Tiffany Haney
Cooking bacon on a griddle pan is a convenient way to cook a large batch of bacon at once, without dirtying multiple skillets or baking trays. It is also a great way to keep the bacon smell outside, as opposed to frying pans which can cause a lingering grease smell inside your kitchen. Griddle pans are typically made of cast iron and are placed on a grill. They are preheated to 400 °F, and then the bacon is placed on the griddle. The strips are cooked for 3-5 minutes on each side, and the desired crispiness is achieved by adjusting the cooking time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advantages | Keeps the bacon smell outside, easy to clean, can cook a large batch at once, easy to cook, can cook other foods at the same time |
| Disadvantages | Risk of cross-contamination, risk of losing or contaminating bacon grease, messy |
| Grill temperature | 400 °F |
| Grill time | 3-5 minutes on each side, depending on the crispness |
| Grill tools | Spatula, griddle press, tongs, scraper, paper towels |
| Grill preparation | Separate each slice of bacon, pile them on a plate or baking sheet, preheat the griddle |
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What You'll Learn
Griddle type: cast iron, reversible, or disposable foil
You can definitely cook bacon on a griddle pan and there are a few types of griddle pans to choose from. Each type has its own unique features and benefits.
Cast Iron Griddle Pan
Cast iron griddle pans are a traditional option for cooking bacon. They offer even heating and can retain heat effectively. Cast iron pans are durable and long-lasting, but they require proper seasoning and maintenance to prevent rusting and sticking. These pans usually need to be hand-washed and dried thoroughly after each use.
Reversible Griddle Pan
Reversible griddle pans, like the Ecolution 19.5" x 11" Grill/Griddle Pan, offer a two-in-one cooking experience. One side of the pan has ridges, making it ideal for grilling foods like steaks, chicken, or vegetables. The other side is flat, perfect for cooking bacon, pancakes, eggs, and sandwiches. Reversible griddle pans are often made from cast aluminum, which provides even heating and superior heat conductivity. Additionally, they are non-stick and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and easy.
Disposable Foil Griddle Pan
For a more unconventional approach, you can create a disposable foil griddle pan. This method involves using heavy-duty foil to create a makeshift pan with ridges. First, unroll enough foil to accommodate the desired number of bacon strips, adding extra length for the walls of the pan. Then, create ridges in the foil to elevate the bacon and allow the fat to flow freely. Finally, lay the bacon strips perpendicular to the ridges and bake in the oven. This approach offers a convenient and mess-free way to cook bacon, as the foil pan can be discarded after use.
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Griddle temperature: 400 °F for crispy bacon
Griddle pans are a great way to cook bacon, and cooking bacon on a griddle pan has several benefits. For one, it keeps the bacon smell outside, so you don't have to deal with the lingering grease smell inside your kitchen. Additionally, griddles allow you to cook a large batch of bacon at once, so you don't have to cook in batches or dirty multiple skillets or sheet trays.
To cook bacon on a griddle, you'll need two things: bacon and a griddle spatula. You can use any type of bacon you like, such as thick-cut, center-cut, turkey bacon, or even homemade bacon. The griddle spatula is used to flip the bacon, and it's recommended to have two spatulas if you plan on cooking other griddle recipes.
Now, let's talk about the griddle temperature for crispy bacon. While there is no exact temperature, a range of 375 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit is generally recommended for cooking bacon on a griddle. Specifically, for crispy bacon, a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. This temperature range ensures that the fat renders properly and the bacon cooks through without burning.
When cooking bacon on a griddle, it's important to separate each slice and pile them neatly on a plate or baking sheet before placing them on the griddle. This helps the bacon cook evenly and ensures that you don't end up with overlapping slices, which can cause uneven cooking or soggy spots. Place the bacon strips flat on the griddle, leaving a little space between each strip for heat to circulate.
For crispy bacon, you can cook the bacon undisturbed for about 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Thick-cut bacon will likely need a longer cooking time, around 7-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the bacon, and if it's cooking too fast or turning dark brown or black, lower the griddle temperature slightly.
Once the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes, as it will continue to crisp up during this time. Finally, tilt the griddle and pour the excess grease into a heat-safe container to cool before discarding or storing it for later use.
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$63.96 $79.99
Cooking time: 3-5 minutes on each side
Cooking bacon on a griddle pan is a great way to fry bacon in bulk. It is also a good way to avoid the bacon strips sticking together, which can happen in a frying pan.
To cook bacon on a griddle, first, separate each slice of bacon and pile them on a plate or baking sheet. Then, lay the bacon strips on the griddle, ensuring they do not overlap and that there is enough space to flip them with a spatula. You can cook bacon on the first side for around 3-5 minutes, or until the bacon is halfway cooked. The cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your bacon and the thickness of the bacon strips.
After 3-5 minutes, flip the bacon to the second side and continue cooking until done to your liking. You may need to move the bacon strips around the griddle so they cook evenly. For example, you might need to move the pieces that were on the outer edges to the hotter center of the griddle. You can tell the bacon is cooked when the fatty white parts become translucent and the strips are no longer pink.
Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess grease.
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Cooking tools: spatulas, tongs, scraper, and paper towels
When it comes to cooking bacon on a griddle pan, there are several tools that can make the process easier and help you achieve the perfect bacon. Here are some essential tools to consider:
Spatulas: A spatula is a versatile tool for cooking bacon on a griddle pan. It can be used to gently press down on the bacon to encourage browning without drying it out by forcing out the fat. When cooking a large batch of bacon, a big spatula can be useful for flipping multiple slices at once. Additionally, a spatula can be used for scraping the griddle pan clean after cooking. Choose a BBQ spatula or a griddle spatula designed for high temperatures.
Tongs: Tongs are another essential tool when cooking bacon. They are particularly useful for flipping individual slices of bacon or a smaller number of slices. They provide more control than a spatula when flipping and help prevent hot grease splatters. Look for tongs that are comfortable to hold and have a secure grip.
Scraper: A scraper, also known as a bench scraper, is useful for removing excess bacon grease and bits from the griddle after cooking. It helps to scrape up the grease and food debris, making cleanup easier. Some griddle sets include a scraper designed specifically for this purpose.
Paper Towels: Paper towels are a must-have for cooking bacon on a griddle pan. They are used to line plates or trays to absorb excess grease from the cooked bacon. Placing the bacon on paper towels helps to drain the grease and prevent sogginess. Additionally, paper towels can be used to wipe down the griddle after cooking, absorbing any remaining grease.
By having these tools on hand, you'll be well-equipped to cook bacon on your griddle pan and achieve the desired level of crispness and flavour.
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Cleaning: scrape grease, wipe with paper towels, no soap needed
Cooking bacon on a griddle pan is a great way to keep the grease smell outside. It's also a good way to cook a large batch of bacon at once, without dirtying multiple skillets or baking trays.
When it comes to cleaning your griddle after cooking bacon, the process is simple:
Firstly, use a bench scraper or a spatula to gently scrape away any excess grease and food debris. You can then wipe the surface with paper towels. As long as your griddle is well-seasoned, you don't need to use soap. In fact, bacon grease can help to season your griddle, so it's beneficial to leave a base layer of seasoning.
Some people like to use paper towels to absorb the grease from the cooked bacon, placing the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. However, you can also use a cut-up brown paper bag or newspaper.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking bacon on a griddle pan keeps the bacon smell outside, allows you to cook a large batch of bacon at once, and makes for an easy clean-up.
Separate each slice of bacon and pile them on a plate or baking sheet. Lay the bacon strips so they are not overlapping and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, flipping once or twice to get the desired crispiness.
You will need a griddle spatula to flip your bacon, a bench scraper, and paper towels to wipe away excess grease.
