racks enable fat to drip off
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Requires quite a lot of time to cook in full capacity
- Cover not included
8. Lekue Microwave Bacon Maker – Bacon Cooker with Deep Drain Grooves
Photo: Lekue
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 11.02 x 9.8 x 2.3 inches
Lekue’s microwave bacon is designed with deep grooves on its cooking surface, which aid in draining away the fat from the meat slices for healthy cooking. Also included is an integrated drain spout, which allows for easy pouring of the collected grease after cooking.
Even though it has a relatively low cooking capacity of up to 6 pieces, the unit takes a lot less time of fewer than 3 minutes to get them ready to eat.
You get a clear lid cover for easy monitoring of the cooking process, while also preventing splattering inside the microwave to minimize on cleanup.
Other features include large and comfortable carry handles, and dishwasher safe, BPA free parts for safety and easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Deep grooves for draining fat
- Integrated drain spout for easily pouring out the grease after cooking
- Takes a short time to cook (less than 3 minutes)
- Clear lid cover prevents splattering and makes it easy to monitor the cooking
- Dishwasher safe, BPA-free parts
Cons:
- Low capacity. Only cooks 6 slices at a time
9. Nordic Ware 60109 – Cheapest Bacon Cooker
Photo: Nordic Ware
- Type: Microwave
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 10.25 x 8 x 2 inches
Completing this list is this affordable cooker from Nordic Ware, which consists of a BPA and melamine free plastic construction for safety purposes, and is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
The cooker’s tray is lined with several racks that aid in keeping the bacon slices elevated so that fat can drip off while the included vented cover allows steam to escape and prevents splattering.
On the downside, this design has a low cooking capacity (usually not more than 6) and it does not fully separate the bacon from the fat below.
Pros:
- Affordable
- BPA and melamine free plastic construction
- Dishwasher safe
- Racks on the tray suspend the bacon for fat to drip off
- The vented lid prevents splattering and allows steam to escape
Cons:
- Low cooking capacity
- Does not fully separate the bacon from the fat below
How to Buy the Best Bacon Cookers
Photo: Nordic Ware
1. Your Needs
When selecting a bacon cooker, the first and most important factor to consider is your requirements. For instance, if you simply want a unit to prepare breakfast for you and your family, then a small 5 or 6-capacity cookers will do.
However, if you want one that can prepare lots of bacon slices for guests or for a restaurant, then ensure you get one with the largest capacity such as the stackable Emson piece.
2. Microwave or Electric Bacon Cooker
These are the two main types of bacon cookers and each one has its own benefits. Generally, microwave cookers tend to be smaller, have shorter cooking times and produce crispier slices with lower fat content.
On the other hand, electric cookers give you more control over the cooking process due to their adjustable temperature setting, but are larger and take longer to cook. However, most of them are also multi-function, combining features such as a grill, griddle, bacon cooker, etc., in one.
Buying Guide: If you want healthy bacon with reduced fat, microwave cookers are best. However, if you want a multifunction cooker that can double up as an indoor grill, then the electric option is best. Ultimately, your needs should determine the best one for you.
3. Material
Always ensure that the cooking surface material is BPA-free for safety purposes, especially considering that the bacon comes into direct contact with the cooking surface.
Additionally, since microwaving generally affects stability in the long term, ensure that the plastic used in microwave bacon cookers is strong and sturdy for durability purposes.
4. Size and Design
It is important to consider a bacon cooker’s size for two main purposes. First is for storage and the more compact or foldable it is, the better because it will occupy little space.
The second purpose applies to microwave cookers, and you should ensure that the size you want to buy can fit inside your microwave. Ensure you have the internal dimensions of your microwave beforehand so that you pick a size that fits.
As for the design, there are tray style and rack style varieties. If the goal is to drain as much fat as possible, then the vertical rack style is better because the bacon pieces are hung high above the grease tray below, thereby ensuring they are drained off as much as possible.
However, if you want them a bit fatty, then the tray-style cooker should be your go-to option.
5. Ease of Cleaning
No one likes doing the dishes after use. For this reason, ensure that the grease collection pan and cooking surfaces are dishwasher safe so that you can have an easier time doing maintenance.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are quite many options to choose from in the market, and getting a suitable bacon cooker can be quite challenging.
However, the most important things to consider are your cooking requirements and from there, this article will help guide you into picking the best bacon cooker that fits your needs.