Cooking Bacon on the Pizzazz: Tips and Guidelines for Using this Rotating Oven Appliance

The Pizzazz is a popular rotating oven appliance that is great for quickly cooking frozen pizzas and snacks. But can you also use it to cook bacon? Here is a comprehensive guide on cooking bacon in the Pizzazz, with tips for success and how to avoid potential appliance damage

What is the Pizzazz and How Does it Work?

For those unfamiliar, the Pizzazz is a countertop rotating oven made by Presto. It has top and bottom heating elements that surround a circular non-stick baking tray. The tray rotates continuously to promote even cooking. Controls allow adjusting the temperature and timer.

The Pizzazz is intended mainly for cooking frozen convenience foods like pizza, chicken nuggets, fries etc. The rotating action helps food cook quickly and evenly. But the open design also makes it suitable for some other foods like bacon.

Is Cooking Bacon in the Pizzazz Recommended?

The short answer is no – cooking bacon in the Pizzazz is generally not recommended by the manufacturer. The user manual explicitly states that meats should not be cooked directly on the baking tray. This is likely because:

• Hot bacon grease could splatter onto the upper heating element and damage it.

• Grease dripping from bacon may leak through cracks and build up under the rotating tray, causing smoke or burning.

So Presto does not endorse or warranty using the Pizzazz for cooking raw meats. However, some owners have reported decent results cooking bacon in the Pizzazz, especially when using foil liners or pans. So while not “approved”, it may be possible with care.

Tips for Cooking Bacon in the Pizzazz Successfully

For those willing to attempt cooking bacon in their Pizzazz, here are some tips to improve results and avoid issues:

• Use foil sheets or baking pans – Line the Pizzazz tray with aluminum foil or use oven-safe pans. This will catch grease and prevent damage.

• Preheat slightly – Let the Pizzazz preheat for 1-2 minutes before adding bacon to allow the grease to heat up quicker.

• Cook in batches – Only fry a few bacon strips at a time so there’s less grease splatter.

• Rotate occasionally – Manually rotate the tray once or twice to promote even cooking.

• Watch heat level – Don’t exceed medium temperature, as higher heat exacerbates splattering.

• Drain grease – Carefully pour out excess bacon grease from foil liners or pans midway through cooking.

• Blot with paper towels – Place bacon on paper towels to absorb any residual grease after cooking.

Following these tips, users report decent success frying bacon in the Pizzazz without any damage or issues. It may take some trial and error to perfect the method.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon in the Pizzazz

Here is a simple step-by-step walkthrough for cooking bacon in the Pizzazz:

Ingredients:

• 8 slices thick-cut bacon
• Aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Preheat Pizzazz for 1-2 minutes at medium heat (about 350°F)

2. Line tray with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray

3. Place 2-3 bacon strips on tray without overlapping

4. Cook for 2 minutes then manually rotate tray 180 degrees

5. Cook 2 more minutes, then flip bacon strips

6. Drain excess grease from foil liner into heatproof container

7. Cook 2-3 more minutes, rotating tray again halfway through

8. Transfer cooked bacon to paper towel lined plate to blot grease

9. Repeat steps 3-8 with remaining bacon in batches

10. Allow oven to fully cool, then discard foil and clean out grease residue

When cooking bacon in the Pizzazz, less is more. Stick to smaller batches, medium heat, and lining the tray. Follow basic precautions, watch closely, and drain grease as needed. While not encouraged by the maker, it can produce decent crispy bacon with some trial and practice.

Risks and Downsides to Cooking Bacon in the Pizzazz

While the Pizzazz can cook bacon fairly well when proper precautions are taken, there are still some downsides and risks to consider:

• Voided warranty – Damage from grease may void the appliance’s warranty coverage.

• Messes – Grease dripping under the tray can smoke or cause burning residue that requires disassembly to clean properly.

• Uneven cooking – Rotating action may spread grease unevenly, leading to soft or burnt spots.

• Splatter damage – Bacon fat splattering could damage the upper heating element, especially at higher temps.

• Lower capacity – The open tray design only allows cooking a few bacon strips at once.

For trouble-free operation and maximum lifespan, following the manufacturer’s guidance to avoid cooking raw meats in the Pizzazz is recommended. Using separate appliances for bacon versus the Pizzazz for its intended foods like pizza and snacks can prevent headaches.

Smarter Alternatives to Cooking Bacon in the Pizzazz

While the Pizzazz can cook bacon in a pinch, there are better-suited appliances that avoid the drawbacks:

• Skillets – Fry bacon in a skillet or pan for full control over heat levels and grease.

• Toaster ovens – A small toaster oven with a closed door contains grease splatter.

• Air fryers – The enclosed basket of an air fryer circulates air around bacon to cook it evenly without grease issues.

• Microwave – Microwaving bacon between paper towels absorbs grease and prevents splattering.

• Grills – Outdoor grills or indoor grill pans let grease drip away from heating elements.

For even cooking and hassle-free cleanup, these alternatives provide a better bacon cooking experience than using the Pizzazz.

Key Takeaways on Cooking Bacon in the Pizzazz

• It’s not recommended, but possible with careful precautions.

• Use liners and cook in small batches at lower temps.

• Expect splatter, uneven cooking, and excess grease.

• Closely monitor and drain grease during cooking.

• Don’t exceed medium temperature to avoid damage from splattering.

• Alternative appliances like skillets, toaster ovens and air fryers are smarter options.

While the rotating Pizzazz oven can cook bacon decently when steps are taken to minimize splatter, cleanup can be messy and there’s some risk of damaging the heating elements. For the best results, a standard skillet or an appliance designed to contain grease splatter is a better fit for achieving perfect bacon.