Article By: Suraiya Fardous
- April 17, 2023 , Last updated on : November 25, 2023
Cooking bacon is an art, and the tools needed for this art are the utensils. One of the most important tools that will determine the taste of this art is the pan. Additionally, the quality of the pan will also determine how easily you can clean up after the art is complete. That is why, today, we are going to look at the best pan for cooking bacon on the market.
Buying guide for the best pan for cooking bacon
Cooking bacon and cooking fish are not the same. While you can cook them on the same pan, there are specialized pans for each that will enhance their taste and texture. As a result, the best frying pans for fish will be different from the best pans for cooking bacon. For example, you can easily deep fry a bacon strip in a smaller pan, but you will need a bigger pan for deep frying most fish. Here is a buying guide for the best bacon pan.
Compatibility
First and foremost, the pan for cooking bacon that you have in mind needs to be compatible with the stovetop you have in your kitchen. While most pans on the market can be used on gas stoves, not all pans can be used on electric or induction cookers. As a result, you must check the compatibility first.
Material
After you have crossed out all the options that are not compatible with your stove, it is time to check the material used to make the pan. We suggest aluminum pans or pans with stainless steel base for cooking bacon. Additionally, you should also check if the pan has a nonstick coating. Alternatively, you can also go for materials that are naturally nonstick, like granite.
Size
The size of the pan and its price tag are directly proportional, which means the bigger the pan, the more it will cost. However, if budget is not an issue for you, you can go for a bigger pan since it can hold more ingredients. Also, keep in mind that the bigger the pan, the more it will weigh.
There are different types and qualities of pans available on the market. Some of the most popular bacon cooking pans are fry pans, griddle pans, and skillets. To help you come to a decision, we have reviewed the best pans for cooking bacon based on personal experience and user reviews.
List of the best pan for cooking bacon
SENSARTE Chef’s Pan
CAROTE Frying Pan
Lodge L8SGP3
MICHELANGELO Pan with Lid
ESLITE LIFE Grill Pan
GreenLife Griddle Pan
OXO Griddle Pan
cuisinel Grill Pan
Cooks Standard Square Grill Pan
Bruntmor Grill Pan
Sakuchi Grill Pan
SENSARTE Chef’s Pan
Material: Cast aluminum interior with stainless steel base
Compatibility: Gas, magnetic, induction
The SENSARTE Chef’s Pan is the best frying pan for bacon because of its excellent Swiss nonstick coating that is free from toxins. As a result, it is not only healthy but also allows you to cook without needing too much oil. Additionally, the nonstick coating ensures the pan can be cleaned easily after cooking.
Besides the nonstick coating, SENSARTE Chef’s Pan also has an excellent woodgrain-designed handle that is comfortable to hold. Additionally, it does not get hot when you are cooking bacon, so you can easily hold it. Lastly, it can be used on any stovetop and can be cleaned in dishwashers as well.
Pros:
Excellent nonstick coating
Comfortable and safe-to-use handle
Versatile compatibility
Easy to clean
Cons:
No option for a glass lid
The biggest drawback of the SENSARTE Chef’s Pan is that it does not have an option for a glass lid. However, since we are looking for a pan for cooking bacon and you do not need a lid for that. Other than that, its excellent nonstick coating makes it the best pan for cooking bacon.
If you are looking for the best bacon frying pan but do not have the budget for something like the SENSARTE Chef’s Pan, the CAROTE Frying Pan is your next best option. It has all the great features and also includes a lid. So, if you are cooking for a lot of people, you can use the lid to quickly ready more bacon.
The CAROTE Frying Pan has a top-level granite nonstick material free from harmful toxins. Additionally, you can reduce fat intake because the pan allows you to cook your bacon with less oil. Furthermore, less oil creates less smoke when cooking, which is good for your lungs in the long run.
Pros:
Includes lid
Toxin-free material
Requires less oil
Creates less smoke
Cons:
The handle could be sturdier
The CAROTE Frying Pan is more affordable because it had to sacrifice a bit on durability. Other than that, it is still one of the best pans for cooking bacon because of its extraordinary features and the inclusion of a glass lid.
Cast iron is one of the best materials for bacon frying pans. The Lodge L8SGP3 is made from cast iron, which makes it one of the best bacon skillets. Thanks to the strong material, you can use it on hot ovens and outdoor campfires as well.
You can cook bacon in a variety of ways with the Lodge L8SGP3, including broil, braising, frying, searing, sauté, and baking. Cooking on a cast iron bacon pan is easier because of its unparalleled heat retention. Additionally, you can cook bacon in this skillet for a long time because of its outstanding durability.
Pros:
Versatile cooking options
Unparalleled heat retention
Preseasoned with vegetable oil
Very durable
Cons:
Handle gets hot
The only issue with the Lodge L8SGP3 is that the handle is also made from cast iron and directly connected to the pan. As a result, it also gets hot, and you need a cloth to hold it when cooking. Other than that, its excellent heat conduction, combined with its versatility, makes it the best pan for cooking bacon.
Material: Copper body with Titanium Ceramic nonstick coating
Compatibility: Oven, gas, electric, induction
If you are a beginner, you should get the MICHELANGELO Pan with Lid because of its lightweight and convenient design. Besides that, it also has a scratch-resistant nonstick design that allows you to use metal utensils on it. Additionally, you can follow your recipes by the book because it allows precise temperature control.
Pros:
Scratch resistant nonstick
Allows precise temperature control
Convenient design
Cons:
Discolors with prolonged usage
While the MICHELANGELO Pan with Lid has a beautiful copper-colored interior, it can easily get discolored with prolonged usage. However, you can prevent this from happening by maintaining it properly. Other than that, if you are looking for something beginner-friendly, it is the best pan for cooking bacon you can get.
Material: Cast aluminum with granite nonstick coating
Compatibility: Gas, electric, induction
The ESLITE LIFE Grill Pan has this unique ridges design with a granite nonstick coating that lets you cook bacon easily using less oil. Additionally, you do not need to preheat it because of its superior heat conduction. Lastly, since it is made from cast aluminum, it does not wrap even when used in high heat.
Pros:
Unique ridged design
Does not wrap
Preheating is not required
Cons:
Hard to clean
Its outstanding durability and superior heat conduction make the ESLITE LIFE Grill Pan one of the best pans for cooking bacon. While the ridges on the pan help you cook bacon easily, it also makes the pan harder to clean since it is not dishwasher safe. If you cook a lot of bacon throughout the day, instead of cleaning it every time, you can clean it once at the end of the day.
The GreenLife Griddle Pan is free from toxic materials like lead, cadmium, PFAS, and PFOA. Additionally, it is one of the best pans for cooking bacon in the oven because of its soft grip handle that does not get hot. Furthermore, it is dishwasher safe. You can easily clean it with soap and water if you do not own a dishwasher.
Pros:
Toxin-free material
Comfortable soft grip handle
Easy to clean
Cons:
Not compatible with induction cookers
The only drawback of the GreenLife Griddle Pan is that it is not compatible with induction cookers. However, if you want an oven-safe pan and have no plans to use it on an induction cooker anyways, it is the best pan for cooking bacon.
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum body with stainless steel handle
Compatibility: Gas, electric, oven
The OXO Griddle Pan has a hard-anodized aluminum body, which gives it a scratch-resistant surface. Additionally, the material also gives it superior heat conduction, so you can cook your bacon quickly without any issues. Furthermore, it has low walls that increase cooking space and make it easier to flip the bacon.
Pros:
Scratch-resistant surface
Easier to flip bacon
Better heat conduction
Cons:
Wraps at high temperature
The OXO Griddle Pan is one of the best pans for cooking bacon that you can get. However, the biggest drawback of this pan is that it cannot handle temperatures above 220°C, at which point it starts to warp. However, if you do not have any plans to use the pan at that temperature, then you can go for it.
If you are a professional or a seasoned home cook, you should go for the cuisinel Grill Pan. Beginners can also try their luck with this because they provide a detailed instruction manual about how to use cast iron grill pans. They also provide a tempered glass lid that will not crack even at very high temperatures.
Pros:
Tempered glass lid provided
Enhances flavor
Detailed instruction manual provided
Cons:
Hard to maintain
The biggest drawback of any cast iron grill pan is that they are very hard to maintain. You need to wash the cuisinel Grill Pan after each time you use it, completely dry it on medium heat, and season it with natural oil before storing it. However, if maintenance is not an issue for you, its advanced features make it the best pan for cooking bacon.
If you hate it when some of your bacon strips are burned while some are undercooked, the Cooks Standard Square Grill Pan will be your next best friend. It distributes heat evenly so that you can cook each bacon perfectly. Additionally, it is very easy to clean after you are done cooking. You can chug it in your dishwasher if you have one.
Pros:
Distributes heat evenly
Easy to clean
Durable stainless steel handle
Cons:
Can create a lot of smoke
The Cooks Standard Square Grill Pan is one of the best pans for cooking bacon you can buy. The only drawback it has is that it can produce a lot of smoke because it melts the fat off bacon effectively, which can give a false alarm of burning your bacon. However, know that it is only the fat melting.
If you hate cleaning, drying, and seasoning your cast iron pots and pans after cooking, the Bruntmor Grill Pan will be perfect for you. Cooking bacon on a cast iron skillet has never been easier, thanks to this pan. Additionally, it is preseasoned with oil, so your bacon will taste better the more you cook on it.
Pros:
Superior heat retention
Versatile options for cooking
Preseasoned with oil
Cons:
Very heavy
The Bruntmor Grill Pan is very heavy, clocking in at about 9.33 pounds. On top of that, if you put too much bacon on it, it might get too heavy for one person. If you do not have a problem with that, it is one of the best cast iron pans you can get for cooking bacon.
Material: Aluminum body with nonstick granite coating
Compatibility: Gas, electric, induction
The Sakuchi Grill Pan has parallel ridges that increase oxygen contact with the bacon by 50%. Additionally, if you are making a broth or curry, the functional pouring spouts will ensure you can remove the liquid easily. Lastly, the nonstick granite coating will ensure you can cook the bacon with less oil.
Pros:
Ridges increase oxygen contact with bacon
Functional pouring spouts
Requires less oil
Cons:
Handle becomes wobbly
While the Sakuchi Grill Pan is a great pan with some outstanding features that make it one of the best for cooking bacon in a pan, it comes last on our list because of its wobbly handle. However, you can replace the screws on it to make it studier. Alternatively, you can tighten the existing screw if you do not want to replace it.
The best pan for cooking bacon will depend on your specific requirements. For example, if you are a professional cook looking for a cast iron skillet, go for the Lodge L8SGP3. Alternatively, if you are just starting out but still want a cast iron skillet, go for the cuisinel Grill Pan. If you liked this list, check out our top picks of the best pans for searing steakand pans for gas stoves.
