Really important bacon question.

[Georgetoon]

I have a 12 inch cast iron skillet and a 10 inch cast iron skillet.

If i fry bacon in the 12 inch skillet, can I use the 10 inch skillet as a bacon press?  Or maybe just buy a bacon press?

[chilly]

perfect
just make sure you clean the bottom of the 10" after
Or you could wrap a few housebricks in tinfoil

[µT6]

or not and enjoy a fire, wait, better not do that

last time i tried, it wasn't fun...   

deep inside there is a pyromaniac inside all of us, it was fun 

[chilly]

µT6 is talking about the skillet not the bricks

[Rudge]

George, make sure the 10" skillet is hot before you press and you are golden.

Wipe off the outside of the 10 inch skillet the same way you do the inside.

All of those surfaces need the same treatment, so you are doing a good job to expose the outside the same way.  

Sounds like you are on your way to discovering the true potential of cast iron.  

[Georgetoon]

George, make sure the 10" skillet is hot before you press and you are golden.

Wipe off the outside of the 10 inch skillet the same way you do the inside.

All of those surfaces need the same treatment, so you are doing a good job to expose the outside the same way.  

Sounds like you are on your way to discovering the true potential of cast iron.  

Thanks.:-)  only problem is, I need the 10 inch skillet for eggs while bacon is cooking.  A reviewer for $20.00 bacon press on amazon.com wrote, "Use the bottom of an 8 inch skillet...Less than $9.00 and easier to clean up than messing with the two screws.
weight is comparable to the bacon press."

So, yes, I'll use a skillet and yor tips...gives me an excuse tobuy another skillet.:-)

[Rudge]

George, make sure the 10" skillet is hot before you press and you are golden.

Wipe off the outside of the 10 inch skillet the same way you do the inside.

All of those surfaces need the same treatment, so you are doing a good job to expose the outside the same way.  

Sounds like you are on your way to discovering the true potential of cast iron.  

Thanks.:-)  only problem is, I need the 10 inch skillet for eggs while bacon is cooking.  A reviewer for $20.00 bacon press on amazon.com wrote, "Use the bottom of an 8 inch skillet...Less than $9.00 and easier to clean up than messing with the two screws.
weight is comparable to the bacon press."

So, yes, I'll use a skillet and yor tips...gives me an excuse tobuy another skillet.:-)

Can I ask you a question? What is the 10 inch skillet doing while it is pressing the bacon? I would think that eggs could fit.. 

[Georgetoon]

George, make sure the 10" skillet is hot before you press and you are golden.

Wipe off the outside of the 10 inch skillet the same way you do the inside.

All of those surfaces need the same treatment, so you are doing a good job to expose the outside the same way.  

Sounds like you are on your way to discovering the true potential of cast iron.  

Thanks.:-)  only problem is, I need the 10 inch skillet for eggs while bacon is cooking.  A reviewer for $20.00 bacon press on amazon.com wrote, "Use the bottom of an 8 inch skillet...Less than $9.00 and easier to clean up than messing with the two screws.
weight is comparable to the bacon press."

So, yes, I'll use a skillet and yor tips...gives me an excuse tobuy another skillet.:-)

Can I ask you a question? What is the 10 inch skillet doing while it is pressing the bacon? I would think that eggs could fit.. 

The 10 inch skillet has a handle in the front.  So, it fits, but just barely. 

The 8 inch has no handle in front and appears it will fit a bit more easily.

Plus, I've got that excuse thing going to justify buying another skillet.

However, your response generates another question..are you saying I can cook eggs in the skillet (being used as a bacon press) while it's pressing down on the bacon and sitting inside the larger skillet?

[µT6]

but preparing eggs in the smaller skillet, does it have enough time to heat up and cook the eggs?

[Ramchu]

If the skillet that is being used as the press is preheated
then applied to the bacon, then the eggs are put in the skillet
the eggs will cook at a slightly lower temp - sounds like a perfect
setup to me.

Actually I never thought of doing that - I will give it a try.

[YouCanToo]

Must be using some thin sliced bacon if you are having to use a press on it.  A good quality thick bacon needs no press. Personally I would never use a press on any meat I cook.

[Rudge]

Must be using some thin sliced bacon if you are having to use a press on it.  A good quality thick bacon needs no press. Personally I would never use a press on any meat I cook.

I was kind of wondering the same thing but I did know how many people press their bacon.

I know they do it at most delis I think mostly to shorten cook times.

[Georgetoon]

Well, I picked up the 8-inch skillet.  It's been seasoned and is now cooling down in the oven.

I'll give it a try as a bacon press tomorrow morning.  if it works, then great!  If not, I haven't lost anything.  I've gained a nice new cast iron skillet!:)

[Rudge]

Well, I picked up the 8-inch skillet.  It's been seasoned and is now cooling down in the oven.

I'll give it a try as a bacon press tomorrow morning.  if it works, then great!  If not, I haven't lost anything.  I've gained a nice new cast iron skillet!:)

Good for you Mark.

I would still like to know why you want to "press" your bacon?

Personally, I have never done it.

[Georgetoon]

Well, I picked up the 8-inch skillet.  It's been seasoned and is now cooling down in the oven.

I'll give it a try as a bacon press tomorrow morning.  if it works, then great!  If not, I haven't lost anything.  I've gained a nice new cast iron skillet!:)

Good for you Mark.

I would still like to know why you want to "press" your bacon? I7

Personally, I have never done it.

Pressing bacon, from what I understand, keeps it from curling up.

I've been doing some web research on cooking bacon.  Medium heat, cast iron skillet, bacon press, etc.  Sees to be the formula.:-)