Cooking bacon causes the fat to render out and create a mess on the stove top due to a combination of factors related to the composition of bacon and the cooking process involved. Here's why it happens:
High Fat Content: Bacon is made from pork belly, which is a fatty cut of meat. It contains a significant amount of fat, which renders out when exposed to heat. During the cooking process, the heat causes the fat in the bacon to melt and liquefy.
Water Evaporation: Bacon also contains water, which is released as steam when the bacon is cooked. As the bacon heats up, the water in the meat starts to evaporate, and this process further contributes to the sizzling and splattering of hot fat.
Shrinking and Curling: As the bacon cooks, it tends to shrink and curl up. This movement can cause the bacon strips to displace the rendered fat and splatter it around the cooking area.
High Cooking Temperature: Cooking bacon typically involves using a high cooking temperature, which intensifies the rendering of fat and the sizzling effect.
When the hot fat and steam come into contact with the cooler surfaces of the stove top, the rendered fat can solidify and create a mess. The splattering hot fat can also be a safety concern, as it might cause burns or small fires if it lands on burners or heating elements.
To minimize the mess and splattering, you can try using a splatter guard or cooking the bacon in a pan with higher sides. Additionally, cooking bacon at a lower heat can reduce the splatter and allow the fat to render out more slowly. However, keep in mind that the cooking time might be longer if you choose this method.
Overall, cooking bacon on the stove top can be a delicious but messy process, so it's essential to take precautions and clean up the stove top thoroughly afterward.