GoKawiilI love cooking hacks and shortcuts, but only when they don't sacrifice the final result. Microwave-poached eggs and reverse-seared steak are two such examples. More recently, I discovered a bacon-making trick, and now it's the only way I'll cook the stuff.
Bacon isn't difficult to cook, thanks to all that delicious fat running through it. It is, however, messy -- particularly when cooked on a stovetop, where grease splatters onto anything within a few feet, including the person cooking it.
Only one kitchen gadget makes perfect strips in under 8 minutes. David Watsky/CNET
I'd previously switched from the stovetop to an oven approach, but the rate at which I use my air fryer had me wondering if this might be the key to fast and easy bacon.
To find out, I ran a test comparing bacon made in the frying pan, the oven and the air fryer. My aim was simple: see which kitchen tool makes the crispiest strips with the least amount of work and cleanup.
I also gave the microwave a chance: While it technically works, the bacon often emerged dry or rubbery, so I took it out of the running.
Here's how the three main contenders fared.
Frying pan
Cooking time : 10 minutes
: 10 minutes Hassle : 8/10
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