How to Cook Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I finally tried bacon in the Char-Broil Big Easy, and it was long overdue. I decided to hang the bacon vertically, so I used a Big Easy kabob rack and draped the bacon down into the cooker like curtains. It cooked quickly and came out super crispy. The aroma alone was worth the effort.

The setup

Because the bacon is hung over the kabob rack it won’t come out completely flat. You’ll get nicely crisp slices perfect for BLTs and sandwiches. The bacon cooks faster where it bends and along the outer edges of the cooker, so expect some variation in crispiness. I found thin-cut bacon worked quickly and evenly; thicker slices may need a bit more time.

Don’t overdo it

Bacon can go from perfectly crisp to overcooked quickly. Pull it from the Big Easy a little sooner than you think and allow it to cool — it will crisp up as it rests. It’s easier to remove the bacon from the rack while it’s still slightly soft; once fully cooled and brittle it can break when you try to lift it off.

If you don’t have a kabob rack, you can hang bacon another way. A bunk bed basket or similar accessory that allows you to drape strips vertically over a frame will work fine. The key is to avoid overlapping the strips so they cook evenly and the fat drains away.

You can cook more than just bacon on the Big Easy. Try making breakfast sausage links, breakfast cups, or even fire-roasted eggs — the Big Easy handles a surprising variety of breakfast items when you arrange them vertically or in baskets.

It’s wise to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy. They make cleanup much easier and help manage the extra fat that collects while cooking bacon and other fatty items.

Recipe: Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Bacon on the Char-Broil Big Easy

It’s bacon — cooked vertically in the Char-Broil Big Easy until crisp. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, the bacon crisps up as it cools, so remove it just before it looks fully done.

Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Keywords: bacon, Big Easy, Char-Broil

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15–20 minutes

Total Time: 20–25 minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 92 kcal (approx.)

Equipment

Char-Broil Big Easy (or equivalent oil-less fryer)
Big Easy kabob holder or similar rack to hang bacon

Ingredients

12 slices bacon (thin-cut recommended for faster, more even cooking)

Instructions

Heat the Big Easy until it reaches operating temperature.
Drape the bacon slices over the basket or kabob holder so they hang vertically. Do not overlap the slices; give each piece room to cook and drain.
Lower the basket into the Big Easy and cook for approximately 15–20 minutes. Watch the bacon — where it bends and near the edges it will brown faster. Remove the bacon before it looks fully dark, since it will crisp while cooling.
Transfer the bacon to a plate and let it cool for a few minutes before lifting it from the rack. Removing while slightly soft makes handling easier and reduces breakage.

Notes

I used thin-cut bacon for this batch. If you use thick-cut bacon, expect a longer cook time and check doneness frequently. The vertical arrangement helps fat drip away and creates a crisp result, but cook times vary by bacon thickness and the exact model you’re using.

Nutrition (approx.)

Nutritional values are approximate.

If you love your Big Easy, consider exploring compatible accessories and add-ons that make preparation and cleanup easier. With the right racks and spare grease trays, the Big Easy becomes a versatile tool for breakfast and beyond.