Is A Bacon Press Worth It? Geoffrey Zakarian Gave Us His Honest Opinion - Tasting Table

"It turns out that Zakarian has never even used a bacon press. In fact, he admitted, "I have no idea what that is." If you're in a similar boat, a bacon press is basically an efficient grill press used specifically for bacon. A bacon press is typically made from cast iron or stainless steel, and the idea is that you use it to flatten the bacon against the grill or pan so that it cooks evenly."

"Bacon presses aren't exactly an essential item for home cooks, but they are used a lot in professional kitchens, especially in diners and greasy spoons. They're great for crisping bacon all over and creating a more uniform look. They can significantly speed up the cooking process, too. Many restaurants will also use presses to improve the texture of pre-cooked bacon, but Zakarian doesn't see the need."

Geoffrey Zakarian has never used a bacon press and described many single-use kitchen tools as a waste of money. A bacon press is an efficient grill press, typically cast iron or stainless steel, used to flatten bacon against a pan or grill for even cooking. Professional kitchens and diners often use presses to crisp bacon uniformly, speed cooking, and improve the texture of pre-cooked bacon. Bacon presses are bulky and heavy, making home storage and handling inconvenient. Cast iron presses require seasoning and maintenance that may deter occasional home cooks from purchasing one.

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