Anything that fries in a skillet spits. Chorizo rendering down for a breakfast taco, chicken thighs going skin-side down, a pan of chiles rellenos in a finger of oil, tortilla strips for a soup: each one throws fine drops of hot fat across the stove, the backsplash and the cook’s forearm. A lid stops the mess but traps steam, and steam is the enemy of anything you want crisp. A splatter screen sits between the two. It covers the pan, lets the steam out and catches most of the grease that would otherwise land on the cooktop.
This guide covers the main kinds of splatter screen sold today: flat stainless mesh screens with a handle, a folding silicone screen, a silicone wall that stands inside the pan, a strainer-style guard, and a three-sided shield that stands around the pan. For each we list the type, diameter, material, handle, the pan sizes it fits, dishwasher care and upkeep, taken from the maker, the Amazon listing or America’s Test Kitchen. Where no source gives a figure, we say “Not stated”.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which splatter screen to buy
For most kitchens, the best splatter screen is the BergKoch 13-inch Stainless Steel Splatter Screen: fine stainless mesh, a size that covers a 12-inch skillet, and America’s Test Kitchen named it the best traditional screen, saying it contained splatter well in every cooking test. If you want to see and stir the food while it fries, get the Frywall 12-inch Silicone Splatter Guard, ATK’s other co-winner. For several pan sizes, the U.S. Kitchen Supply 3-Piece Splatter Screen Set; for drawer storage, the HexClad Folding Silicone Splatter Screen; and to shield the wall and counter, the Norpro 3-Sided Splatter Guard.
The table compares the five picks we would steer most cooks toward, one for each kind of buyer. All nine guards are reviewed in full after it.
Five splatter guards side by side
Type, size and cleanup, as the maker, the listing or ATK give them.
| Guard | Best for | Type & size | Cleanup | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BergKoch 13-inch Stainless Steel Splatter ScreenBest overall
|
Bacon, chorizo, fried chicken | Fine stainless mesh, 13 inches | Dishwasher safe | View on Amazon |
Frywall 12-inch Silicone Splatter GuardBest open-top guard
|
Stirring and flipping without lifting a screen | Silicone wall, fits 12-inch pans | Dishwasher safe; rolls up to store | View on Amazon |
| A screen for every skillet | Fine stainless mesh; 13, 11.5 and 9.5 inches | Dishwasher safe | View on Amazon | |
HexClad Folding Silicone Splatter ScreenBest folding screen
|
Small kitchens, tight drawers | Silicone on steel frame, pans up to 12.5 inches | Dishwasher safe; folds | View on Amazon |
Norpro 3-Sided Splatter GuardBest 3-sided shield
|
Protecting the wall and counter | Three folding 10 x 9-inch panels | Nonstick finish; hand wash | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best splatter screen
1. BergKoch 13-inch Stainless Steel Splatter Screen – Fine Mesh That Holds the Grease In
America’s Test Kitchen’s splatter screen review names the BergKoch its best traditional screen, one of two co-winners. ATK fried bacon and seared chicken thighs in a 12-inch skillet and simmered sauce in a 10-inch one, with kraft paper laid around the pan to show where the grease landed, and says the BergKoch “did an excellent job at containing splatter during all of our cooking tests.” Its one complaint was that the fine mesh made the food harder to see.
BergKoch describes it as heavy-duty stainless steel with an extra-fine mesh that lets steam out while stopping most of the splatter, and says it fits most pots, pans and skillets. A 13-inch screen is the usual size for a 12-inch skillet, and ATK notes that traditional screens built for 12-inch pans also cover 8- and 10-inch ones. BergKoch also sells 11.5- and 15-inch versions and a set of three.
The listing calls it dishwasher safe and rust-free, and ATK put every screen through the dishwasher seven times as well as hand washing. BergKoch’s own tip is a good one for any screen: take the pan off the heat before you lift the screen to flip or stir, so the burst of sizzle does not reach your hand.
Why we like it
- ATK’s best traditional splatter screen
- Extra-fine stainless mesh, per BergKoch
- 13-inch size covers a 12-inch skillet
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing and ATK
Key specifications
| Model | 13-01016 |
|---|---|
| Type | Flat mesh screen with handle |
| Diameter | 13 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel, extra-fine mesh |
| Handle | Fixed handle; material not stated |
| Fits pan sizes | Most pots and skillets; ATK used it on 10- and 12-inch pans |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Care | Wash after each use; stays rust-free, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who fries in a 10- or 12-inch skillet a few times a week and wants one plain, dependable screen that goes in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you need to watch the food closely; the fine mesh is harder to see through, and ATK says every lift of a flat screen lets a little grease escape.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Contained splatter in all of ATK’s cooking tests
- Lets steam out, so fried food stays crisp
- Also sold in 11.5- and 15-inch sizes
Cons
- Hard to see the food through the mesh, per ATK
- Handle does not fold for storage
- Fine mesh holds grease, so it needs a proper wash
2. Frywall 12-inch Silicone Splatter Guard – Stir Freely While It Fries
The Frywall is not a screen at all. It is a flexible silicone ring that sits inside the skillet and flares up and out, like taller walls for the pan. Nothing covers the food, so steam escapes freely and you can stir, flip and season the whole time. America’s Test Kitchen made it its best innovative pick and co-winner, saying it kept splatter to a minimum while letting the cook watch the food.
Fit is the catch. Each Frywall is sized to one pan: the 12-inch model fits pans with an inside diameter of 11.5 to 12.25 inches, and Frywall says it will not fit anything smaller. Frywall sells 8-, 10- and 11-inch versions too, so measure your skillet across the top before you buy. The listing also says it is not suitable for downdraft stoves. ATK found it took a few tries to learn how to place it, and that the silicone got hot to handle.
Frywall gives a heat limit of 450°F for sustained use and calls it dishwasher safe. ATK found it awkward to wash by hand but says it kept its shape, and it rolls up to about a quarter of its size into a storage sleeve.
Why we like it
- ATK’s best innovative splatter guard
- Open top: no lifting a screen to flip
- Steam escapes, so searing and reducing are not slowed
- Rolls up into a sleeve for storage
Key specifications
| Model | Frywall 12 (Large), 100020971 |
|---|---|
| Type | Silicone wall that sits inside the pan |
| Diameter | 12-inch model |
| Material | Silicone, heat safe to 450°F sustained |
| Handle | None |
| Fits pan sizes | Inside diameter 11.5 to 12.25 inches |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Care | Roll into its sleeve to store; awkward to hand wash, per ATK |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who fries things that need constant attention, such as a big batch of fajita vegetables or carnitas crisping in their own fat, in one main 12-inch skillet.
Skip it if you fry in several pan sizes; you would need a separate Frywall for each.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Kept splatter to a minimum, per ATK
- Full access to the food while it cooks
- Also sold in 8-, 10- and 11-inch sizes
Cons
- Fits only one pan size
- Silicone gets hot to handle, per ATK
- Not suitable for downdraft stoves, per Frywall
3. KitchenAid Gourmet 13-inch Odor Absorbing Splatter Screen – Carbon Filter for Smelly Frying
KitchenAid’s Gourmet screen adds an activated carbon filter to a stainless steel frame. KitchenAid says the filter absorbs cooking odors while the grated design lets steam out, which matters if you fry fish or render pork fat in a small apartment. America’s Test Kitchen rated it Recommended and found the handle comfortable and cool to the touch.
ATK’s reservations are worth reading before you buy. The filter made the screen completely opaque, so you cannot see the food at all, and the filter cannot be replaced. Once it has absorbed what it can, the odor control is done, though the screen still works as a splatter guard. ATK lists it as dishwasher safe.
It is 13 inches across, the usual size for a 12-inch skillet. KitchenAid backs it with a one-year replacement and a lifetime limited warranty, per the listing. KitchenAid also sells a newer stainless mesh Universal screen with a carbon filter in 9- and 13-inch sizes, which ATK did not review.
Why we like it
- Activated carbon filter for cooking odors
- Comfortable, cool handle, per ATK
- Recommended by ATK
- One-year replacement and lifetime limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | KO163OHOBA |
|---|---|
| Type | Flat screen with carbon filter and handle |
| Diameter | 13 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel with activated carbon filter |
| Handle | Fixed; stayed cool, per ATK |
| Fits pan sizes | Not stated; sized for 12-inch skillets |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per ATK |
| Care | Filter is not replaceable, per ATK |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook in a small or poorly vented kitchen who fries fish, bacon or chorizo and minds the smell more than seeing the food.
Skip it if you like to watch the browning; ATK found the filter blocks the view entirely.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Odor filter built in
- Cool, comfortable handle
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Opaque: you cannot see the food, per ATK
- Filter cannot be replaced
- Pan-fit range not stated by KitchenAid
4. U.S. Kitchen Supply 3-Piece Splatter Screen Set – One Screen for Every Skillet
Most kitchens own more than one frying pan: a small one for eggs and a quick salsa fry, a 10-inch for weeknight chicken, a 12-inch for a full batch. A single 13-inch screen covers all of them but rocks on the small ones and takes up stove space. This set gives you three stainless steel mesh screens, 13, 11.5 and 9.5 inches across, so each pan gets a screen that sits flat.
U.S. Kitchen Supply describes the mesh as fine, letting steam out while blocking grease, and says the steel resists rust. Each screen has a comfort-grip handle and built-in resting feet, so you can set a greasy screen down on the counter without the mesh touching it. The handles also hang on a hook, or the three screens stack flat.
All three are dishwasher safe, per the listing. The maker does not give a mesh count or say what the handles are made of. If you want a single larger screen, the same maker sells a 13-inch screen on its own, and a four-piece set that adds an 8-inch screen.
Why we like it
- Three sizes: 13, 11.5 and 9.5 inches
- Resting feet keep the mesh off the counter
- Stainless steel fine mesh
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | SS-S112 |
|---|---|
| Type | Flat mesh screens with handles, set of 3 |
| Diameter | 13, 11.5 and 9.5 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel, fine mesh |
| Handle | Comfort-grip handles; resting feet |
| Fits pan sizes | Most standard cookware sizes, per the listing |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Care | Hang by the handle or stack flat |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen with two or three skillets in regular use, where one oversized screen would always be the wrong size for the pan on the stove.
Skip it if you only fry in one pan; three screens are more storage than you need.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A screen that fits each common pan size
- Feet keep the counter clean
- Goes in the dishwasher
Cons
- Handles do not fold
- Mesh count and handle material not stated
- Three screens take more drawer space
5. HexClad Folding Silicone Splatter Screen – Folds Flat for a Drawer
HexClad’s screen replaces wire mesh with heat-resistant silicone stretched over a stainless steel frame. HexClad rates the silicone to 480°F and says the screen blocks splatter without trapping moisture, so fried food stays crisp. The stay-cool silicone handle has a stainless steel locking hinge: it locks straight for cooking and folds back for storage, which makes this the easiest screen here to keep in a crowded drawer.
HexClad says it fits pans up to 12.5 inches wide, including its own 10- and 12-inch pans, woks and deep sauté pans from 3.3 to 7 quarts. It is dishwasher safe. The maker is clear about two limits: use it only on the stovetop, always with the handle locked, and do not use it as a strainer.
Silicone is a different trade-off from steel mesh. It will not rust or dent, but no source we found reports how well it blocks fine grease mist compared with a fine stainless mesh, and ATK did not include this model. We include it as the best folding option on the maker’s specifications.
Why we like it
- Folding, locking handle for compact storage
- Silicone rated to 480°F, per HexClad
- Fits pans up to 12.5 inches
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated (HexClad folding splatter screen) |
|---|---|
| Type | Folding silicone screen with handle |
| Diameter | Not stated; fits pans up to 12.5 inches |
| Material | Silicone on a stainless steel frame, to 480°F |
| Handle | Silicone, folding, with locking hinge |
| Fits pan sizes | 10- and 12-inch pans, woks, 3.3 to 7-quart sauté pans |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Care | Stovetop only; not for straining |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen where a rigid 13-inch screen has nowhere to live, and a cook who uses woks and deep sauté pans as often as skillets.
Skip it if you want a screen that doubles as a strainer; HexClad says not to use it that way.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Folds for storage, locks for use
- Covers woks and deep pans as well as skillets
- Silicone will not rust
Cons
- Not reviewed by ATK
- Diameter of the screen itself not stated
- Stovetop use only
6. All-Clad 10.5-inch Strain and Splatter Guard – Covers the Pan, Then Drains It
All-Clad’s guard is a heavy-duty stainless steel disk, perforated rather than woven, with two oversized handles instead of one long one. It does two jobs. During cooking it covers the pan to contain oil and sauce; afterwards you hold it against the rim and tip the pan to pour off water or fat while the food stays put. That second job is handy for draining the fat from browned ground beef for picadillo or pouring the water off boiled potatoes.
It is 10.5 inches across, sized for All-Clad’s D5 10.5-inch-diameter cookware such as the 4-quart sauteuse and 8-quart stockpot. That makes it a better match for a saucepan, sauté pan or stockpot of that size than for a large 12-inch skillet. All-Clad says the handles are oversized so there is room for oven mitts, and warns that the guard and handles can get hot.
All-Clad rates its cookware oven safe to 600°F, says not to use the guard under a broiler because it can discolor, and calls it dishwasher safe. It is designed in Pennsylvania and made in China, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Doubles as a strainer, per All-Clad
- Two oversized handles for a secure grip
- Heavy-duty stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | D5105SSCRN |
|---|---|
| Type | Perforated guard and strainer, two handles |
| Diameter | 10.5 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel, perforated |
| Handle | Two oversized handles; can get hot |
| Fits pan sizes | 10.5-inch-diameter cookware |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Care | Oven safe to 600°F; not under the broiler |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with 10.5-inch saucepans or sauté pans who wants one tool to tame splatter and drain fat or water.
Skip it if your main frying pan is 12 inches; it is too small to cover it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strains as well as covers
- Sturdy stainless build
- Rated to 600°F in the oven
Cons
- Fits 10.5-inch cookware only
- Perforated holes, not fine mesh; ATK found a perforated OXO screen let grease through
- Handles get hot, per All-Clad
7. HIC 9-inch Stainless Steel Splatter Screen – Sized for Small Pans
A 13-inch screen on an 8-inch pan works, but it hangs over the burner and the next pan. HIC makes this one for small skillets: it fits pans up to 8.5 inches. It is commercial-grade 18/8 stainless steel with a fine mesh that HIC says lets air circulate while catching splatter, and a long stay-cool handle that keeps your hand back from the heat.
HIC gives the overall size, handle included, as 16.375 by 9.875 by 0.875 inches. Its stainless screen ranked second in an earlier America’s Test Kitchen splatter screen review, and an ATK editor wrote that she uses one at home because the mesh is tight enough to stop oil but loose enough to let steam out. ATK did not name the size in that article, so treat that as a nod to the brand rather than to this exact screen.
HIC says it also works for steaming, draining and rinsing, and it is dishwasher safe. It is a good partner for an 8-inch pan of fried eggs, a few tortillas crisping for tostadas, or a small batch of chiles toasted in oil.
Why we like it
- Fits pans up to 8.5 inches
- 18/8 stainless steel, per HIC
- Long stay-cool handle
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 30026 |
|---|---|
| Type | Flat mesh screen with handle |
| Diameter | 9 inches (16.375 x 9.875 x 0.875 in overall) |
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel, fine mesh |
| Handle | Long stay-cool handle |
| Fits pan sizes | Up to 8.5 inches |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Care | Also used for steaming, draining and rinsing |
Why we recommend it
It suits the small pan most kitchens reach for every morning, where a big screen would be clumsy.
Skip it if you need to cover a 10- or 12-inch skillet; it is too small.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right size for 8-inch pans
- Good-quality 18/8 steel
- Doubles as a small strainer
Cons
- Covers small pans only
- Handle does not fold
8. Norpro 13-inch Stainless Steel Mesh Splatter Screen – Simple Screen That Also Sieves
Norpro’s screen is the plain, traditional design: a 13-inch stainless steel fine-mesh disk on a handle. Norpro says it suits pans up to 12 inches and lets air and steam out while keeping hot grease, oil and sauce in the pan. The handle is a stay-cool design, per the listing.
Norpro suggests using it for searing meat, frying bacon or chicken, and making sauces, and also as a sieve, a strainer or a steamer rack over a pot. That flexibility is the point of a flat mesh screen: the same disk can cover a skillet of frying chiles and then sit over a pot of simmering beans.
The one difference from most of the screens above is care. Norpro recommends hand washing, while BergKoch, U.S. Kitchen Supply, HIC and HexClad call theirs dishwasher safe. If you wash the frying pan by hand anyway, it adds a minute to the job; if not, choose one of those.
Why we like it
- 13-inch fine mesh for pans up to 12 inches
- Stay-cool handle, per Norpro
- Works as a sieve, strainer or steamer
Key specifications
| Model | 2060 |
|---|---|
| Type | Flat mesh screen with handle |
| Diameter | 13 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel, fine mesh |
| Handle | Stay-cool handle |
| Fits pan sizes | Up to 12 inches |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
| Care | Hand wash |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants a straightforward 13-inch screen and does not mind washing it by hand.
Skip it if everything in your kitchen has to survive the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers pans up to 12 inches
- Multi-use as a sieve or steamer
- Stay-cool handle
Cons
- Hand washing recommended
- Not reviewed by ATK
9. Norpro 3-Sided Splatter Guard – Shields the Wall and Counter
A three-sided guard works differently from a screen. Instead of covering the pan, three hinged panels stand around the back and sides of it, so grease that jumps out hits the panels instead of the backsplash, the wall or the counter beside the stove. The pan stays open, so you can stir, flip and add ingredients freely, and it fits around any pan shape, including a big oval or a griddle.
Norpro’s panels are each 10 by 9 inches, tall enough to keep counters, walls and floors cleaner, per the maker. They have a nonstick finish that wipes clean, fold down flat for storage, and Norpro recommends hand washing.
The trade-off is plain: an open-top shield does not stop drops landing on the front of the stove or on you. It is a good partner for a flat screen rather than a replacement for one, especially for a long shallow fry such as a batch of chiles rellenos.
Why we like it
- Three 10 x 9-inch folding panels
- Pan stays open for stirring and flipping
- Nonstick finish, per Norpro
- Folds flat for storage
Key specifications
| Model | 2063 |
|---|---|
| Type | Three-sided freestanding shield |
| Diameter | Not applicable; panels 10 x 9 inches each |
| Material | Nonstick-finished panels; base metal not stated |
| Handle | None |
| Fits pan sizes | Not stated; stands around the pan |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
| Care | Wipe or hand wash; folds flat |
Why we recommend it
It suits a stove set against a wall or beside a counter you are tired of degreasing, and anyone frying in a pan no screen fits.
Skip it if your main worry is grease on your hands and the front of the stove; a screen over the pan does that better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Full access to the pan
- Works with any pan shape
- Folds flat
Cons
- Open front and top let some grease out
- Panel metal and heat limit not stated
- Hand wash only
What kind of splatter guard works best
There are four designs on the market, and each one makes a different trade.
Fine-mesh screens (BergKoch, U.S. Kitchen Supply, HIC, Norpro) are the classic. A woven stainless disk covers the pan and lets steam through. ATK looked at the mesh of each screen under a microscope and found that screens made from heavier-gauge wire were more effective; thin wires let more grease through. The downside is that you have to lift the screen to flip or stir, and ATK says a little grease reaches the stovetop every time you do.
Perforated disks (the All-Clad guard, and OXO’s screen) use a flat sheet punched with holes. They clean up easily by hand, but ATK found the holes in the OXO screen too big to keep grease and sauce in, so we prefer fine mesh for frying.
Silicone comes in two forms: a screen like HexClad’s, which folds and will not rust, and a wall like the Frywall, which stands inside the pan and leaves the top open. ATK’s co-winner was the Frywall, chosen because it let the cook watch and reach the food without lifting anything.
Three-sided shields such as the Norpro stand around the pan and protect the wall and counter, not the cook. They pair well with a screen.
How to choose a splatter screen for your stove
Match the size to your pans
Measure your most-used skillet across the top, rim to rim. A 13-inch screen is the standard for a 12-inch skillet, and ATK says screens built for 12-inch pans also cover 8- and 10-inch ones, though they overhang. For a small pan, a 9-inch screen like the HIC sits better. A Frywall must match the pan’s inside diameter closely, so check its size chart.
Look for fine, sturdy mesh
The finer and heavier the mesh, the more grease it stops. Few makers state a mesh count, so look for “fine” or “extra-fine” stainless mesh and avoid large perforations if frying is the main job.
A cool handle, and whether it folds
ATK preferred handles that are easy to grip, stay cool and have plastic or silicone padding, and noted that folding handles make storage and loading the dishwasher easier. Resting feet, as on the U.S. Kitchen Supply screens, let you set a greasy screen down without marking the counter.
A solid join between mesh and rim
The screen ATK rated lowest, a Lodge model, let the most splatter escape and had its mesh separate from the ring during hand washing. Look at how the mesh is fixed to the frame; a firm, even join lasts longer.
Dishwasher or hand wash
Mesh traps grease and is fiddly to scrub. Most screens here are dishwasher safe; the Norpro screen and shield are hand wash. Dry stainless mesh fully before storing it.
Splatter screens and kitchen fire safety
A splatter screen keeps grease off the stove; it is not a fire tool. It is open mesh, not a solid lid. The U.S. Fire Administration’s cooking safety advice is to stand by your pan and turn the burner off if you leave the kitchen, to turn the burner off if you see smoke or the grease starts to boil, and to keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby so you can cover a pan that catches fire. USFA also reports that unattended equipment was the leading factor in the ignition of nonconfined home cooking fires. Keep the pan’s real lid within reach whenever you fry, even with a screen on top.
How we picked these nine splatter guards
We have not cooked with these screens for this guide. We started from what a busy kitchen needs: something that keeps fat in the pan while letting steam out, is easy to hold, and survives daily washing. We then read America’s Test Kitchen’s splatter screen review, which fried bacon, seared chicken thighs and simmered sauce with paper laid around the pans to measure the mess, put each model through ten washes, and looked at the mesh under a microscope. Its two co-winners lead this list.
We added the most useful other designs, a screen set, a folding silicone screen, a strainer guard, a small-pan screen and a three-sided shield, and checked every specification against the maker’s description or the Amazon listing. Each product was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this. We left out OXO’s screen because ATK found its holes too big to contain grease, and Lodge’s because ATK did not recommend it. We did not find a Wirecutter or Serious Eats splatter screen review to draw on, so we do not cite one.
Splatter screen questions, answered
What is the best type of splatter screen?
For most cooks, a fine stainless steel mesh screen about 13 inches across, like the BergKoch. If you want to stir and flip without lifting anything, a silicone wall like the Frywall is the alternative ATK also rated highly.
What splatter screen does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK’s current review names two co-winners: the Frywall as its best innovative guard and the BergKoch 13-inch screen as its best traditional one. It rated the KitchenAid Gourmet odor-absorbing screen Recommended.
Do splatter screens make fried food soggy?
Much less than a lid. Mesh lets steam escape, which is why makers such as BergKoch, KitchenAid and HexClad say food stays crisp under a screen. A solid lid traps that steam and softens a crust.
What size splatter screen do I need?
Measure the top of your pan. A 13-inch screen suits a 12-inch skillet and can cover smaller pans; a 9-inch screen suits pans up to about 8.5 inches. Silicone walls must match the pan closely.
Can a splatter screen go in the dishwasher?
Most of the screens here can, per their makers or ATK. Norpro recommends hand washing its mesh screen and its three-sided guard. Whatever the method, wash the screen after each fry so grease does not build up in the mesh.
Is a splatter screen enough to stop a grease fire?
No. It is mesh, not a seal. The U.S. Fire Administration says to keep a lid or baking sheet nearby to cover a pan that catches fire and to turn off the burner if the grease smokes or starts to boil.
Our last word on the best splatter screen
Buy the screen that fits the pan you fry in most. For a 12-inch skillet, the BergKoch 13-inch screen is the simple, well-reviewed choice, and the Frywall is worth it if you want to keep stirring while you fry. Add the Norpro shield if your wall takes the hit.
Related guide: Best microwave splatter cover.
Related guide: Splatter screen alternative.
A screen is only half the setup. For the pan underneath it, see our guides to the best frying pan, the best cast iron skillet, the best carbon steel pan and the best skillet for chicken. For where frying fits in Mexican cooking, read Mexican cooking methods explained. Or let us do the frying: see the menu or call to order.