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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The best microwave bacon cooker is the one that fits your microwave, holds the batch you want to cook without overlapping strips, and is manageable to handle and clean. Purpose-built options range from upright racks that drain grease into a tray to compact, ridged, or covered trays. Manufacturer instructions offer useful starting times, but they do not establish a universal winner or guarantee crispness across microwaves and bacon types.
Which microwave bacon cooker design suits your kitchen?
Compare the shape and handling of the cooker before choosing one. The main trade-off is between a raised rack that lets grease collect below and a lower-profile tray that may be easier to fit into a small microwave.
| Design and example | Strip arrangement and grease | Fit and splatter | Care and handling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright rack and drip tray Presto PowerCrisp |
Three racks sit in a drip tray. Prestoโs manual says each rack holds three to four slices, depending on strip width; do not overlap them. | Check the full cooker footprint against the microwave cavity and turntable. No lid is specified on the product page. | Presto permits hand washing or dishwasher cleaning on the rack farthest from the heating element. The cooker and drippings can be hot. |
| Compact ridged rack Nordic Ware Compact Bacon Rack |
The raised surface lets grease drain away from the bacon into the tray. Arrange strips without overlap. | Listed interior dimensions are 8.8 by 7.6 inches. Use them as a fit check, and confirm the entire item and turntable clearance before buying. | Product instructions recommend hand washing and do not recommend dishwasher use. |
| Covered compact tray Nordic Ware Compact Bacon Tray with Lid |
A covered-tray format adds a vented lid intended to contain splatter. | Check the tray and lid dimensions against the microwave. Steam may escape when opening. | The manufacturer warns that both tray and lid get hot. Follow the productโs handling and care instructions. |
| Slanted tray Nordic Ware Large Slanted Bacon Tray and Food Defroster |
The product is also listed for food defrosting. | Its listed format is large, so confirm the footprint and turntable clearance for your microwave. | Hand wash. Do not use on a stovetop or under a broiler. |
These are manufacturer descriptions and instructions, not independent comparative test results. They do not show that one design cooks faster or produces crispier bacon than another.
How to check microwave fit and usable capacity
- Measure the microwave interior. Check the available floor space and height, including room for any lid. Compare those measurements with the cookerโs full exterior dimensions; for the Compact Bacon Rack, Nordic Ware lists interior dimensions of 8.8 by 7.6 inches, not a complete exterior footprint.
- Check turntable clearance. If your microwave has a turntable, make sure the cooker can sit centered and rotate without touching the walls. Prestoโs manual directs users to place its cooker in the microwave center.
- Match the capacity to your batch. Count strips and consider their width. Prestoโs stated three to four slices per rack depends on slice width, and its manual says not to overlap bacon. Nordic Wareโs compact directions also call for strips laid without overlap.
- Consider loading and lifting. A multi-rack cooker, a tray, and a lidded tray have different shapes to move while hot. Leave enough clear space to lift the item safely and set it down.
Fit is a practical concern, not just a specification: a customer review on Nordic Wareโs Compact Bacon Rack page describes getting a new microwave that would not fit a larger Nordic Ware bacon cooker. That single review illustrates why checking measurements matters; it does not establish that large cookers generally fail to fit.
#1 Best Overall
- Microwave Bacon Cooking Method: Cooks bacon in minutes above the fat, not in it, allowing grease to drip away during cooking
- Reduced Fat Content: Reduces fat up to 35% compared to skillet-prepared bacon by allowing excess grease to drain away
- Easy Clean-Up Design: A paper towel draped over bacon strips controls splatter during cooking for minimal mess
- Dishwasher Safe Construction: Convenient cleaning with dishwasher safe materials for hassle-free maintenance after use
- Compact Storage Design: Easy to take apart and neatly store away with drip bars that nest in the dish and secure with storage tab
How long should bacon cook in a microwave bacon cooker?
Use the directions for the exact model rather than combining different makersโ timings into one timer. Both manufacturers say cooking time varies with the microwave; Presto also identifies bacon type, thickness, and fat content as variables.
- Presto PowerCrisp: The manual says to allow at least 40 seconds per slice and gives an actual cooking range of 40 to 90 seconds per slice, depending on the microwave and bacon. Follow the manual for your cooker, stay nearby, and check the bacon rather than treating the range as a guarantee.
- Nordic Ware Compact Bacon Rack: Its instructions say to cook on high for one minute per piece, then add 30-second intervals until completely cooked. The manufacturer notes that time varies by microwave.
- Nordic Ware covered tray: Follow the directions supplied for that tray; do not assume that the Compact Bacon Rackโs timing applies to it.
How to handle hot cookers, grease, and steam
Hot cookware, rendered grease, and escaping steam can burn. Prestoโs safety instructions say, โUse caution when touching bacon cooker when it contains hot drippings.โ Use caution when removing a cooker, keep hands and face clear when opening a vented lid, and use heat-resistant pot holders or oven mitts if needed. Follow the handling instructions supplied with the specific product.
Rank #2
- Make magic in your microwave with this durable and functional tray, which is BPA and melamine free
- The ribbed surface elevates bacon above grease while cooking and the lid keeps spatters contained
- Ideal for bacon, sausage and more
- Before initial use and after subsequent uses, hand wash with warm, soapy water. Not recommended for dishwasher use.
- Made in USA
How should you clean a microwave bacon cooker?
Care guidance differs by model, so use the product instructions rather than assuming every microwave cooker is dishwasher-safe.
- Presto PowerCrisp: Wash in hot, soapy water or use the dishwasher rack farthest from the heating element, as directed in the Presto instruction manual.
- Nordic Ware Compact Bacon Rack: The product instructions recommend hand washing and say dishwasher use is not recommended.
- Other Nordic Ware microwave products: Check the individual product directions and Nordic Wareโs microwave use-and-care guidance; do not transfer another modelโs care rules to your cooker.
What should you choose?
- Choose an upright rack and drip tray if the multi-rack layout suits your batch and you have room for its footprint.
- Choose a compact ridged rack if a smaller interior measurement is useful and you want bacon elevated above collected grease.
- Consider a covered tray if splatter containment matters, while accounting for hot surfaces and steam when opening.
- Consider a slanted tray if its larger format fits your microwave and its defrosting use is relevant to you.
For more manufacturer-listed formats, Nordic Wareโs bacon racks category shows additional designs. Compare dimensions, arrangement, lid, and care instructionsโnot an unsupported performance ranking.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Borosilicate Glass Heat-resistant 842โ, silicone lid 445โ.Glass skewers replacements, search by ASIN-B0GHQ461L7
- Transparent Glass Jar: You can check the bacon crispy at any time, and 4pcs glass skewer with silicone stoppers on both sides , easier to put in and take out the bacon
- Goodbye Grease Spatter: Silicone lid, bacon grease splash-free, built-in a leaky spout, easy to pour out bacon grease
- Multipurpose: 3.5oz Corn for 5-6mins, also good choice for heating ramen, soup, as well as any food that is safe in a microwave
- Easy To Clean: Just put bacon cooker in the dishwasher or hand wash it with soap and warm water, the shine glass jar come back
Rank #4
- ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ - ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฑ: The Ceramic Bacon Tray with Lid delivers evenly cooked, crispy bacon every time. The raised ridges on the Bacon Rack allow fat to drain away, leaving your bacon crispy and delicious. Ideal for any bacon lover
- ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ - ๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ: This 11 inch round Bacon Baking Rack is safe for Microwave, Oven, and Dishwasher(DO NOT put the lid in the dishwasher). Use it as a Bacon Dish, Meat Rack, or even a Bacon Plate for serving right from the rack
- ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ - ๐ฆ๐๐๐น๐ถ๐๐ต & ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด-๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด: Crafted from high-quality white Ceramic, this Bacon Maker not only looks great but resists stains and odors. It's a sturdy Baking Rack you can rely on for years to come
- ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ - ๐ค๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ & ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด: The included cover keeps splatter contained while cooking. IMPORTANT: Keep lid under 100ยฐC (212ยฐF) for less than 5 minutes to avoid deformation
- ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด - ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ: After enjoying your bacon, simply place the Ceramic Bacon Tray, Bacon Rack in the dishwasher for effortless cleanup. No more greasy messes or scrubbing. The lid should be hand washed only and is not recommended for dishwasher use
Rank #3
- Large size microwaveable bacon tray: Quickly cook your bacon with the PrepSolutions Microwavable Bacon Grill. The large size tray fits between 7 and 9 pieces of bacon and cooks crispy bacon for your enjoyment. The tray measures 11.88" x 10.00" x 1.88".
- Keep your microwave clean with the anti-splatter cover: The vented cover prevents grease from splattering, keeping your microwave clean during cooking. The recessed handle on the cover helps to easily lift the lid on and off.
- Perfect fit for all home kitchens: Perfect for apartment living and home kitchens, the microwave bacon cooker provides a quick alternative to frying or baking bacon by cooking bacon strips in the microwave rather than standing over a stove. Provide breakfast for the whole family or even a crispy burger topping for lunch or dinner in minutes.
- Provides crispy and healthier results: This kitchen appliance provides healthier results for those looking to find better-for-you options. The grooved tray provides spaces for grease to drip away from the bacon leaving crispy and less fatty bacon.
- Dishwasher safe for easy clean-up: Clean up is even quicker with this tray. It's dishwasher safe and BPA Free for your convenience.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.




