A microwave bacon tray raises the strips above their own grease on ridges or bars, so the fat runs off into a channel instead of pooling. It’s fast and it spares you the skillet, though the bacon won’t be the same as pan-fried or oven-baked. Reviewers are often split on these, sometimes about the same product, so we’ve tried to show both sides.
This guide covers seven trays and racks. We have not used them. We read The Rational Kitchen and Your Best Digs, which both cooked bacon in many of these, and we name where they disagree. If you have more than a few slices to make, see our baking sheet for bacon guide, since the oven handles a pound better.
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Quick verdict: which microwave bacon tray to buy
For a small batch with a lid, buy the Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid, the covered version of a compact rack that The Rational Kitchen liked. For larger batches, the Makin Bacon stands strips up on bars, though reviewers split on it. For a bigger ridged tray, look at the Prep Solutions Bacon Grill.
Five bacon trays side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of breakfast. All seven are covered in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Style | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with LidBest overall
|
A small batch with a lid | Ribbed tray with lid | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon DishBest for larger batches
|
Larger batches | Hanging rack | Not stated; nine slices in one review | View on Amazon |
Prep Solutions Microwave Bacon GrillBest large tray
|
A wide tray that catches spatter | Grooved tray with vented cover | 7 to 9 pieces | View on Amazon |
Fox Run Microwave Bacon RackBest simple tray
|
A plain tray with a fat reservoir | Ridged tray | 4 to 6 pieces | View on Amazon |
GoodCook Everyday Microwave Grill, 10-InchBest heat limit
|
Sausages and hot dogs too | Ridged tray | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best microwave bacon tray
1. Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid – A Covered Compact Rack
This is a ribbed plastic tray with a lid that keeps spatter off the oven walls. It measures 10.25 by 8 by 2 inches, which should fit most ovens, and Nordic Ware says it’s for bacon, sausage and more. It’s made in the USA, free of BPA and melamine, and carries a 5-year warranty.
The Rational Kitchen named Nordic Ware’s compact rack its best tray-style cooker, saying it made crispy, fairly even bacon. It also said the rack fits just 4 to 6 strips and has small handles. This listing is the lidded version, so what it found may not transfer exactly. Your Best Digs liked a different Nordic Ware lidded grill for keeping the microwave clean.
One care note: Nordic Ware says to hand wash this one, and doesn’t recommend the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Lid contains spatter
- Compact size
- 5-year warranty
- Made in USA
Key specifications
| Model | 60109 |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA- and melamine-free plastic |
| Capacity | Not stated; about 4 to 6 strips on the compact rack |
| Size | 10.25 x 8 x 2 in. |
| Lid | Yes |
| Dishwasher | No, hand wash |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Why we recommend it
Suits a person or couple making a few slices at a time, and anyone who wants to avoid wiping the microwave down.
Skip it if you cook a lot of bacon or want to use the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clean microwave
- Compact
- Long warranty
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Small batch
2. Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Dish – Hangs the Strips Over the Fat
Makin Bacon takes a different approach. Instead of laying flat on ridges, strips hang over bars so the grease drips into the dish below. You drape a paper towel over them to control spatter. The bars come apart and nest in the dish for storage, and it’s molded in the USA from BPA-free, high-heat plastic.
The reviews split sharply here. The Rational Kitchen called it some of the best microwave bacon of the models it cooked, and named it best for large batches. It also said it isn’t long enough for a full slice, and that some users complained about melting. Your Best Digs was far cooler, saying nine slices took six minutes with half crisp and half rubbery, and that it seemed cheaply made.
The maker says it reduces fat by up to 35 percent compared with a skillet. We can’t confirm that figure, so don’t buy it for that.
Why we like it
- Grease drips into the dish
- Comes apart for storage
- Molded in the USA
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | MB |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free, high-heat plastic |
| Capacity | Not stated; nine slices in one review |
| Size | 9.2 x 8.8 x 1.6 in. |
| Lid | None; use a paper towel |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | USA, molded |
| Warranty | Limited |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone cooking a larger amount of bacon in one go who doesn’t mind cutting long strips to fit and some experimenting with timing.
Skip it if you want even results without experimenting. One reviewer found half the slices came out rubbery.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Larger batch
- Clever storage
- Fat drains well
Cons
- Reviews conflict
- Long strips may not fit
- Needs paper towels
3. Prep Solutions Microwave Bacon Grill – A Large Tray With a Vented Cover
This is the largest tray of the group, at 11.88 by 10 by 1.88 inches, and it holds 7 to 9 pieces. The grooves let grease drain, and a vented cover with a recessed handle keeps spatter down. It’s BPA free and dishwasher safe, and Progressive backs it with a one-year limited warranty.
The Rational Kitchen said it has ridges deep enough to drain away grease, but also noted that the lid can leave bacon soggy, and that some users reported a chemical smell. Try cooking without the cover or vent it well if the first batch isn’t crisp, and wash it well before first use.
Check the 11.88-inch length against your oven. It’s a lot of tray for a compact microwave.
Why we like it
- Fits 7 to 9 pieces
- Vented splatter cover
- Dishwasher safe
- 1-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | PS-66LID |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Capacity | 7 to 9 pieces |
| Size | 11.88 x 10 x 1.88 in. |
| Lid | Yes, vented |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Suits a family with a full-size microwave that wants enough for everyone at once on a single tray.
Skip it if you want crisp bacon every time with the lid on, since that review found it could turn soggy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity
- Clean microwave
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Bacon can be soggy under the lid
- Some users reported a smell
- Large
4. Nordic Ware Bacon Tray and Food Defroster – A Slanted Tray for Long Strips
This large tray is slanted so that grease and moisture run away from the food, and it also doubles as a defroster. It’s about 12 by 11 inches and made in the USA, with a 5-year warranty. Nordic Ware says not to use it under a broiler or on stovetop burners.
Its size is the catch. Your Best Digs rated this model not recommended, because it was too long to use in its standard microwave. If your oven is large and the turntable can spin something this size, it gives you long strips laid out flat. If not, the compact rack above is the safer buy.
It has no lid, so plan to use a paper towel or cover. We haven’t seen any other independent report on it.
Why we like it
- Slanted to drain grease
- Also works as a defroster
- Takes long strips
- 5-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 60150 |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic, type not stated |
| Capacity | Not stated; many slices, per the maker |
| Size | 12 x 11 x 2 in. |
| Lid | None |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone with a large microwave who wants to cook many long strips flat, and to defrost on the same tray.
Skip it if your microwave is standard or compact. Measure first, since a reviewer’s oven couldn’t take it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large
- Two uses
- Made in USA
Cons
- May not fit many microwaves
- Not recommended by Your Best Digs
5. Fox Run Microwave Bacon Rack – Flat, Simple, With a Reservoir
Fox Run’s tray is a basic white plastic rack, 8 by 9.75 inches and half an inch tall, that cooks 4 to 6 pieces. It has a fat reservoir that’s easy to drain, and it’s dishwasher safe. There’s no lid, which also means there’s little to store.
The listing is unusually specific about its heat limit, at 284 degrees Fahrenheit (140 degrees Celsius). Bacon fat can get hot in a microwave, so follow the instructions and don’t overcook it. GoodCook’s tray, below, states a much higher limit if that matters to you.
We read no independent test of this tray. It’s on this list because it’s a simple, well-defined product from an established kitchenware brand.
Why we like it
- Fat reservoir for easy draining
- Flat for storage
- Dishwasher safe
- Stated heat limit
Key specifications
| Model | 6574 |
|---|---|
| Material | White plastic |
| Capacity | 4 to 6 pieces |
| Size | 8 x 9.75 x 0.5 in. |
| Lid | None |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who makes a few slices now and then and wants a flat tray that stores in any cabinet.
Skip it if you want a lid, or you run your bacon very crisp. Its stated heat limit is lower than GoodCook’s.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple
- Stores flat
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Cons
- No lid
- Lower stated heat limit
- No independent test read
6. GoodCook Everyday Microwave Grill, 10-Inch – Rated to 400 Degrees
GoodCook’s grill is a ridged tray for bacon, sausage and hot dogs. The ridges raise food over the grease and allow air to move around it, and they also guide fat as you pour. The maker says it’s heat safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, for microwave use only and not for the oven or other food warmers.
It’s about 13 inches long and 10.3 inches wide, so that length is something to check against your oven. It’s dishwasher safe. The title calls it BPA free, but it doesn’t give the plastic type or a place of manufacture.
We read no independent test of this tray. Its clear limit and its range of foods are the reasons we’ve included it.
Why we like it
- Heat safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Also for sausages and hot dogs
- Pour-off design
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 20145 |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Size | 13 x 10.3 x 1.3 in. |
| Lid | None |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who cooks fatty foods in the microwave regularly and wants a clear heat rating.
Skip it if your microwave is small. Thirteen inches is long, and many turntables are shorter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear heat limit
- More than bacon
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Cons
- Long tray
- No lid
7. Joie Piggy Microwave Bacon Tray – A Small, Fun Tray
Joie’s piggy-shaped tray holds 4 to 5 strips on a 9-by-8-inch cooking surface, with a vented lid. Joie suggests about a minute per piece of bacon, and it’s BPA free and dishwasher safe. It also calls it a good tool for kids learning to cook with adult supervision.
Reviewers disagree on it too. Your Best Digs said it performed well, with crunchy and chewy bacon, though spatter coated the lid. The Rational Kitchen criticized it, saying the ridges are too shallow and the bacon cooks in its own grease.
Buy it for its charm and compact size, and make sure a grown-up handles the hot tray and grease.
Why we like it
- Compact
- Vented lid
- Dishwasher safe
- Time guide from the maker
Key specifications
| Model | 78416 |
|---|---|
| Material | Durable plastic, BPA free |
| Capacity | 4 to 5 strips |
| Size | 10.5 x 8.5 x 1 in. |
| Lid | Yes, vented |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a light breakfast or a kitchen with young cooks and an adult close by.
Skip it if you want the grease well away from the bacon. One reviewer said the ridges are too shallow.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fun shape
- Small
- Good result at Your Best Digs
Cons
- Shallow ridges, per The Rational Kitchen
- Small capacity
How to choose a microwave bacon cooker
Tray or rack
Ridged trays are simple and flat, and they store easily. Racks like the Makin Bacon hold more and let fat drop away, but they’re harder to clean and can have uneven results. The Rational Kitchen and Your Best Digs came to very different views of how well the Makin Bacon rack cooks.
Measure the tray against your oven
Your Best Digs couldn’t use a large Nordic Ware tray in its microwave. Prep Solutions and GoodCook are nearly as long, so check your turntable. If it can’t spin, the bacon won’t cook evenly.
Lid or paper towel
A lid keeps the oven clean, but The Rational Kitchen warns it can make bacon soggy. A paper towel lets more steam escape. Choose based on which mess you mind more.
Start short and watch it
Bacon goes from limp to burnt quickly, and microwaves vary. Your Best Digs followed makers’ instructions, then retested at lower power and shorter times. Take the tray out early and add time as needed.
Handle hot fat with care
The FDA says most microwave injuries are burns from hot containers and hot food. A tray full of hot grease is one of those, so use mitts, keep it level and let it cool before pouring. Follow the makers’ heat limits too, since Fox Run gives 284 degrees and GoodCook 400.
How we picked these seven bacon trays
We looked for trays and racks made for microwave bacon, from identifiable makers, all in stock with a new offer when we checked. We read The Rational Kitchen’s bacon cooker roundup and Your Best Digs’ 2022 update, both of which report cooking bacon. Their results often differ, likely because their methods and ovens do, and Your Best Digs used a powerful microwave.
We did not test these ourselves. Fox Run and GoodCook rest on their listings. We’ve kept makers’ claims about fat and calories out of our reasons, since we can’t confirm them. Nordic Ware appears twice because the two trays suit very different ovens.
Microwave bacon tray questions, answered
Is a microwave bacon cooker better than a skillet?
It’s quicker and cleaner, but it doesn’t taste the same. Reviewers report mixed crispness, and Your Best Digs noted substantial shrinkage in one test. For more browning, use a skillet with a bacon press or the oven.
How long does bacon take?
It varies with the oven and how many slices you cook. Joie suggests about a minute per piece. Your Best Digs found makers’ settings could overcook in a strong microwave, so check early.
Can I cook thick-cut bacon?
Listings rarely promise this. Expect it to take longer, and the results to vary. For thick cuts, the oven is more dependable.
Do I still need paper towels?
With a lidded tray, usually not. Makin Bacon calls for one over the strips to control spatter, and a tray without a lid will need one or some other cover.
What should I do with the grease?
Let it cool, then pour it into a container for the trash. Don’t pour hot fat into the sink. Trays like GoodCook’s are shaped to help you pour.
Our final pick for breakfast in the microwave
For a few slices, we’d start with the Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid. For a family, we’d measure the oven and then look at the Prep Solutions Grill or the Makin Bacon. If you’re still choosing the oven itself, our compact microwave guide gives the interior sizes that matter here, and our baking sheet for bacon guide handles larger batches.
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