Hey there! If you‘re like most bacon lovers, you know that cooking it can generate an epic amount of grease splatters and drips. But mopping it all up with pile after pile of paper towels? Wasteful, expensive, and not even that effective!
As a home improvement expert who loves renovating kitchens almost as much as I love bacon, I‘ve tested every grease-cleaning method out there. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll show you the best reusable alternatives to paper towels for cooking bacon.
We‘ll compare pros and cons, demystify cleaning, and even save you some cash. Ready to fry up bacon bliss minus the paper towel mess? Let‘s do this!
Why Ditch the Paper Towels?
Before we get to the eco-friendly solutions, let‘s go over why paper towels stink for cooking bacon:
- Trashing the Planet: Americans use 50 pounds of paper towels per person per year. All those sheets wasted for a few minutes of use add up fast.
- Major Money Suck: Those packs at the store don‘t look too pricey, but it adds up. Households can spend $100 or more per year on paper towels alone.
- Leaky and Soggy: Ever had your paper towels rip right through and spread grease everywhere? Not awesome.
- Clogs the Pipes: That greasy bacon residue isn‘t good for your plumbing when washed down the drain.
- Zero Reusability: Once they‘re soaked in bacon fat, it‘s one and done. Not sustainable!
Now let‘s explore some reusable alternatives you likely already have that‘ll save money, trees, and be way more fun to cook with!
6 Genius Paper Towel Swaps for Bacon Grease
From silicone moulds to handy hardware, here are my top 6 reusable picks for catching bacon drippings and grease minus the waste.
🥓 Splatter-Stopping Silicone Mats
These flexible, nonstick silicone mats are designed just for cooking up crispy bacon sans the mess. The textured bottoms let air flow while the top absorbs all those greasy drips.
Bacon Bliss Benefits:
- Keeps your stovetop pristine
- Absorbs way more than paper towels
- Simple to wipe and rinse clean
- Fits right in the dishwasher
Mats like the OXO Good Grips Bacon and Meatloaf Baking Pan start at $15 and last for years. Worth every penny for mess-free bacon!
🥓 Raised Cooling Racks
Take something you already have in your kitchen—a cooling rack—and put it to work for draining bacon! The raised design lets grease slip right through.
Bacon Bliss Benefits:
- Lets grease drain while bacon cooks
- No need to buy something new
- Promotes crispy, even cooking
- Just place over a foil-lined baking sheet
Bonus points if you already have a rack with removable plastic feet. Pop those off and it‘ll fit in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
🥓 Splatter-Blocking Mesh Screens
These affordable screens are designed to prevent grease splatters, but also catch those bacon drips!
Bacon Bliss Benefits:
- Catches hot grease right below bacon
- Fits most skillets and pans
- Heat and air still flow through mesh
- Roll up or hang for storage
At around $10, it‘s a smart investment to keep kitchen walls grease-free for years. Pro tip: Lay paper towels or cloth on top to absorb drips!
🥓 Non-Stick Aluminum Foil
You‘ve probably got a roll of heavy duty foil in the kitchen right now. Form it into pans and trays to keep greasy residue from sticking.
Bacon Bliss Benefits:
- Molds to any bakeware shape
- Catches all drips from oven or stovetop
- Easy to bunch up and toss after cooking
- Disposable but reusable a few times if you‘re careful
Use a double thick layer and pierce some holes for maximum grease drainage. Just toss it after each batch of bacon.
🥓 Grease-Guarding Parchment Paper
Parchment paper makes a good disposable grease catcher, but it‘s way more durable than regular paper towels. Bonus – it‘s oven safe!
Bacon Bliss Benefits:
- More grease resistant than paper towels
- Oven safe to 420° F
- Nonstick release makes cleanup easy
- Affordable and fits in most budgets
I recommend Chameleon brand unbleached parchment paper. Let it cool fully before disposal to avoid grease drips.
🥓 Absorbent Reusable Towels
Cotton towels and even old t-shirts make great grease mops! Just throw them in the wash after use.
Bacon Bliss Benefits:
- Natural absorbency soaks up drips
- Wash, dry, and reuse over and over
- Saves money in the long run
- Eco-friendly compared to disposables
Designate some thrifted towels just for bacon duty. Let them cool fully before washing – that grease needs to solidify!
Bacon Bling: Decorative Grease Catchers
If you‘re feeling fancy, you can find reusable grease catchers designed just for bacon in fun shapes and patterns.
- Silicone bacon mats with piggy shapes or funny food quotes
- Enamel or stainless steel splatter screens to match your decor
- Geometric cooling racks for a modern vibe
- Monogrammed linen towels to give as a gift
Part of the joy of cooking is expressing your personal style! With shape options beyond boring rectangles, you can add a touch of flair while being functional.
Tips for Bacon Bliss with Reusable Materials
To make the most of your new paper towel replacements, keep these tips in mind:
Prepping Your Gear
- Place mats or splatter screens close to heat source right below bacon.
- Make sure cooling racks or parchment are securely positioned before cooking.
- Mold foil to edges and pierce holes so grease can drain down.
Cleanup Made Easy
- Always let materials fully cool before rinsing to allow grease to harden.
- Use a spatula to scrape off any stuck-on bits before washing.
- For mats and towels, wash solo with hot water and mild soap.
Storing for Next Use
- Roll splatter screens and mats with no folds so they lie flat.
- Designate a drawer or cabinet spot just for your bacon gear.
- Hang towels to fully air dry before using again for optimal absorbency.
With the right prep and care, your reusable bacon helpers can fry up many batches for years to come!
How Do Reusable Materials Stack Up?
Ready to choose your new grease catcher? Here‘s how the reusable materials compare on key factors:
| Material | Absorbency | Ease of Use | Cleanup | Reusability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone Mats | Excellent | High | Moderate | Endless | $$ |
| Cooling Racks | Low | High | Easy | Endless | $ |
| Splatter Screens | Low | Moderate | Easy | Endless | $ |
| Aluminum Foil | Moderate | High | Easy | Single Use | $ |
| Parchment Paper | Moderate | High | Easy | Single Use | $ |
| Towels/Rags | Excellent | High | Moderate | High | $ |
Silicone mats are my personal go-to for their unmatched absorbency and durability. But cooling racks, foil, and towels offer cheap, reusable solutions too. Avoid the waste and enjoy the savings!
3 Steps to Ditch Paper Towels for Good
Ready to break up with paper towels for bacon? Here‘s your game plan:
✅ Pick Your Reusable Materials
Browse the options that fit your budget and cooking style. I recommend having a splatter screen, silicone mat, and some cotton rags on hand to cover all your bacon needs!
✅ Prep Your Kitchen for Reusables
Clear some space to store your new gadgets. Have designated cabinets and drawers to keep them accessible but out of the splatter zone.
✅ Use Your Materials and Clean Properly
Refer back to the tips in this guide. With some practice, you‘ll get in a good groove prepping, frying, cleaning, and storing your reusable helpers.
Once you get the hang of it, I know you‘ll never miss wasting money and making a mess with paper towels again!
More Tips for Degreasing Pans
Even with reusable materials, some bacon residue still sneaks through. Here are my pro tips for degreasing pans after cooking:
- Allow pans to fully cool before rinsing so grease solidifies.
- Use a metal spatula to scrape off any stuck-on pieces.
- Generously sprinkle baking soda and let sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing.
- Blast hot water on pans – heat melts the grease for easier wiping.
- Avoid pouring grease directly down drains which can lead to clogs.
With some hot water and elbow grease, you can get pans looking good as new after frying up some delicious bacon.
Go Forth and Fry!
There you have it – everything you need to kick paper towels to the curb and discover reusable bacon bliss! With so many material options for catching grease, reducing waste, and saving cash, you can take your bacon game to the next level.
Silicone mats, cooling racks, and absorbent rags have your back (and your pans, counters, and stovetops). Give some a try during your next bacon cooking sesh. Once you see how easy it is, you can expand beyond bacon to make your whole kitchen more sustainable.
Now get out there and fry up the perfect bacon with zero waste or worries! Need any more tips or have go-to materials I missed? Let me know in the comments – I love chatting all things bacon!
