Have you ever heard someone say the phrase “bacon goes on everything”? Well, that’s because bacon is truly one of the most versatile meats out there, and not just because you can add it to almost anything. You can also cook bacon in several different ways, including our favorite method, on the grill. Check out these tips and tricks on how to make perfect bacon on your grill!
Step 1: Picking Your Favorite Bacon
Whether you prefer thick cuts to thin ones, Applewood or Hickory smoked, there are plenty of types of bacon for you to choose from. How you plan on serving your bacon can play a big role in the kind that you should get. Those thick cuts would serve well as a stand-alone dish in a hearty breakfast, while thinner cuts are the perfect complement to a burger or wrapped around veggies. Whatever you choose, you really can’t go wrong with any style!
Step 2: Avoiding Grease Splatters
We all know how much the smell of bacon can capture your whole house, so grilling it outside is the perfect solution to that problem. But, one thing you’ll always have to worry about with bacon is the amount of grease that comes from it. When grilling, bacon grease could cause flare ups if it splatters onto the burners. The cure for this lies in aluminum baking sheets or baking pans. By placing the pan above the burner, you won’t have to worry about getting your grill grates dirty or any potential flare ups. If you want to take this a step further and avoid excess grease in your bacon, you can also set a rack on your baking pan, allowing the grease to drip off from the elevated surface.
Step 3: Grilling the Bacon
Before you get started, it’s always important to have your grill preheated to a medium-high heat. By preheating, you ensure a consistent temperature from the start, allowing the bacon to be cooked thoroughly. When the grill is adequately preheated, it’s time to get the show on the road! Place a few strips of bacon on your rack or aluminum pan, then place that on the grill. Once you close the lid, the grill will act as an oven, cooking your bacon at a medium-high heat. You can lift the lid occasionally to check on the doneness of the bacon, but keep this to a minimum. (It’s important to be careful when cooking bacon – due to the high grease content, flare-ups are a possibility, so be prepared just in case!) In about 15 to 20 minutes, you’ll have some delicious bacon to add to any meal of your choosing!
To make your bacon grilling experience even easier, try the Non-Stick Bacon Griller rack from Mr. Bar-B-Q. The angled surface drains grease for a healthier, tastier, and crispier bacon, while the grease tray catches any remaining liquid to help prevent flare-ups.
Step 4: Clean Up
The final step in any cookout is cleaning up. Luckily, bacon on the grill might be one of the easiest foods to tidy up. Before throwing away your aluminum pan, let any leftover bacon grease cool slightly and pour it into a small container that you plan on throwing away. If you know you’ll be cooking bacon often, simply keep that container for future use. However, do not be tempted to pour leftover grease down the drain, as it can clog and cause other, bigger problems. If there are any other marks or bits of food on your grill from previous use, use a grill brush to scrape them off. If you have a little extra time on your hands, follow our steps for tuning up your grill. Once you’re done, you’re ready to relax and enjoy a clean grill the next time you’re ready for a cookout.
Bacon finds its way into a lot of meals, and now that you can make it on the grill, you’ll never have to worry about its smell or the hassle of making it on your stovetop. Check out all the great recipes you can add a little bacon to on our recipes page, and head to our Propane Finder for the closest location carrying Blue Rhino!
Published: 2019.11.19