If You Ever Cook Steak or Bacon in a Pan, You’ll Want one of These

I do know I stated I would by no means once more cook dinner bacon in a frying pan, since making it an oven — notably a countertop oven — is less complicated and cleaner and takes roughly the identical period of time. But when I had been to cook dinner bacon on a stovetop in, say, my new favourite chrome steel skillet or cast-iron pan, I would not do it with out the assistance of a splatter guard. This easy but efficient gadget retains your range clear once you’re cooking something susceptible to grease pops or saucy spillovers resembling bacon, steaks, purple sauce and stir-fries. 

Whereas the idea of a splatter guard is not completely new, I discovered a brand new mannequin referred to as the SplatterDom ($40 on Amazon) with an up to date design and some sensible options that make it simpler and simpler to make use of. That is all to say, these ain’t your grandma’s splatter guards.

Fry guards, or referred to as splatter guards, are merely rubber partitions of safety round your frying pan. When a fatty steak or slab of bacon hits the floor and begins scorching, the partitions catch any splatter leaving you with a clear stovetop floor and one fewer chore to do when dinner is finished. 

Learn extra: Find out how to Clear Your Kitchen in 15 Minutes or Much less: Ideas That Really Work

Sounds easy sufficient, proper? Now the actual query is, how did it take me so lengthy to find the fantastic thing about the splatter guard? As somebody who loathes lifting these heavy cast-iron grates to scrub a greasy range after cooking, I am making the SplatterDom is a particular mainstay in my kitchen. 

The SplatterDom is a better splatter guard

There are just a few forms of splatter guards, together with easy, conical fashions with openings on high and backside and no cowl. There are additionally display screen splatter guards that look lots like stubby badminton rackets, however these block you from touching meals and once you raise them, you are additionally opening your range as much as splatter, which sort of defeats the aim. 

The SplatterDom, which I examined and suggest, is adjustable with an open high and a detachable lid. I appreciated the open high because it permits one to flip and maneuver meals contained in the pan whereas cooking with out having to raise the splatter guard itself. The accordion-like adjustability allows you to increase or decrease the partitions relying on what you are making and the way a lot splatter you anticipate. For a fast sautè of greens in oil, you most likely do not want the partitions up greater than the bottom setting. However for bacon or a fatty ribeye steak, you may need these rubber partitions in full pressure. Cowl the highest and you’ll fully tame the grease pops and luxuriate in your spoils and not using a mess. 

The SplatterDom has an 8-inch opening on one aspect and a 10-inch opening on the opposite so you possibly can flip it to suit the 2 hottest sizes for frying pans and different stovetop cookware. However the 8-inch lid solely matches snugly once you’re utilizing it on a pot or pan with a 10-inch floor diameter. SplatterDom additionally provides a bigger measurement to accommodate 10- and 12-inch pans. It is produced from 100% food-grade silicone and might stand up to temperatures as much as 450 Fahrenheit.

Do splatter guards work?

Sure, and really nicely I discovered. I cooked a number of historically messy frying pan meals utilizing the SplatterDom. Whereas deciding the mandatory peak to boost the partitions had a studying curve, as soon as I obtained the cling of it, I prevented any and all splatter from reaching the vary. I haven’t got a dishwasher, so it did lead to yet another factor at hand wash after. However in case you do have a built-in dishwasher, the SplatterDom and most different splatter guards are fully dishwasher-safe. 

Is the SplatterDom price $40?

This new splatter guard is dearer than most. Whereas the opposite varieties I’ve tried work OK, I would just as quickly pony up the additional dough for this superior mannequin. It is constructed powerful and works nicely. You do not have to carry it whilst you use it and the tight-fitting cowl provides you full safety from grease grenades. It is also straightforward to scrub by hand or within the dishwasher and can prevent a whole lot of grief after frying a batch of bacon or ribeyes. 

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