What can I use instead of a Bacon Press?

Bacon presses are a staple in every kitchen. They are used to press bacon into perfect slices. However, there are other ways to get perfectly sliced bacon without using a bacon press.

A bacon press is a hefty, flat piece of metal used to keep bacon from curling when cooking. Other bacon presses, on the other hand, are constructed of aluminum or even glass, allowing you to watch your bacon fry as it cooks.

Bacon presses are available in three basic shapes: rectangular, round, and unique. Aside from preventing bacon strips from curling, the bacon press also serves the following functions:

• When frying or grilling boneless meat, flatten it.
• Making cheese and yogurt by pressing out the whey
• Among other things, flattening grilled sandwiches, French toast, and hamburger patties.

Some individuals enjoy their bacon curled, while others do not. A bacon press is a must-have for the latter because it comes in handy while making this delicacy.

There are several different methods that you can use to slice bacon. The first method is to cut the bacon into strips and then place the strips between two sheets of wax paper. Then, roll the wax paper around the bacon until it forms a cylinder shape. Finally, slice the bacon off the wax paper.

Another way to slice bacon is to lay the bacon flat on a cutting board. Then, use a sharp knife to slice the bacon.

Finally, you can also use a food processor to slice bacon. Simply put the bacon in the food processor and pulse until the desired thickness is achieved.

Read Also: Can you use a blender instead of mixer for cheesecake

4 Bacon Press Substitute you can use in your kitchen

During frying, the bacon press is placed on top of the bacon to prevent it from curling. It also flattens the bacon strips and reduces oil splatters from the bacon.

However, there are some alternatives to a bacon press, which are as follows:

Wire racking

If you don’t have a bacon press but still want your bacon strips to be straight and well cooked, this may come in helpful.

First, line your sheet tray with foil to make cleaning easier and transferring the bacon grease that melts for storing easier.

Then, on the lined tray, place a wire rack to keep your bacon from touching the tray’s surface. Arrange the bacon on top of the wire rack in a neat, overlapping pattern.

You may leave your bacon to cook with this setup, or if it’s a little oily and thin, you can place another wire rack on top to keep it from curling.

Chef’s press

These are identical to the bacon press, except that they are smaller. The chef’s press has a smaller size and takes up less room than other bacon presses, making it easier to store.

They are also less difficult to clean and maybe cleaned in a dishwasher. Chef’s presses keep bacon ends from curling, resulting in crispy bacon.

Why You Need a Chef’s Press in Your Kitchen

Because of their shape, certain cuts of meat might be difficult to weigh. Steaks and spatchcocked birds are simple to prepare since their relatively flat surfaces allow for even skillet contact and browning.

A less consistent cut, like a tri-tip roast, is more difficult to deal with. You can easily place a small cast-iron skillet on top of an oblong roast, but you’ll need to use your Jenga skills and focus to keep everything balanced while turning the meat in the pan to brown it evenly on all sides.

This task becomes much easier with a couple Chef’s Press weights. They can be stacked one on top of the other to form a compact but substantial press, or they can be shingled over each other for even weight distribution on long pieces of meat, such as beef tenderloin. The handle makes it easy to pick up the Chef’s Press while moving your protein in the pan.

By weighting down slices of bacon with Chef’s Press weights, you can keep it from curling up.
These weights are also ideal for use as bacon presses, preventing rasher ends from curling up while cooking bacon on the stovetop.

Traditional cast iron bacon presses take up much too much space in my opinion and are often relegated to the back of a high-up cupboard alongside other rarely used kitchen appliances. The Chef’s Press is much easier to store due to its smaller footprint. And, unlike a cast-iron press, it can be washed in the dishwasher after use.

If you want to make sure that all of your bacon pieces have been pressed evenly, try placing them on top of each other before slicing. This will ensure that they cook at the same rate.

You may be wondering how long you should let your bacon sit after being cooked. It’s best to leave it alone once it has cooled down completely. If you need to reheat it later, simply microwave it for 30 seconds.

Griddle Press

This is another excellent substitution for a bacon press. A grill press is often made of metal and is flat. It also includes a handle for flattening the food as it cooks.

In addition to crisping and straightening your bacon, the drill press is an excellent tool for keeping it down and cooking it properly.

It can also be used to flatten irregularly shaped filets and make them seem nice while plating.

Coldwater

Coldwater may also suffice for those who do not have bacon presses. Before cooking your bacon, soak it in ice-cold water for a few minutes. This keeps the bacon from curling while it cooks.
For those who do not have bacon presses, there are various options that work well as substitutes.

As a result, your bacon strips should not get curly or fail to cook correctly as a result of the lack of a bacon press.