5 Best Splatter Guards, According to a Professional Chef
Save yourself from hot oil burns like a pro.
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If you’re a frequent fryer, you know the pain of a hot oil burn when pan frying bacon or deep frying chicken. A splatter guard can be a great way to prevent some of those burns from happening — and we're here to tell you that even the pros use them. We asked Dan Jacobs, a five-time James Beard Best Chef Midwest semi-finalist and chef at EsterEV in Milwaukee, to share his five favorite splatter guards to use when frying. Whether you're looking for one made of classic wire mesh, silicone or stainless steel, these are his top picks.
What to Consider Before Buying a Splatter Guard
Size matters. When choosing a splatter guard, be sure to opt for a size that matches the size of your frying pan. If you're deep frying in a pot or use more than one pan for frying food, you may need to invest in more than one splatter guard.
Consider one that's dishwasher-safe. Since frying is inherently messy and greasy, choose a splatter guard made with materials such as silicone that makes it easy to clean and/or pop into the dishwasher.
How to Clean a Splatter Guard
Since splatter guards are headquarters for both oil remnants and the smells of anything you just fried, soak your splatter guard with a heavy-duty dish soap like Dawn and water after each use. You can also use a brush to gently remove any lingering bits of oil, Jacobs says. Be sure to hand wash splatter guards that have silicone or aluminum edges and always check the packaging to ensure that the splatter screen is dishwasher safe.
Reach for this Swiss-designed silicone splatter guard for its folding design and locking handles for easy storage. Bonus: This one can also be used as a strainer, microwave cover and trivet if you want to place a hot pot on your table.
Why Jacobs loves it: "I love that this has multi-uses," Jacobs says. "It’s also an excellent cost-effective option for home cooks."
There’s nothing boring about this 13-inch red silicone screen. Bonus: It features a non-slip handle, is ideal for straining, draining and rinsing and is heat resistant to 500 degrees F.
Why Jacobs loves it: "Since this is made of silicone it’s got great durability," Jacobs says. "The fact that you can heat up to 500 degrees is awesome but hopefully you’re not cooking to that high of a degree!
This 11' stainless-steel screen fits nicely over your pan to keep splatters in your pan — not on your stovetop. It also features a mesh screen for steam to escape.
Why Jacobs loves it: “This is another great brand with a great history of quality,” Jacobs says. “It’s a bit pricier but will get the job done.”
This stainless-steel splatter guard accommodates most pans. It features a tightly woven steel mesh that enables moisture to vent out all while keeping your stovetop grease-free. Bonus points for its folding handle and silicone ring.
Why Jacobs loves it: “I really like the silicone ring feature,” Jacobs says. “It won’t bend or break. We have a ton of silicone splatter guards in the restaurant. I like that this one is super durable.”
Made of nonreactive stainless steel, this fine-mesh heat-resistant splatter guard also features a polished finish and looks great while doing the hard work of keeping your cooktop grease-free.
Why Jacobs loves it: "I actually have this one," Jacobs says. "It does what it’s supposed to do: It keeps grease in and doesn’t have it splattering over your countertop or stove. Plus, it’s transparent so you can see what you’re doing while you’re frying."
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