Have you ever wanted to cook a juicy pork steak inside the frying pan only to end up with grease and hot oil burning your skin? Do you dread making French fries because of hot oil getting everywhere? A grease splatter screen is an efficient way to prevent all of that, so let’s take a look at the benefits of this product and then review some of the best grease splatter screens based on efficiency, price, and ease of cleaning.
Top 3 Picks
- Best Overall: Chefast Splatter Screen Set
- Best for Large Pans: BergKoch Grease Splatter Screen
- Best for Small Pans: U.S. Kitchen Supply Set of 4 Classic Splatter Screens
What Is a Grease Splatter Screen?
A grease splatter screen is a basic item used to cover cooking pans and pots. It’s a rather self-explanatory tool, as the name implies. The splatter guard is designed to shield you and the space immediately surrounding your pan from splatters.
The grease splatter screen is most frequently used when cooking with hot liquids or hot oil and grease. On certain items, using the splatter screen is preferable to covering with a lid, as covering the pot with a lid creates a steaming effect.
By utilizing the splatter screen, you may fry or boil as desired while allowing the steam to get out. This protects in the manner intended without trapping steam or modifying your cooking procedure.
The grease splatter screen is a straightforward product consisting of a metal or wire circular of some kind. After that, the circular is coated in a strong mesh material. Grease splatter guards can be constructed in a variety of ways. They may be equipped with handles or clips, or they may just be a spherical screen.
Benefits of Using a Grease Splatter Screen
A grease splatter screen guards against grease popping or boiling and popping components coming from your frying pan. This frequently results in splatters of grease or other liquids covering your stove, counters, and possibly even yourself.
Helps Prevent Grease Burns
Anyone who has worked in a kitchen has encountered grease burns, and they are not pleasant. It can cause burns to any part of your hands, including your face and neck. This burn will provide you with an unpleasant cooking experience.
Some folks are even terrified to cook for fear of receiving grease burns on their faces, hands, or other body parts that are exposed when cooking. These burns can take up to four to six days to heal, and they can be extremely painful.
Additionally, employing splatter screens in your kitchen when cooking protects you from these unpleasant grease burns. The screen will keep the sizzling oil contained, preventing it from reaching your face or hands. This also implies that you can avoid purchasing burn creams.
Keeps Stovetops and Surroundings Clean
One of the most dreadful things about making fried dishes is having grease and oil splatter not just on the stovetop, but even on the wall, countertops, tables, cabinets, floors, and other surfaces around it.
You can’t even clean the stovetop right away, because you have to wait for the surface to cool down before you can touch it. That makes cleaning your stovetop such a large hassle that it’s better to find a way to prevent this from happening altogether. A grease splatter screen can help with that.
Keep Steam Contained
If you typically use a lid to cover your pots and pans when cooking, steam will accumulate because the lid is completely sealed, and steam is trapped with no way to escape. When utilizing a splatter screen, it’s as if you’re cooking without a cover because you can see through it to determine if your food is cooked through, and it allows steam to escape while keeping grease contained and away from the surrounding surfaces.
Keeps Your Clothes Clean
At best, hot grease and oil will end up on your clothes instead of your bare skin, but you might want to avoid having to dig through all the available detergents to find one that can remove oil stains from the fabric.
Drains Excessive Oil
Whenever you cook meat, there are times when there’s simply too much grease in the pan, and you have to drain part of it while leaving the meal in the skillet. The splatter screen enables you to do so safely and efficiently.
While you continue to cook your meat, you can cover the pan and pour out the grease. Use a container and keep it near the stove during the entire cooking session.
How to Properly Use a Grease Splatter Screen
A splatter screen does exactly what the name implies: it screens splatters. You place it over the top of a frying pan to prevent oil splashes from splattering all over your kitchen. It might be beneficial when searing meat or frying bacon over extremely high heat. We’ve even been sprayed while frying eggs on occasion.
A splatter screen, which resembles a hybrid between a lid and a strainer, fits on top of a pan and is designed to enable steam to escape while containing some of the splatters. Microwaves are equipped with vented dome-like coverings to assist in controlling splatter.
How to Clean a Grease Splatter Screen
Mesh can be difficult to clean and remove all dirt from the tiny, microscopic holes. However, it is not quite as difficult as it seems. We’ve included a few simple steps to assist you in cleaning your grease splatter screen and removing grease and grime from the mesh.
- You should wash your grease splatter screen with your preferred liquid dish soap and baking soda.
- Choose a scrubbing sponge and a cleaning brush with stiff bristles.
- You can directly place the baking soda and the liquid dish soap on the grease splatter screen. Sprinkle baking soda first, followed by the dish soap. Alternatively, you can combine the two and apply the result on your screen.
- Utilize the sponge and brush to scrub.
- You may need to rinse numerous times and scrape some more.
- Rinse well, pat dry, and store
- If you have a dishwasher and your grease splatter guard is dishwasher-safe, simply rinse it with hot water and put it in there.
What to Look for in a Grease Splatter Screen
As you read through the guide, decide which characteristics you like for your splatter screen. Bear in mind that while all of these items are designed to efficiently decrease splatter, they differ in a variety of ways, and you may prefer certain features in your kitchen’s splatter screen.
Size
The majority of grease splatter screens are meant to be one-size-fits-all. However, it is feasible to purchase screens with ridges that fit a variety of sizes or to purchase screens in a variety of sizes. When a screen is manufactured to a specific size, it may normally be used for any pan up to that size.
Material
Not all splatter screens are constructed identically. Splatter screens are typically made of light metal like stainless steel and often include a mesh-like covering. However, there are numerous alternatives. Certain screens have omitted the mesh in favor of stainless steel with tiny holes for steam escape, while others are entirely constructed of silicone.
Quality
You want to make certain that your grease splatter screen will endure. You want a screen that is sturdy and resilient that will not warp or fall apart during use, storage, or washing processes.
Price
Grease splatter screens aren’t that expensive, and you can find some pretty decent models for around $20. Naturally, there are cheaper and more expensive products out there for those looking to spend money or for those wanting to spend more on something of superior quality.
Efficiency
Not all splatter guards are equally successful at reducing splatter. Some are more effective at reducing spatter than others, while some retain steam rather than releasing it as needed. This is a design feature to keep an eye out for to guarantee that the splatter guard you chose accomplishes your objective.
Top Grease Splatter Screen Picks
BergKoch Grease Splatter Screen
The BergKoch splash guard’s sturdy 304 stainless steel body and ultra-reinforced joints provide a genuinely firm foundation. Due to the rust-proof wire mesh, the tool will retain its original shape and last for years.
- Stainless steel construction
- Dishwasher-safe
- Rust-proof
The plastic handle ensures that cooking is completely safe, as you will not burn your hands on extremely hot metal. Unlike inexpensive temporary splatter screens with metal handles that frequently overheat and cause painful blisters, our splash guard was designed to keep you safe when cooking!
Although this is an 11.5-inch grease guard, it may be used on a variety of frying pan sizes. Unlike other guards that take a while to clean, our splatter guard’s tiny mesh construction traps oil without clinging to it. Simply wipe your screen clean and continue switching between pans without interruptions. At the end of the day, either hand wash the splatter screen or place it in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Multiple size options
- Very easy to clean
- High mesh count
Cons
- Allows smoke to escape
Chefast Splatter Screen Set
This bargain set from Chefast includes a universal 13-inch splatter screen that fits practically any large frying pan, a silicone handle holder for hot situations, and two pan scrapers for easier cleaning.
- Ultra-fine mesh
- Heat-resistant handle
- Ergonomic resting feet
This tough splatter guard with a TPR handle keeps grease in the pan and your hands out of harm’s way. Additionally, the integrated resting feet allow you to lay the splatter shield without creating a mess on the tabletop. The integrated silicone handle holder fits a range of pans from leading manufacturers and protects your hands from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit heat.
The two provided pan scrapers make it easier to remove the foul residue that can accumulate after cooking. With two different designs that fit practically any nook, these polycarbonate scrapers make a messy task a piece of cake.
Pros
- Silicone accessory to keep handle cool
- Includes two scrapers
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Some complain it allows some grease to escape
U.S. Kitchen Supply Set of 4 Classic Splatter Screens
The ideal selection of four sizes (8, 10, 11.5, and 13 inches) ensures you’re always prepared for any occasion. These grease splatter screens in the traditional design are constructed of durable and sturdy high-performance stainless steel and feature plastic comfort grip handles.
- 4 sizes in one pack
- Stainless steel construction
- Comfort grip handles
All four grease splatter screens are constructed of professional-grade stainless steel and include a rust-resistant fine wire mesh screen. The fine mesh screens capture extremely little particles. Additionally, the sturdy stainless steel wire handle with a pleasant grip keeps your hands out of direct contact with the heat when cooking.
Pros
- Includes 4 splatter screens
- Rust-proof construction
- Good for multiple pan sizes
Cons
- Questionable long-term durability
Homestia Grease Splatter Screen
This splatter catcher features a tight weave with a 60-mesh count that traps 99 percent of hot oil splash on the stove and the surrounding surfaces. Although it is nearly impossible to pop up the wire on the edges, the manufacturer advises you to check carefully and avoid scratching yourself.
- Extra-fine mesh
- Food-grade stainless steel
- Dishwasher-safe
The 304 stainless steel construction is rust-resistant and extremely durable. The splash guard package includes 50 pieces of 45gsm parchment paper round for baking small cakes or separating frozen patties. The paper is made entirely of natural wood pulp and completely fluorescent-free.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Made with fine mesh for better protection
- Rust-proof construction
Cons
- Handle is not very heat-proof
CLAIRLA Store Hot Grease Splatter Screen
The splatter screen’s stainless-steel structure makes it extremely sturdy and resistant to rust and corrosion. Grease splatter guards can be difficult to clean due to their mesh construction. The finer the weave, the more grease it will accumulate and the greater the likelihood that it will become clogged.
- Grooved to fit various pan sizes
- Food-grade stainless steel construction
However, the perforated design keeps everything confined within the pan and does not clog or discolor as regular mesh does. Cleaning mesh and removing all dirt from the small, microscopic holes can be difficult.
Available in a variety of sizes to match the diameter of your pan properly, this splatter screen is ideal for preventing hot oil, grease, and sauces during your cooking sessions. Additionally, it is excellent for keeping your surfaces clean.
Pros
- Grooved rim prevents shaking
- Designed to fit multiple pan size
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Small holes, a lot of steam when frying foods
Final Say
Did you find a grease splatter screen that works for you? Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below. The Chefast grease splatter screen is one of our most favorite products because it comes with quality stainless steel construction, a silicone handle that never gets too hot, and scrapers to easily remove food residue.