Flattening Bacon Without a Grill Press: Fixing 10 Pounds Quickly

[MomToEli]

If I don't have the grill press is there a way to make my fried bacon stay flat? I have to fix up 10 pounds of bacon for our Mid Sized group tonight and I can't cook it in the oven fast enough!

 

[Dawn4]

I don't use a grille press. I use a new brick that I wrap in aluminum foil.

 

[MomToEli]

I never thought of that, Dawn. Of course, I don't have one of those handy right now

That would be AWESOME for camping, too! Thanks!

 

[JAE]

Wow, that's a lot of bacon. What are you doing on here? I don't know about the press, but you could fry, microwave, and bake at the same time. You could fry in two or three pans at once, can't you? If you have an electric griddle, you could use that too.
Do you have any air freshener on hand? (Sorry, I'm just a little too relaxed right now.)

 

[Dawn4]

How about a heavy cast iron frying pan. Do you have one of those?? Just be careful because it will get really hot!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Wow, that's a lot of bacon. What are you doing on here? I don't know about the press, but you could fry, microwave, and bake at the same time. You could fry in two or three pans at once, can't you? If you have an electric griddle, you could use that too.
Do you have any air freshener on hand? (Sorry, I'm just a little too relaxed right now.)

Ha! I was thinking the same thing! Actually I was just thinking that the neighbors would be able to smell the bacon! And continue smelling it for a couple days!

Sorry I don't have any bright ideas for you Sandy!

 

[DMB75]

I usually don't fly my bacon. I bake it in the oven and it stays flat in there. I find that it makes it nice and crisp in the oven.

 

[MomToEli]

I've done several batches in the microwave, but that beast is getting incredibly HOT. I've had GE out here once already and the repair guy said it was fine - that is was the surge supressor that was bad, not that the micro fried the strip. I'm really doubting that. Anyway, I have to let that rest awhile.

I want it to be flat (which is why I asked the question in the first place) because it will go further.

We are making BLT sandwiches tonight for like 35 adults and some kids. I'm figuring 50 sandwiches! What WAS my husband thinking when he came up with this bright idea? Oh, I know ... he was thinking that HE would be at work while all this cooking was going on ... :balloon:

Anyway, the oven has been going - using my stones and all my other cookie sheets that I haven't gotten rid of yet. Am I right that I can only use the stones up to 350? Can I use them in a 400 degree oven?

Anyway, I've cranked it to 400 and am using metal pans with racks in them. Supposed to take about 15 minutes that way ...

And I DO smell like bacon. And so does my house!

ETA: Only on here while waiting on the oven ...

 

[BethCooks4U]

Stones can go to about 425 degrees so definitely 400 would work! (The recipe for the cinnamon chips/tortilla chips calls for 400 degrees)

 

[JAE]

I thought stones could be in an oven no higher than 500. I bake at 475 all the time.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I always do my bacon at 425 for 20 minutes.

 

[MomToEli]

Okay, that helps. I'll add the bar pan back into the lineup ...

Thanks, girls!

 

[JAE]

I thought stones could be in an oven no higher than 500. I bake at 475 all the time.

I can't find the maximum temperature in the product use and care. I baked my bacon at 425 for about 25 minutes, and I think I'll go for a higher temp next time. It wasn't crispy enough except for one corner. My oven does not cook evenly. VERY annoying! (But I like the 12" burner option, specifically for my family skillet.)