How to Cook Perfect Bacon in the Microwave

There are many kitchen gadgets out there that we would love to own, but since many of us live on a tight budget, we don't have the luxury of buying every gadget we want to try. In the following article I explain my technique that I developed using supplies I already had in my kitchen to take the place of the gadget(s) which boast "perfect bacon in the microwave".

First I took a rectangular Pyrex dish. Then, using wooden chopsticks, I skewered ½ slices of bacon and placed the chopsticks across the dish so that the bacon did not overhang any edges. You can also use bamboo or wooden skewers if you don't have chopsticks. All of which can be found at most grocery or mass-market stores for fairly cheap. Fit as many skewered slices as you can across the dish without overlapping.

Cover the skewers with a couple of paper towels, a paper plate or another microwave-safe dish. Just make sure that the bottom dish is completely covered so that the grease doesn't splatter on the top of the microwave. (I speak from experience having started a microwave on fire because bacon grease splattered onto the plastic shield at the top.)

Microwave on High for 2 minutes. With most newer microwaves this is the perfect timing, if you like your bacon cooked and chewy. You can adjust the time, of course, to fit with your microwave and your tastes. Note, however, it is a bit harder to get crispy bacon with this method. Since the grease drips down into the Pyrex dish the bacon does not tend to crisp quite as fast as it would if you left the bacon sitting in the grease or on top of a grease soaked paper towel. This method also means the bacon is slightly healthier since it is not "stewing" in its own grease like in a frying pan.