Anyone who’s cooked fried chicken, sausage, bacon, or any other dish involving hot oil is familiar with two key concepts. The first is that oil can reach ridiculously high temperatures and do untold damage to your skin. The other is that grease is almost impossible to clean from the stove top.
And the stove top isn’t the only place the grease ends up. It can splash onto the counters, floors, walls, and the cracks between the oven and your cabinet. If your microwave is situated over your oven, grease can sometimes even end up inside that.
But there is a simple, innovative way to make sure grease stays in the frying pan and out of the fire. It’s called a splatter screen.
Comparison Table
| Brand Name | Diameter | Material | Dishwasher safe |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Centh Our Best Pick  Check Price | 13 inches | Stainless steel | Yes |
#2. Calphalon  Check Price | 13 inches | Stainless steel | Yes |
#3. Norpro Check Price | 13 inches | Aluminum | No |
How Splatter Screens Work
A splatter screen is a way to cover your frying pan. But there’s a fundamental difference between a screen and a lid. Lids completely enclose a frying pan. Screens, on the other hand, are either perforated with multiple holes or made out of mesh. This means that heat and air can escape, but the grease stays safely locked inside.
There are multiple splatter screen designs on the market. You’ll find everything from silicone to wire mesh. Silicone isn’t a great option for your screen, though. A few things should be kept in mind when you’re picking out the best splatter screen for you.
The first is the type of material being used. You want a material that can stand up to the heat without warping or becoming warped. One of the best options is stainless steel. Stainless steel doesn’t tarnish, and it can handle even the hottest of oil.
You should also consider the size of the screen. A screen can only fit pots with a similar or smaller diameter. This means that larger screens can be used to cover more pots than smaller ones. A large screen is a good investment if you have multiple sizes of pots and don’t want to buy individual screens for each of them.
The Best Splatter Screens for Fry Pans
#1. Norpro Splatter Screen
This 13-inch splatter screen is constructed with fine aluminum. It can cover skillets sized up to 13 inches. Since the screen uses aluminum, it’s not safe to use in the dishwasher. You’ll need to wash it by hand. When you put aluminum in the dishwasher, the detergents and high heat will tarnish and darken the material.
If you get this screen, you should be cautious since the handle can conduct heat. Use a potholder or glove when touching the hot handle.
This is the most economic option on the list. It can handle the job it was designed for. But there are a few potential drawbacks. The screen can warp when it’s exposed to high temperatures over long periods. When you work with oils, you’re usually operating at extremely high temperatures, so this is a significant drawback.
#2. Calphalon Stainless Steel Splatter Guard
For years, Calphalon has been one of the most trusted brands in the kitchen. You can be certain that any Calphalon product you purchase is high quality. The same is true of this splatter screen.
The stainless steel construction is a big selling point. Stainless steel is durable enough to stand up to multiple uses. In addition, the screen won’t warp since stainless steel can withstand high temperatures.
The screen is created with multiple holes, ensuring your food can breathe. It can also fit skillets that are 8, 10, and 12 inches. The handle also stays cool to the touch even when the screen heats.
It’s best to wash this screen by hand, but you can put it through the dishwasher if need be. Either way, the cleaning process is simple.
There is one potential drawback. If your frying pan is less than 12 inches in diameter, you’ll need to prop the screen on something. Otherwise, it will tip the pan over. This can be a hassle since it’s impossible to hold onto the screen and cook at the same time.
#3. JXJ Stainless Steel Splatter Screen
This all-purpose, cost-effective mesh screen is designed with a number of features that give it an edge over the competition.
The 13-inch screen has wires across the diameter. This means that the screen can rest on the edge of any sized pot or pan. You don’t have to worry about holding it up like you do with the Calphalon. It can be used with any pan size up to 13 inches.
Another convenient feature is the folding handle. Storage is much easier thanks to the compact size. When you have a lot of cookware with limited storage space, any feature that saves space is ideal.
Like the Calphalon, this screen is stainless steel. It won’t tarnish or rush, and it’s safe to use in the dishwasher. Another ideal feature of the design is the feet on the bottom. When you remove it from the frying pan, you can put the feet on the counter without worrying about spilling grease everywhere.
This is a highly affordable option with multiple innovative features. It’s easy to clean and store.
Final Thoughts
Splatter screens are vital to keeping yourself safe when you’re working with hot oil. All three of these splatter screens will work, but the best option is the JXJ screen.
The JXJ screen is designed with multiple convenience features that make it superior to the competition. You’ll have an easier time storing it, you’ll get better results with small pots, and the material will stand up to long-term use at high temperatures.
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