Best Bacon Cooker for Microwave: Racks, Trays and Lidded Dishes

The best bacon cooker for a microwave is the Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid if you want a compact, proven design that fits small microwaves and contains splatter, and the ONEMORE ceramic bacon tray with lid if you want a larger dish with a more modern, easier-to-clean surface. Both lift the bacon off the pooling grease, which is the whole point of a microwavable bacon cooker: the strips cook in a few minutes, the fat drains away from the meat and your stovetop stays clean. This guide compares six main picks and four alternatives by capacity, material, cleaning effort and how well they suit different microwave sizes.

This is a research-based guide. We did not personally use these products, and we do not claim our own cooking results. We compared maker descriptions and listing details, and we checked a few specifications such as the Nordic Ware dimensions on the maker’s pages. Where a detail is not stated, we write “not listed”. We use tier words (Budget, Mid-range, Premium) instead of prices because prices change often.

Our top picks

Top pickONEMORE Microwave Bacon Tray with Lid Ceramic

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Also greatONEMORE Microwave Bacon Tray Ceramic Bacon Cooker

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Also greatMicrowave Bacon Cooker Tray with Vented Lid

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Also greatFox Run Microwave Bacon Rack/Cooker

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Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid
• Best Ceramic Option: ONEMORE Microwave Bacon Tray with Lid
• Best Classic Dish: The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Dish
• Best for Bigger Batches: PrepSolutions Microwaveable Bacon Grill
• Best Multi-Use Tray: Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray and Food Defroster
• Best Budget Flat Rack: Fox Run Microwave Bacon Rack

Comparison Table

1. Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid: Best Overall

• Dimensions: 10.25 x 8 x 2 inches overall; the cooking surface is smaller (about 7.6 x 8.8 inches per the maker’s pages)
• Material: BPA-free high-heat plastic, made in the USA, per the maker
• Lid: vented, microwave use only
• Base: microwave and oven safe to 400 degrees F per the maker; lid is for microwave use only
• Cleaning: the maker’s current wording recommends hand washing; some retailers say top-rack dishwasher safe, so follow the maker

Best for: one to two people cooking 3 to 5 strips at a time in a typical household microwave. Skip if: you often cook a full pound of bacon at a time.

Nordic Ware has made microwave cookware for decades, and this rack is a compact version of the idea that every other product here copies: angled ridges lift the bacon off the base so grease collects below, and a vented lid keeps splatter inside the dish. The overall size is small enough to fit in even a compact microwave, which makes it one of the few dishes here that works in a dorm, an office breakroom or an RV.

The details matter. The cooking surface is smaller than the outside dimensions, so strips that overhang the edge can sit against the lid or the microwave and may be exposed to concentrated heat. Cut strips in half or fold the ends in if they are long. A reviewer on one retailer even warned that overhanging slices can warp the lighter lid plastic, which is consistent with the maker’s guidance to use the lid for the microwave only.

The cleaning guidance is a good example of conflicting information. The maker’s own page recommends hand washing, while some retailer pages say top rack dishwasher safe. When in doubt, follow the manufacturer, because it is the most current source. Hand washing with warm soapy water is easy because the plastic is smooth.

Pros:

• Compact footprint fits small microwaves
• Vented lid reduces splatter
• BPA-free plastic, per the maker
• Budget price tier

Cons:

• Small capacity
• Hand wash recommended by the maker
• Plastic can stain with grease over time

2. ONEMORE Microwave Bacon Tray with Lid: Best Ceramic Option

• Material: ceramic
• Size: 11 inches (round)
• Lid: included on this version; a no-lid 11 inch tray is also sold at a lower tier
• Use: microwave; listed for oven cooking too

Best for: people who prefer ceramic to plastic and want to cook slightly more at a time. Skip if: you are worried about dropping it or storing a heavier dish.

Ceramic cookware stays smooth, does not hold onto odor as easily as plastic and usually looks nicer on a counter. ONEMORE’s tray is described as a bacon maker that lifts the strips off the base, and the version with a lid adds splatter control. At 11 inches round, it holds more strips than the compact Nordic Ware rack.

The tradeoffs are weight and breakability. A ceramic dish is heavier to carry out of a hot microwave and will break if dropped on a hard floor. It also gets hot, so use oven mitts. The listing also mentions oven cooking, but we recommend following any temperature limits printed on the product or packaging, because the information in our research does not give them.

Pros:

• Ceramic surface that cleans easily
• Lidded option for splatter control
• Larger 11 inch size

Cons:

• Heavier and breakable
• Temperature limits not listed in our research

3. The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Dish: Best Classic Dish

• Design: ridged dish that holds strips off the base
• Claim: makes crispy bacon in minutes and reduces fat on the strips, per the maker
• Material and capacity: not fully listed in our data

Best for: bacon fans who want a no-nonsense, established microwave dish. Skip if: you want a lid or exact dimensions up front.

Makin Bacon is one of the originals of the microwave bacon cooker category, and its pitch has not changed: crisp, evenly cooked strips with the grease running off. The listing emphasizes simplicity, and that is what it offers. Because the dimensions and material were not fully listed in our research, treat it as a trusted-name choice and check the product label for size before assuming it fits your microwave.

A dish like this works because bacon cooks in its own fat when it lies flat on a plate. Lifting it on ridges lets fat run down and away, so the strips fry less and cook more like they are on a rack in an oven. Cover with a paper towel to catch splatter, since this dish is sold without a lid.

Pros:

• Long-established design
• Simple ridged dish that is easy to wash
• Mid-range price tier

Cons:

• Specs not fully listed
• Needs a paper towel or cover for splatter

4. PrepSolutions Microwaveable Bacon Grill: Best for Bigger Batches

• Capacity: cooks 7 to 9 pieces of bacon, per the listing
• Material: BPA-free per the listing
• Use: breakfast, lunch or dinner, per the maker

Best for: families or meal preppers who want 7 to 9 strips per batch. Skip if: your microwave is small or your cabinets are tight.

If the Nordic Ware rack feels small, this grill is the capacity upgrade. Seven to nine strips is enough for two or three people in one round, which saves repeated cooking cycles. A larger grill takes more room in the microwave, so measure your turntable before buying. A rack that is too wide for the turntable will either stop it from rotating or hit the walls, which can cause uneven cooking.

The listing highlights BPA-free construction and quick meals, but not a lid. Cover it with a microwave-safe paper towel or a vented cover to keep splatter in.

Pros:

• Higher capacity
• BPA-free, per the listing
• Mid-range price tier

Cons:

• Takes more space
• No lid listed

5. Nordic Ware Microwave Bacon Tray and Food Defroster: Best Multi-Use Tray

• Design: bacon tray that doubles as a food defroster
• Dimensions and material: not listed in the data we verified

Best for: cooks who want one tray to cook bacon and to defrost meat. Skip if: you want a lid for splatter control.

The second Nordic Ware product in our list is a flatter tray with a dual role. The defroster function is useful if you thaw frozen bacon, ground meat or other foods and want a surface that lifts them off pooling liquid. Because the listing does not state dimensions, check the product label for size before you buy if capacity matters.

Pros:

• Two uses in one tray
• Established brand

Cons:

• No lid in the listing
• Dimensions not verified

6. Fox Run Microwave Bacon Rack: Best Budget Flat Rack

• Size: 8 x 9.75 x 0.5 inches
• Colour: white; material not listed beyond the product name
• Design: flat rack, no lid

Best for: small kitchens, storage drawers and low-cost trial. Skip if: splatter containment matters.

At half an inch tall, this is the slimmest design in the guide, and that makes it easy to store in a drawer. The tradeoff is that there is no lid and little depth, so grease can overflow if you cook a lot of strips. Place it on a plate or a microwave-safe tray to catch spills and cover with a paper towel.

Pros:

• Slim and easy to store
• Budget price tier
• Known dimensions

Cons:

• No lid
• Shallow, so grease may overflow

Also Consider

ONEMORE Microwave Bacon Tray (no lid)

The same 11 inch ceramic design without a lid, at a lower tier. A good choice if you plan to cover it with a paper towel anyway.

WUYIHUACHEN Silicone Microwave Bacon Tray (10 inch)

A food-grade silicone tray listed with tongs and oil-absorbing paper. Silicone is light and flexible and easy to store, but it can be floppy to lift when full of hot grease.

HMZXSY Glass Microwave Bacon Cooker

A glass cooker with a silicone lid and skewers, listed in a large 100 oz size. It suits batch cooking and meal prep, but it is bulkier and priced in the premium range.

Nordic Ware 11 inch Microwave Bacon and Meat Rack

A larger white rack from the same maker, good for cooking more strips in a bigger microwave.

How We Chose

This guide is research-based. We compared maker descriptions and listing details, verified a few key specifications on the maker’s own pages, and weighed the practical points that matter in a microwave: size, material, whether a lid is included and how the dish is cleaned. We did not personally use these products and do not report cooking times we measured. We included no more than two products from any one brand and covered Budget and Mid-range with one Premium alternative.

The sources we relied on include Nordic Ware’s product pages, the listing details for ONEMORE, Makin Bacon, PrepSolutions, Fox Run and others, and general microwave cooking guidance from food safety publications. Anything we could not confirm is labelled “not listed”.

Buying Guide

Check the size of your microwave first

Measure the inside of your microwave and the diameter of the turntable. Most home microwaves have a turntable between 9 and 13 inches, and the rack needs to clear the walls while the plate turns. Compact racks such as the 10.25 x 8 inch Nordic Ware fit nearly everywhere; 11 inch round trays need a standard-size microwave; larger grills need a family-size unit. A rack that does not turn freely will cook unevenly.

Pick a material that fits your cleaning habits

Plastic is light, cheap and microwave-safe if labelled as such, but it can stain and may warp if misused. Ceramic and glass stay smooth and do not hold odors, but they are heavy and breakable. Silicone is flexible and easy to store but can be awkward to lift when hot. Whatever you choose, look for a “microwave safe” mark and follow the maker’s guidance on dishwasher use.

Decide whether you need a lid

Bacon spits fat. A lidded rack keeps the microwave cleaner and saves paper towels. Lids with vents let steam escape and prevent pressure build-up. If you choose a dish without a lid, cover it with a microwave-safe paper towel, and never use plastic wrap without checking that it is rated for the purpose.

Think about capacity and batch size

A small rack holds about 3 to 5 regular strips, while the larger grill claims 7 to 9. If you cook for one, a compact rack is perfect. For a family, consider a larger tray or cook in two rounds. Thick-cut bacon takes longer and needs more space per strip.

Cooking tips and safety

Cooking times vary widely with microwave wattage, bacon thickness and the dish, so start with the maker’s directions, then adjust in 30-second steps. Bacon can overheat quickly and catch fire if left too long, so never leave the microwave unattended, and let the dish rest a minute before lifting it because the grease is hot. Use oven mitts and pour grease into a heat-safe container, not down the drain. Keep strips from overhanging the edge of the rack, and handle ceramics and glass carefully because they can crack with sudden temperature changes.

Rack vs Plate vs Oven: Which Method Fits You

A microwave bacon cooker is a convenience tool, not a replacement for every other method, so it helps to know where it fits. Cooking bacon on a plate lined with paper towels is the cheapest approach, but the strips sit in their own fat and often finish chewy at the edges and soft in the middle. A rack lifts the strips so fat drains down and the surface cooks more evenly. The oven on a sheet pan with a rack gives the most consistent result for a large batch, but it needs preheating and cleanup of a big pan. A skillet gives the best flavor and browning, but it spatters the stovetop.

The times above are rough ranges and depend on thickness and equipment. The takeaway is that a microwave cooker wins on speed and cleanup for small portions. If you regularly cook more than about nine strips at a time, a larger grill or the oven method may suit you better. For households that eat bacon several times a week, a dedicated rack also pays for itself in saved paper towels and a cleaner microwave.

A word on healthy cooking: any method that lets fat drain away from the strips reduces how much grease sits around the meat, but bacon remains a processed, high-sodium food. If you have dietary restrictions or a medical condition that affects what you should eat, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. This guide covers cookware, not nutrition advice.

How to care for a bacon cooker so it lasts

Let the dish cool before washing, because a sudden change in temperature can crack ceramic and glass and can warp thin plastic. Soak stuck-on grease for a few minutes in warm soapy water, then wipe with a soft sponge instead of steel wool, which scratches plastic and ceramic glazes. Dry fully before storing. If a plastic rack develops a lasting orange tint from grease, a paste of baking soda and water left on for a while often lifts it. Replace any dish that cracks, chips or warps, since damaged cookware can heat unevenly or break in use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a dish that is not labelled microwave safe. Some materials can warp, spark or crack.
• Overlapping strips. This traps fat and leads to uneven cooking.
• Cooking at full time in one go. Check early and add time in short steps.
• Ignoring the maker’s cleaning guidance. Hand wash if the maker says so.
• Skipping the cover. Splatter sticks to the microwave and takes longer to clean than the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bacon cooker for a microwave?

The Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid is the best overall choice in this guide because it is compact, vented and affordable. If you prefer ceramic and a larger size, the ONEMORE tray with lid is the best alternative.

Does a microwavable bacon cooker really make crispy bacon?

These dishes raise the strips off the pooling fat, which helps them cook more evenly and crisp better than lying flat on a plate. How crisp they get still depends on your microwave wattage, strip thickness and cooking time.

How long does bacon take in a microwave bacon cooker?

Typically a few minutes for a handful of strips, but times vary with the microwave and bacon thickness. Follow the maker’s directions and start with a shorter time, adding 30 seconds at a time.

Are microwave bacon cookers safe?

They are designed for microwave use when labelled microwave safe, but bacon grease gets very hot. Use oven mitts, do not leave the microwave unattended and follow the maker’s guidance.

Can I put a bacon cooker in the dishwasher?

It depends on the product. Nordic Ware’s current guidance recommends hand washing for its plastic rack, while some retailers say top rack. Follow the instructions that came with your product.

Do I need a lid on a bacon cooker?

A lid contains splatter and keeps the microwave cleaner, but it is not essential. Without one, cover the dish with a microwave-safe paper towel.

Can I cook other foods in a bacon rack?

Many racks are marketed for other meats, and some, like the Nordic Ware tray, double as defrosters. Check the product description, and cook meats thoroughly according to food safety guidance.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Nordic Ware Bacon Rack with Lid if you want a simple, affordable, compact pick for everyday use. Choose the ONEMORE ceramic tray with lid if you want ceramic and a larger surface. Go for the PrepSolutions grill if you cook for a family, Makin Bacon if you want the classic ridged dish, the Nordic Ware tray and defroster if you also thaw food, and the Fox Run rack if you want something slim and cheap. Measure your microwave first, since fit is the one thing that no review can decide for you.

Sources

• Nordic Ware product pages for the Compact Bacon Rack and tray lines
• ONEMORE, Makin Bacon, PrepSolutions (Progressive) and Fox Run product listings
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance on cooking bacon and microwave food safety
• Independent kitchen equipment publications on microwave cookware

Last updated: October 2026