The Best Type Of Pan To Fry Crackling Hot Bacon

Many of us can agree that bacon makes everything better — from bacon mac and cheese to a bacon cheeseburger, heck even bacon peanut brittle. Every bite of that perfectly salty, iconically crispy, and oh-so-indulgent bacon is unparalleled. Yet, it is interesting that not everyone can agree on how to cook bacon for the most desirable results. Some prefer the oven while others pop their meat into a microwave. And yet — even if you plan on preparing bacon on the stovetop, the cooking options widen again when it comes to selecting the best pan. 

Stainless steel or even high-end copper pans tend to heat too quickly, resulting in bacon that is burnt in some spots and with un-rendered fat in others. Ceramic cookware has trended lately for its aesthetically appealing variety of color options, but you always need to be careful not to scratch the non-stick silicone surface layer with cooking utensils. In the end, a classic cast iron skillet is the perfect vessel for preparing the best bacon of your life. Plus, the benefits go far beyond just breakfast. 

Experts agree that when it comes to perfectly cooked bacon, all you need is a heavy-bottomed cast iron pan. Not only is it incredibly durable, but the bacon cooks perfectly, resulting in the best-tasting bacon as well thanks to the way it adds a little char. Each slice comes out of the pan evenly cooked and delightfully crisp. Plus, there's an ease of preparation when it comes to cooking bacon in this pan. The classic cast iron skillet can cook bacon without sticking — and without having to turn to a non-stick skillet. 

The next time you cook up slices of bacon in your cast iron skillet, just remember one essential tip. Start by placing the bacon in a cold pan. Perfectly cooked bacon comes from fat that has been rendered slowly. As the pan slowly heats up, the fat will gently start to render, and the meat will gradually begin to crisp. This will result in strips that are perfectly crunchy without a hit of rubbery fat leftover. 

As it turns out, preparing bacon in cast iron offers benefits in more ways than one. Not only does the final result taste better when cooked in a cast iron skillet, but in the end, the bacon returns the favor. The drippings automatically help season the pan for future use. 

Seasoning is the term used with cast iron to describe a protective layer of oil that bakes into the pan over time and through repeated use. This layer of oil builds up every time you cook, resulting in its own unique form of a non-stick surface finish that makes cooking and clean-up easy and efficient. This is why well-loved and perfectly seasoned cast iron skillets become family heirlooms over time. Since you want to maintain this seasoning, cleanup is a breeze when it comes to cast iron. Some say there isn't even a need for soap (though some Grandmas would be appalled by the thought). Just wipe it down thoroughly with paper towels, and then heat the pan on the stovetop to dry it out before putting it away.

Because of their long-lasting durability, cast iron skillets also end up being the most budget-friendly cookware option over time as well. A lifetime of perfectly cooked bacon at a reasonable price. What more could you ask for?