Splatters while cooking are messy. Do you agree? We do not want a messy stove, an oily apron, or a dirty shirt no more than our skin being burnt by hot oil splatters.
For these reasons, splatter guards or splatter screens are invented.
Splatter guards, also called splatter screens help in effectively preventing splatters while cooking. It keeps stove and countertops tidy and grease free. They are well designed and customized to aid us while cooking.
Which is the best splatter guard for you?
Know your splatter guard. You must know the exact size of your pan so you can check its fit. You also need to know what material the splatter guards are made of. The material should be able to resist high temperature when you are cooking.
I will describe the 7 best splatter guards available in the market and hopefully you can choose which one suits your need.
A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing a Splatter Guard
What Is a Splatter Guard?
Splatter guards or splatter screens are simple kitchen tools used to cover pans or pots while cooking.
This kitchen tool prevents any substance to splatter on stove or kitchen walls especially when frying while letting you see the food being cooked unlike the typical pan covers.
Uses & Traits of a Splatter Guard
Splatter guard or screen is usually made of stainless wire or other metal mesh formed in circular shape and to resist heat while cooking.
It is mainly used to prevent oil or grease splatters on stove, kitchen walls, countertops or even to the person cooking.
Here is the list of advantages using splatter guards.
- Prevents oil and other substance to splatter on your kitchen area.
- Avoids stain on your apron or shirt due to splatters while cooking.
- Keep you from getting burnt skin due hot substance splatters.
- Can also be used for sifting, draining, or steaming.
Splatter Screen Care
Aside from the greasy oil, food residue can clog the splatter screen’s tiny holes and seems to be difficult to clean, but here are some cleaning tips.
- Soak it in water with some baking soda and liquid soap to loosen clogs on the mesh.
- Use a cleaning brush with hard bridles or a rough sponge to scrub it.
- If the dishwashing liquid soap and soda does not completely remove the grease, rinse it in hot water.
- Dry it before keeping it in your utensil cupboard.
How to Pick a Splatter Guard/Screen
You can only choose the best splatter guard for your kitchen if you know its purpose, what is it made of, and what are its characteristics.
One must know the basic characteristics of the splatter guard before buying it to ensure that it will fit with your intended purpose as described here.
- Size – It comes in different sizes to fit cooking wares but there are flexible designs with ridges or legs to fit different sizes using just one splatter guard.
- Material – It can be made of different materials like stainless steel and silicone.
- Sturdiness – Choose one that can withstand long exposure to high temperature since it is intended to be used for cooking.
- Reliability – Check its effectiveness in preventing splatter and if you intend to use it for steaming too, check how it releases the steam while cooking.
Here are the descriptions, characteristics, and advantages of the seven best splatter guards in the market where you choose from.
Frywall 12-Inch (Large) Splatter Guard
Colorful splatter screens. It comes in 5 different colors that gives an appealing look compared to the typical stainless-steel colored ones. It is made of heat-resistant silicone and shaped like a cone to sit perfectly in pans. The silicone material used is FDA approved and is food friendly.
Key Features:
- Heat resistance ranging to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Compact to store in your cupboard.
- Available in red, charcoal, black, green, and orange.
Pros:
- Perfect for fine splatters.
- Allows total access to food on pans.
- Good for avoiding spillovers.
- Easily cleaned and dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Specific to fit pan size only.
- Not for shallow kitchen wares.
BergKoch Grease Splatter Screen for Frying Pans
A more stable splatter screen made from high grade stainless-steel metal with a very durable wire mesh. It was designed for modern and practical uses. It features resting feet that makes it stable when used on pans.
Key Features:
- Splatter guard diameter is 13 inches
- Has very fine weave.
- With hanging hook appropriate for storage.
- Has resting feet for stability on surfaces.
Pros:
- Prevents almost 100% of splatter.
- Dishwasher friendly and can be cleaned easily.
- Sturdy due to the resting feet.
- Good to use when steaming food.
- Affordable and has warranty.
Cons:
- Handle can become too hot and melt.
- May become discolored after some time.
Oxo Good Grips Stainless Steel Splatter Screen with Foldable Handle
Designed for versatility. This splatter guard has a foldable handle and has grooves that allows it to fit any size of cooking wares with 13 inches diameter or above. It is made of stainless steel but very inexpensive.
Key Features:
- Adjustable to fit 13-inch pans or wider.
- Foldable handle makes it convenient to use.
- Designed grooves to fit 8 to 10-inch pans.
Pros:
- Prevents almost 90% of splatter.
- Even weight so it does not tilt.
- Easily cleaned and dishwasher friendly.
Cons:
- Folded handle can be bulky at times.
- Some holes are large enough to miss splatters.
LRui Splatter Screen Cooking Mesh
A steaming grill splatter guard. Not only that it effectively prevents splatters, but it also has thick stainless-steel brim and sturdy mesh that can hold food weight when used for steaming.
Key Features:
- Sturdy wide brim.
- Foldable handle.
- Covers an entire 12-inch pans.
Pros:
- Prevents 95% of splatter.
- Good for steaming.
- Dishwasher friendly.
- Easily cleaned.
Cons:
- Limited to cover 10 to 12 inches wide pans.
- May become rusty.
Kristie’s Kitchen Splatter Guard Set of 3
A pan lid splatter guard. This was designed to look like pan covers with tiny holes which make it very effective to prevent splatters. Available in a set of three with different sizes and is very inexpensive. It also made of durable stainless-steel metal.
Key Features:
- Available in sizes 8, 10 and 13 inches.
- Sleek knob handle design.
- Durable stainless-steel mesh.
Pros:
- Prevents 98% of splatter.
- Durable stainless-steel mesh.
- Handle does not heat up.
- Easily cleaned and dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Splatter size is not versatile enough.
- May rust after some time.
UrbanWare Premium 13-Inch Splatter Guard
Typical but resilient. This splatter screen is 13 inches wide and looks like your usual guard made of stainless-steel wire mesh with sturdy rim and silicone covered handle. However, it has very fine mesh that inhibits splatter perfectly and the silicone covered handle is heat resistant to prevent hand burns.
Key Features:
- Has heat resistant handle.
- Has resting legs to fit cooking wares.
- Has durable fine mesh.
Pros:
- Flexible to use for sifting or steaming.
- Effective in preventing even fine splatters.
- Dishwasher friendly and easily cleaned.
- Easy grip and non-slip handle.
Cons:
- Color may change after some time.
- Most effective in same size pans.
ExcelSteel Silicone Splatter 13-Inch Non-Slip Grip
No mesh splatter screen. Unlike the typical wire mesh design, this silicone made splatter screen is a plane surface with tiny holes for preventing splatters. Its frame and handle are made from stainless metal. The handle is draped with silicone that makes it heat resistant and provides a good grip.
Key Features:
- Covers any pan size with up to 13 inches diameter.
- Has heat resistant handle.
- Available in colorful design.
Pros:
- Prevents 96% of splatters.
- Non-slip grip handle.
- Dishwasher friendly.
Cons:
- Silicone may melt in prolong exposure to very high temperature.
- No official declaration on the grade of materials used.
Related Questions
Shopping for kitchen wares is not an easy job but knowing the purpose, and the complete information of a particular item you need to buy will help you decide and get what is best for you and your kitchen.
Do I Have to Use a Splatter Guard That is Exactly the Size of My Pan?
Splatter screens or guards were all devised to efficiently prevent splatters while cooking. Some designs are tweaked to enhance the tool like adding grooves, resting feet or legs to make it more flexible to be used in different cooking ware sizes. However, shoppers are free to choose which tool would make them more efficient too, regardless of which design they choose.
How Can I Drain Items Using a Splatter Guard?
The splatter guard design is generally to prevent splatters, but some designs allow the cook to use it in various way like sifting, draining, or steaming.
You may use your splatter guard to drain food if you know that the frame can handle such weight. You may try holding the pan or pot against the splatter screen while draining any liquid from it but just be careful not to burn yourself especially when it is hot.
