There’s nothing quite like the smell of sizzling bacon in the morning, but it’s not so pleasant when that aroma lingers throughout your home for hours on end.
If you’re tired of the lingering scent of bacon grease, there are a few simple tricks you can use to cook bacon without filling your home with its strong odor.
From baking it in the oven to using DIY air fresheners, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to cook bacon without smelling up the house.
How To Cook Bacon Without Smelling Up The House?
One of the best ways to cook bacon without filling your home with its strong odor is to bake it in the oven. This method is easy and requires minimal cleanup. Simply preheat your oven to 400°F, line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil, and lay out the desired number of bacon slices. Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until it’s cooked to your level of crispiness. It will cook perfectly on both sides, no need to flip it!
Another way to contain the smoke and prevent it from smelling up the place is to cook bacon in an enclosed space like the microwave. Simply lay strips of bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and cover with another paper towel. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes or until it’s cooked to your desired level of crispiness.
If you’re concerned about the lingering smell of bacon grease, DIYing an air freshener is a quick answer for getting rid of stubborn odor. You probably have items in your pantry you can use. 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.
Why Does Bacon Smell So Strong?
Bacon is a universally loved food item, and its scent is often associated with mouth-watering deliciousness. However, the strong smell of bacon can be overwhelming and linger in your home long after you’ve finished cooking. The compounds that give frying bacon its aroma are a result of the Maillard reaction, in which sugars in the foodstuff are broken down by reaction with amino acids as heating occurs. In addition, other volatile compounds are produced due to the thermal breakdown of fat molecules. Nitrite used in the curing process of smoked bacon can also react with the fatty acids and fats present in bacon on heating, leading to a higher percentage of nitrogen-containing compounds than in standard pork meat.
Researchers have identified several volatile compounds present in both bacon and pork aromas, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes. However, some compounds are present exclusively in bacon, such as 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, and 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine. These nitrogen-containing compounds play a major role in bacon’s scent and are likely responsible for its strong aroma when cooked. Other compounds identified as having a “meaty” scent were also isolated.
While it’s disappointing that there isn’t a single compound responsible for bacon’s aroma, understanding the science behind it can help us find ways to cook it without filling our homes with its strong smell. By using methods like baking it in the oven or cooking it in an enclosed space like the microwave and using DIY air fresheners like cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract or essential oils, we can enjoy the deliciousness of bacon without the overwhelming scent lingering in our homes.
Baking Bacon In The Oven
Baking bacon in the oven is a popular method because it’s easy, low-mess, and produces crispy bacon without the need for constant attention. To begin, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper. Place your desired number of bacon slices on the sheet, making sure they don’t overlap too much.
One important tip is to place the bacon in a cold oven that has not been preheated. This allows the bacon to slowly heat up and render its fat, resulting in a crispier texture. Once the bacon is in the oven, then start preheating it to 400°F. Bake the bacon for 18-20 minutes or until it’s cooked to your desired level of crispiness.
The cook time will vary depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. Thin-cut bacon typically takes 12 minutes at 400°F, while thicker cuts may take up to 20 minutes. If you’re cooking more than one pan of bacon, rotate them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Once the bacon is done, use tongs to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. If you want to save the bacon grease for cooking, let it cool for 10 minutes and then transfer it to a jar.
Using A Bacon Cooker
Another option for cooking bacon without the strong odor is to use a bacon cooker. These handy devices come in various shapes and sizes, but they all work by allowing the bacon to cook in its own juices, which reduces the amount of smoke and grease in the air.
To use a bacon cooker, simply place the desired number of bacon strips on the rack or tray of the cooker. Some models may require you to preheat the cooker before adding the bacon. Once the bacon is in place, close the lid or cover and turn on the cooker. The bacon will cook evenly and quickly without any need for flipping or turning.
One advantage of using a bacon cooker is that it reduces the mess and cleanup associated with cooking bacon on a stovetop or in an oven. The grease is contained within the cooker, making it easy to dispose of once it cools down.
However, it’s important to note that not all bacon cookers are created equal. Some may not cook the bacon evenly or may require more time than others. It’s important to read reviews and do research before purchasing a bacon cooker to ensure that it will meet your needs.
Cooking Bacon On The Stovetop With Proper Ventilation
Cooking bacon on the stovetop can be a bit tricky, but with proper ventilation, you can prevent the smell from filling your home. One of the first things you should do is turn on your range hood to help vent any smoke and keep bacon smells under control. If you don’t have a range hood, you can use a stovetop fan to help ventilate the area and reduce smells.
Another important tip is to fry the bacon on medium or low heat to keep the bacon drippings from smoking. This will also help prevent the bacon from overcooking and becoming too crispy. Additionally, it is important to leave the exhaust fan above your stove running before, during, and after cooking so it can suck up unwanted odors.
To further reduce the smell, keeping windows open will allow fresh air to circulate throughout the house and carry the bacon stench out right out the window. It is also recommended to use gadgets like a mesh screen or Fry Wall to protect yourself from grease spatters.
If you follow these tips, you can cook delicious bacon on the stovetop without worrying about filling your home with its strong odor.
DIY Air Fresheners To Combat Bacon Odor
There are several DIY air fresheners you can make to combat the strong odor of bacon. One option is to create a simmer pot on your stove with natural ingredients. Throw in odor-fighting items like a cinnamon stick or orange and lemon peels, add fragrant spices like clove, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice, and a couple of drops of an essential oil like lavender, peppermint, or lemongrass. Let the water simmer for a few minutes, and your house will smell delicious, without a hint of bacon anywhere.
Another way to freshen up the air is to make homemade air fresheners. You can use essential oils, natural-smelling candles or fragrant houseplants to keep the air feeling natural. Fresh herbs are also a great option for a lingering smell. You can also invest in an air purifier to help freshen up the air.
If you want to neutralize the scent of bacon, you can leave a bowl of bread to soak in vinegar on the countertop for a few hours. This will help neutralize the scent. You could also put a pot of apple cider potpourri on the stove to simmer. The aromatic combination of citrus, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise is powerful enough to get rid of any stench. Placing cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract in the rooms that stink is another effective DIY air freshener.
Lastly, placing bowls of unused, dry ground coffee around your kitchen is another way to absorb odors while also scenting the air like coffee. With these DIY air fresheners, you can enjoy your bacon without worrying about the lingering smell.