Bacon?

[Scoundrel]

Yeah, I know.&nbsp; It's almost as unhealthy as smoking.&nbsp; But, I love my bacon.<br><br>Is there a good way to cook it in a van that won't get grease all over everything?

 

[VanHalen]

<p>Why bother? Channel your inner Neanderthal and eat it raw!<br><br>You can buy those bags of pre-cooked bacon crumbles to get your fix, if you have to. It's not as satisfying, but... no grease splatters.You could cook outside of the van, whenever possible, or try to minimize inside damage with a lid. Or cover everything in your vehicle in plastic wrap before breakfast. <br><br>I have heard about people baking their bacon instead of frying it, at least in "normal" housing situations, with a legitimate oven. So if you have--or care enough to acquire--one of those little 12v RoadPro ovens, it might work just as well and keep the grease contained.</p><p>But I have never actually lived in a van. <br>AND I'm a vegetarian. <br><br>I'm entirely unqualified to give sound advice on this topic.<br><br></p><p>Good luck!</p>

 

[Zil]

After years of fried bacon, I now put slices in the Microwave, between paper towels, two or three slices at 2 min on high, cooks while doing the eggs.

 

[VanFan]

Have you tried the pre-cooked, shelf stable (until opened) bacon?<br>Vickie

 

[Zil]

Pre cooked is good, but costly. It keeps until opened, I wish the individual packs were smaller.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We've had pretty good results with one of the splatter screens you lay on the skillet.

 

[VanHalen]

Wow, I'd never even heard of splatter screens. How handy! I'll have to keep those in mind when I start my own vandwelling adventures.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We found them at Family Dollar. 2 in the pack were pretty cheap. They''ll even a regular kitchen cleaner <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[adi]

As someone doing **** diet, my plan is to spend a day either at a park or campsite and cook a weeks worth of bacon/messy foods if I'm going to be in a spot where van cooking is the only option during weekdays.

At the house I line a cookie sheet with tinfoil, bacon on that, oven at 375F, 10 minutes, flip, 10 minues, done. I also dump the grease into my cast iron stuff to season them too.

But if forced to do it in the van, the splatter screens do look like the best option, and you could also cover your cooking surface with stainless steel (and maybe some sides too) for easier cleanup if it does get messy.

 

[VanHalen]

Hahaha, you could install one of those circular shower rods on the wall that will enclose you and your stove in a thick curtain whenever you're cooking bacon. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[wagoneer]

Zil has the best method IMH (If you have a Microwave) I cook outdoors not very stealthy but I have received free cooking tips and donations HaHa.<br><br>Headed up to Washoa state park May 19

 

[Scoundrel]

I've tried a spatter screen and wasn't impressed.&nbsp; Microwaves are useless.&nbsp; I haven't owned one for over 20 years.&nbsp; I think they make food taste bad.<br><br>I've been cooking bacon on a griddle and it does an awesome job, but it spatters all over.<br><br>I'll have to look into putting it in the oven.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We don't use our oven since its usually too damn hot where we are. I wouldn't want to clean bacon mess out of it anyway.<br>I'll stick with the ole splatter screen.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Wagoneer, I like cooking outdoors as much as possible. Coleman stove and a mini barbie makes a great kitchen.<br>My sailboat had a barbie on the back railing. I'd catch and release right onto the grill <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[fluffabear]

I just wanted to mention in passing the aerosol factor when cooking (the bit of grease that is carried into the air along with the steam). I would highly recommend cooking your bacon in advance if at all possible. (I am also a bacon lover!)

 

[highdesertranger]

ha ha ha catch and release right onto the grill I love it.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Scoundrel]

I guess cooking bacon outside is probably the best option.&nbsp; Weather permitting.

 

[Zil]

<span id="post_message_1277792509">"I've tried a spatter screen and wasn't impressed.&nbsp; Microwaves are useless.&nbsp; I haven't owned one for over 20 years.&nbsp; I think they make food taste bad."<br><br>even bacon?<br><br>I think microwave cooking products have much improved over the past 20 years.<br>&nbsp;<br></span>

 

[Scoundrel]

Every time I have bacon from a microwave, it tastes like rubber.&nbsp; But, I also prefer it thick sliced and chewy, not thin and crispy.<br><br>Besides, microwave food is so costly when compared to to cooking the old fashion way.&nbsp; On that point, I saw a package of hash browns the other day, ready for the microwave that cost about the same as 5 pounds of potatoes!&nbsp; Doesn't make sense to me.&nbsp; Why pay extra for food when cooking it the old way tastes better?<br><br>Maybe I'm just a cheapskate.

 

[squirbel]

I don't think you are a cheapskate - the chemicals people buy with those ready made foods make it taste awful.

Anytime I eat processed foods I swear I can taste the chemicals!