Bacon is a breakfast staple that many of us can’t live without. But let’s face it, the smell of cooking bacon can linger in your home for hours, and not everyone enjoys the scent.
Luckily, there are ways to cook bacon without the overwhelming odor. In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks to help you cook bacon without the smell, so you can enjoy your breakfast without any unwanted scents.
From baking in the oven to DIY air fresheners, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get started!
How To Cook Bacon Without Smell?
1. Bake it in the oven
One of the easiest ways to cook bacon without the smell is to bake it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Lay the bacon onto the foil in a single layer and cook it in the oven for about 18 to 22 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan, and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb grease. This method not only eliminates the smell, but it also makes for easy cleanup.
2. Use a convection setting
If you prefer a low and slow method, use the convection setting on your oven and bake it at 425°F. This will ensure that your bacon is cooked evenly and crispy without any unwanted smells.
3. Use a cookie rack
To make sure your bacon stays crispy, put it on a cookie rack in the cookie sheet, so it stays out of the grease. It crisps up much better that way.
4. DIY air fresheners
If you want to get rid of any lingering smells, DIYing an air freshener is a quick answer. Soak some cotton balls with vanilla extract and place them around your kitchen. If you have any essential oil, put a few drops on some cotton balls for a fresh, odor-free kitchen.
5. Contain the smell
The best way to keep that bacon smell out of the rest of the house is to close the doors to other rooms and close the door to the kitchen when cooking. Then, hopefully, the smell will stay there and not travel.
Why Does Bacon Smell?
The smell of bacon is one of the most irresistible scents in the culinary world. But what exactly causes this mouth-watering aroma? The answer lies in the Maillard Reaction. When the sugar and amino acids in bacon mix, they undergo a chemical reaction that produces around 150 aroma compounds. These compounds are responsible for the unique smell of sizzling bacon.
The majority of these aroma compounds are hydrocarbons and aldehydes, both of which give off alluring aromas. But the real powerhouse in bacon’s incredible aroma is the nitrogen-containing compound pyridine. When combined with hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and other odor compounds, they become the major contributor to bacon-y goodness.
Bacon cured in brine or salt produces a higher percentage of nitrates, which deepens the meaty smell when heated. The effect is stronger when you don’t trim off the fat as there are more chemicals to react with each other.
In addition to chemical reactions, positive thinking can also play a role in why we love the smell of bacon so much. Many people associate bacon with a weekend treat or something they don’t have time for during the week. So you may associate the bacon smell or your bacon sandwich with free time and lie-ins at the weekend, making bacon even more tempting.
Baking Bacon In The Oven
Baking bacon in the oven is a foolproof way to cook bacon without the mess and smell. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. This will make for easy cleanup.
2. Lay the bacon onto the foil in a single layer. Make sure the bacon strips are close together but not touching.
3. Bake the bacon in the oven for about 18 to 22 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. You can also try baking it at 375°F for 20 minutes, 425°F for 15 minutes, or 450°F for 12 minutes.
4. Remove the bacon from the pan, and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb grease.
5. If you want to make sure your bacon stays crispy, put it on a cookie rack in the cookie sheet, so it stays out of the grease. It crisps up much better that way.
Baking bacon in the oven eliminates the mess and smell that comes with cooking bacon on a stovetop frying pan. Plus, you can cook a large batch of bacon without having to do any kind of cleanup! If you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate or freeze them and reheat them later. To reheat cooked bacon, just put it on a paper towel and microwave until sizzling.
Grilling Bacon Outdoors
Grilling bacon outdoors is another great option for cooking bacon without filling your home with the smell. This method is also perfect for those who want to enjoy the outdoors and cook their meals outside.
To grill bacon, preheat your grill to a medium heat (about 325°F). Brush the grill grates with a neutral oil that has a high smoke point, such as canola or grapeseed oil, to prevent sticking. Lay the bacon slices on the hot grill grates using long tongs and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Next, reduce the heat to low and flip the bacon over. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease.
It’s important to note that the total cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the thickness of the bacon. If you’re using thick-sliced bacon with indirect heat, it will take about 10 minutes (give or take a few minutes) to cook.
Grilling bacon outdoors not only eliminates the smell but also adds a smoky flavor that’s hard to beat. Plus, it’s a great option for those who want to avoid cooking indoors during hot summer months or when there’s no power in the house.
Using A Bacon Cooker
Another great way to cook bacon without the smell is to use a bacon cooker. There are a variety of bacon cookers available on the market, such as an air fryer or a microwave bacon cooker. These devices are specifically designed to cook bacon quickly and efficiently without producing any unwanted odors.
One popular option is the air fryer, such as the Ninja Foodi grill. Simply place the bacon in the air fryer basket and set the temperature and time according to the instructions. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly crispy bacon without any smoke or smell. Plus, clean-up is a breeze.
Another option is a microwave bacon cooker, which allows you to cook bacon in the microwave without any mess or fuss. Simply lay the bacon strips on the rack, cover with the lid, and microwave for a few minutes until crispy. This method not only eliminates the smell, but it also reduces splatters and grease.
Regardless of which bacon cooker you choose, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and always use caution when handling hot items. With a bacon cooker, you can enjoy delicious and crispy bacon without any unwanted smells or mess.
Cooking Bacon In A Microwave
Cooking bacon in a microwave is a quick and easy way to cook bacon without the smell. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the bacon
Line a microwave-safe plate with 3 layers of paper towels. Place the bacon on top of the paper towels, without overlapping. Cover with another 2 layers of paper towels.
2. Microwave on high
Microwave the bacon on high for 4 to 6 minutes for crispy bacon. Pause and check on your bacon halfway through, depending on your bacon thickness and microwave model, you may need less time.
3. Let it cool
Once the bacon is done, remove it from the microwave and let it cool for a minute or two before serving.
4. Save the grease
With this method, you can easily save your bacon grease. Just let it cool in the baking dish after cooking and removing your bacon, and strain into a jar or heatproof container.
While this method is quick and easy, there are some cons to consider. The bacon may have a slightly odd taste, and because you’re microwaving it on paper towels to minimize mess, you won’t be able to save all of the rendered bacon fat. Additionally, there may be no chew on the final bacon, just crispiness, which may not be to everyone’s liking.
Making A DIY Air Freshener
If you want to make your own DIY air freshener to eliminate any unwanted smells in your kitchen, it’s easy and cost-effective. You probably have items in your pantry that you can use for this purpose.
One option is to soak some cotton balls with vanilla extract and place them around your kitchen. Vanilla has a sweet and pleasant scent that can help mask any lingering bacon odor.
Another option is to use essential oils. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on some cotton balls and place them around your kitchen. Lavender, lemon, and peppermint are great options for eliminating odors and creating a fresh-smelling environment.
You can also make homemade sprays infused with odor-elimination ingredients such as lemons or lavender. Simply mix water, vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle and use it to freshen up any room in your house.
Using these DIY air freshener methods will not only eliminate the bacon smell but also create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere in your home.
