Best Microwave Bacon CookerMicrowave Bacon Cooker vs Pan Frying

If you love bacon but would like a healthier way to cook it, then a microwave bacon cooker could be just what you need. Fast and simple to use, with impressive cooking results, microwave bacon cookers are more popular than ever before. 

Our top pick, the OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper has an adjustable kickback so you can cook your bacon just how you like it. It is also dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and features a detachable grease reservoir lid for your safety and convenience. 

Interested to learn more? Read on to find out all you need to know about our favorite microwave bacon cooker picks.

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1OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper

  • 6 strip capacity
  • Adjustable kickstand aids grease drainage
  • Removable silicone tray
  • Folds flat for easy storage
  • Dishwasher safe

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2Presto Bacon Cooker

  • 12 strip capacity
  • Easy to clean
  • Deep drainage tray
  • Racks can be stacked for storage
  • Dishwasher safe

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3Nordic Ware 60109 Bacon Rack

  • 5-6 strip capacity
  • Drainage tray
  • Lid prevents splatters
  • Compact size

1

OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper

If you are looking for the very best microwave bacon cooker, our top pick would be the OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper. This easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe bacon cooker features a removable silicone cooking surface. There’s a detachable reservoir lid to keep hot grease from splashing out that can be easily removed for quick cleaning. This also means that you can fold this model flat for compact storage. Our favorite feature of this model is the adjustable kickback stand, which ensures that the grease drains away during cooking to result in healthier, crispier bacon. If you like it less crispy, simply reduce the gradient to retain more of the fat. 

Due to its compact size and 6 strip capacity, though, you may find that you struggle to get all your bacon slices on if you have a large family. Another drawback of this innovative model is that it is a little on the pricey side for a microwave bacon cooker. It does come with the OXO quality guarantee, though, so should you experience any issues, you can return it for a replacement, repair or refund. This makes it much better value for money than some of the cheaper models out there. 

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Pros

  • Removable easy-clean silicone cooking surface
  • Adjustable kickstand allows you to choose fat drainage level
  • Folds flat for compact storage
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • OXO quality guarantee

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Not enough capacity for families

2

Presto Bacon Cooker

If you are cooking for a family, then we recommend the Presto Bacon Cooker. Its vertical cooking racks allow you to cook up to 12 pieces of bacon at a time. They also ensure that the fat fully drains away from your bacon into the generously sized, deep reservoir for healthier, crisper cooking results. This model is dishwasher-safe and its easy-to-clean design means that there are no little crevices that are difficult to clean. 

With its removable, stackable racks for compact storage, this model is a great all-around choice, especially for larger households. It can be a little trickier to load than flat bacon cookers, but with a little practice it’s not really that difficult. Another slight drawback is that your bacon won’t come out completely flat, although that won’t alter the taste at all.

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Pros

  • Large capacity is perfect for families
  • Deep base for collecting grease
  • Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
  • Stackable racks for compact storage

Cons

  • Can be awkward to load
  • Bacon comes out bent


3

Nordic Ware 60109 Bacon Rack

If you don’t cook bacon that often but you’d still like a faster, healthier, and cleaner way to do so, then check out the Nordic Ware Bacon Rack, our favorite budget pick. 

While this 5-6 strip model does have some durability issues and won’t live up to the needs of regular bacon eaters, it makes a great choice to have in your kitchen for occasional use. Its compact size also makes it nice and easy to store away in the cupboard until you need it.

This model has a transparent lid that will keep your microwave nice and clean throughout the cooking process, avoiding any splatters. Unfortunately, when it comes to cleaning the bacon rack itself, the instructions state not to use in the dishwasher, so you will have to wash it by hand. The grease reservoir is quite shallow, and you may also find that the flat design means the fat drains less well than the other models on our list that use vertical racks or a kickback. Regardless of these issues, for it’s low price it gets the job done while keeping your microwave nice and clean. So, all in all, if you are looking for an inexpensive solution to easy bacon cooking, this rack makes a great choice.

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Pros

  • Splatter-containing lid
  • Compact size
  • Five-year limited warranty

Cons

  • Instructions state not dishwasher-safe
  • Fat doesn’t drain well
  • Can crack with regular use

Comparison Chart

OXO Microwave Bacon CrisperPresto Bacon CookerNordic Ware 60109 Bacon Rack
Dimensions (in)11.2 x 10.4 x 28.9 x 8.2 x 5.410.2 x 8 x 2
Strip Capacity6125-6
Angled Drainage✓✓X
Adjustable Kickstand✓XX
Deep Grease Reservoir✓✓X
LidXX✓
Dishwasher Safe✓✓X
Weight (lbs)1.050.750.96
GuaranteeLifetimeX5-year limited

Buyer’s Guide:

Microwave Bacon Cooker

Microwaving bacon is a great way to enjoy crispier, healthier bacon with a lower fat content. For best results, place as many slices as required (or as the tray will hold) on to your microwave bacon cooker, making sure not to overlap them. Although they will shrink when cooked, overlapping them could cause uneven cooking. 

When using a microwave to cook bacon for the first time, we recommend proceeding with an incremental cooking duration to find the best option for you. Start with a base time of 3 minutes and then check and increase by 30-second intervals until your bacon is cooked to your liking. If your bacon cooker doesn’t have a lid, you may like to cover it with a paper towel, or invest in a microwave food cover to prevent the inside of your microwave from getting dirty. Once ready, remove from the rack and let the strips rest on some paper towels for a minute before serving.

Dimensions 

First of all, be sure to check the dimensions of your chosen product. You’ll want to make sure not only that it will fit easily in your microwave, but also that it can take enough bacon slices for your regular needs. Checking the dimensions of the cooking area will also ensure that you’ll be able to cook your choice of bacon strips whole, without having to squash them up or cut them down to fit. Our comparison chart above includes the dimensions of all the models we have reviewed. 

Adjustable Kickstand

Purchasing a microwave bacon cooker with an adjustable kickstand (like our top pick) is a great way to ensure that you can control the taste, texture, and fat content of your bacon. Simply adjust the kickstand to its steepest for crispier, lower fat bacon, or lower it for slices that are more moist and chewy. 

Dishwasher-safe

Make life easier on yourself and opt for a dishwasher-safe microwave bacon cooker. When done, you can simply stick it in your dishwasher and not have to worry about scrubbing that yucky grease by hand. Both our top pick, the OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper, and the Presto Bacon Cooker are dishwasher-safe. 

Reservoir Depth

A deep reservoir will ensure efficient fat drainage and reduce the risk of grease overflowing into your microwave or spilling over your countertop when you remove it. The OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper and  Presto Bacon Cooker both have generous reservoirs to help prevent any mess during or after cooking. 

Quality Guarantee/Warranty

Keep an eye out for any product guarantees and warranties when making your selection. A manufacturer who stands by their product is always a good sign of a high-quality model. Our top pick, the OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper offers a quality guarantee and free repair, refund or replacement for any issues, while the Nordic Ware 60109 Bacon Rack comes complete with a 5-year limited warranty. 

Product Type PROSCONS
Microwavable Bacon Cooker
  • Fewer calories
  • Lower fat content
  • Much quicker
  • No more grease splattered countertops
  • Extra kitchen gadget may clutter your cupboards
  • Trial and error to get cooking time right
Pan-frying Bacon
  • No need for extra equipment – simply use your existing cookware
  • Higher fat content
  • More calories
  • Grease splatters outside the pan

  • Is microwaved bacon healthier?

  • Yes. Microwaving bacon results in crispier pieces with a lower calorie and fat content. Furthermore, the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety, and Inspection Service also states that bacon cooked by a microwave contains less nitrosamine than fried bacon. Nitrosamines are chemical compounds, the majority of which are carcinogenic. So, cooking your bacon in your microwave can not only save you mess, time and washing up; it’s also better for your waistline and all-round health.

  • How long do microwave bacon cookers last?

  • The lifespan of your microwave bacon cooker depends upon the initial quality of the product and how much you use it. If you tend to eat a lot of bacon, you would be better off spending more on a higher-quality product with a good guarantee, such as our top pick. With average, regular use, you should expect your microwave bacon cooker to last at least two years. Cheaper models, though, may break or crack much sooner than this.

  • Can I cook more than one layer of bacon at a time?

  • Bacon shrinks as it cooks, so while you can certainly squeeze in an extra slice or two, we don’t recommend adding a second layer of bacon to your microwave cooker. Overlapping layers could lead to uneven cooking and hinder the fat drainage process. This may render your bacon inedible, or at the very least chewy and fatty. As microwaving bacon is so quick and easy with a microwave bacon cooker, simply cook your bacon in two separate lots or purchase a model with a greater capacity if required.

Final Thoughts 

Purchasing a microwave bacon cooker is an excellent way to make bacon easier to prepare, with all-around healthier results. 

If you are looking for a great quality microwave bacon cooker that will last, we recommend the OXO Microwave Bacon Crisper. With its quality guarantee, adjustable kickback for efficient fat drainage and ease of cleaning, we think this product is one of the very best bacon cookers on the market. 

On the other hand, if you have a big family, you may prefer to consider the Presto Bacon Cooker. The large capacity means it can cook up to 12 slices in one go; it has a deep reservoir to drain grease; and it can be simply put in the dishwasher after use. 

Alternatively, if you don’t regularly cook bacon but would like to cook it more healthily when you do, check out our budget option by Nordic Ware. While the fat drainage isn’t as good as our other picks, this inexpensive model has enough capacity for 5-6 slices and a plastic lid to help prevent splatters. 

Further Reading

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