Bacon is a delicacy that appears on most breakfast menus. It’s therefore vital to know how to cook it properly, especially when looking forward to hosting a party. For that purpose, the best outdoor flat top grill makes viable equipment for that task.
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What Are the Benefits of Cooking Bacon On a Flat Top Grill?
It’s easy to prepare few slices of bacon for one or two people on a pan. But, cooking bacon for a large group requires a flat top grill. That gives you the following benefits:
Easy Flipping
As the name suggests, a flat top grill presents a plane cooking surface. When cooking bacon, you have to flip it over to achieve the best results.
A flat cooking surface makes it easier and more convenient to flip over the bacon. And, when you use a silicone-edged pair of tongs, it leaves no scratch marks on the flat top grill.
Even Cooking
After cooking a burger on a flat top grill[how to cook burger on a flat top grill], you can enhance its taste with flavorsome slices of bacon. A flat cooking surface allows the bacon to lay flat; a convenient cooking posture.
Besides, a flat top grill heats evenly and allows every part of the bacon to receive adequate heat. On the other hand, a pan curves the edges of the bacon and making it more likely not to cook evenly.
Accommodates Many Slices of Bacon
Considering the broad flat cooking surface, you can lay several slices of bacon and cook them simultaneously. That way, you can serve a large group within no time than when you use a frying pan. Moreover, that helps to save on fuel.
Tapping and Saving Fat is Easy
The fat from bacon has many diverse uses in the kitchen. When cooking bacon on a flat top grill, it is easier to trap the molten fat through the tray and save it for later use. A pan, on the other hand, doesn’t make it that easier.
Can a Flat Top Grill Give a Crispy Tasting Bacon?
A piece of crisper bacon has superior taste to a soggy dull one. So, during your cooking, take note of the following to deliver the best flavor;
Large Cooking Surface
Your cooking surface should be large enough such that the entire length of the bacon slice lies flat on the cooking surface. Further, don’t overcrowd the flat grill with portions of bacon but let them fit happily. That’s why a flat top grill becomes ideal.
Do Not Swim the Bacon in Fat
The bacon can only get crispy if it doesn’t swim in fat. For that reason, a flat grill with a proper grease drainage system greatly helps. As you cook the fat melts away and flows to the collection pan.
Otherwise, if your equipment has poor grease and fat management, then you will have to drain some liquid fat midway through cooking.
Adequate Heat
The quantity of heat affects the crispiness of the food by a big percentage. So you need to set the flat top grill to slightly over medium heat level. A higher heat level causes the fat to spit and makes the bacon turn soggy.
Turn the Bacon as Required
When cooking every side of the bacon has to receive enough heat level. Therefore, you need to turn over the rasher as necessary.
What’s the Best Temperature for Cooking Bacon On a Flat Top Grill?
An extremely high heat level is dangerous and also causes fogginess in the bacon. The adequate heal level should be approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. That is from medium to slightly above medium heat range.
How Long Do You Cook Bacon On a Flat Top Grill?
The duration of cooking bacon depends on its thickness, quantity of heat, and the desired degree of crispiness. Thin slices of bacon take a shorter period than their thicker counterparts. With that said it should take about 10 or 15 minutes.
Do You Have To Add Oil When Cooking Bacon On a Flat Top Grill?
No, there is no need of adding oil to bacon. The food is fatty and releases sufficient fat during cooking. Excess fat that makes the bacon float won’t result in a crispy texture.
How to Cook Bacon On a Flat Top Grill?
Remove it From the Fridge a Few Minutes Before Cooking Time
Before you begin cooking the bacon, remove it from the fridge a couple of minutes before the cooking time; about 15 minutes.
Preheat the Flat Top Grill
Turn on the grill and preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10 minutes. Such heat level is sufficient to produce crispy portions of bacon.
Load the Bacon Strips
Load the bacon strips on the flat grill. Do not congest the cooking surface and make sure each strip lays flat on the flat cooking surface.
Cook the first side for about 7 to 10 minutes, depending on how thick and crispy you want the bacon to get.
Flip Over
After that, using a spatula flip over the strips to cook the other side. Note that the second side won’t take much time as the first side (approximately half the time). Thus keep checking on it. You’ll need to cook the second side for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Line the Plate With a Paper Towel
Line up your plate with a paper towel. Then using a perforated spatula carefully remove the bacon strips from the flat top grill to the plate. Serve with your favorite side dish.
How Do You Know the Bacon is Ready on a Flat Top Grill?
When cooking steak on a flat top grill[ how to cook steak on a flat top grill], you can check the readiness of the steak using a meat thermometer. However, the same testing method doesn’t apply to thin slices of bacon. The best way to check on their readiness is by physical observation.
While cooking, if the color of bacon changes to brown and crispy appearance, that’s a sure sign it’s is ready.
Conclusion
Cooking bacon on a flat top grill is easy and has several benefits. Besides accepting a large volume of bacon, flipping the slices and managing molten fat is easier. The even heating effect of the grill also produce an evenly cooked and crispy bacon. Why not give it a try today?