This Affordable, Easy-to-Use Gadget Keeps Your Stove Sparkling Clean and Splatter-Free

My splatter screen is one of my proudest kitchen purchases. It was extremely affordable (I got it for around $10) and I use it every single week when I’m pan frying chicken or sautéing broccoli. Few other kitchen tools have proven to be as indispensable as my splatter screen. I like it so much that I had never considered it could be improved upon, until last week.
That was when I saw this gadget that puts a twist on a traditional metal splatter screen.

Instead of having a simple one-piece design, this updated splatter screen folds in half so you can stir, flip, and grab food inside the pan without having to remove the entire screen. One half of the splatter screen basically acts as a lid, letting you open and close it as you please. That may seem like a minor improvement, but it’s such a smarter design — and now I think my old screen’s days are numbered.

Like standard splatter screens, this one is wide enough (13.5 inches) to fit pots and pans of any size. But, unlike older models, it doesn’t have a long handle that often gets in the way when you’re cooking. Instead, it has big tabs on both sides that you can safely grab to put it down and pick it up. The ventilated top prevents oil from jumping out — which, when you’re making bacon or searing meat, can quickly coat your stovetop and become a nightmare to clean later. Holes still let moisture escape, though, which helps your food develop a nice crispy exterior. And when you’re done, you can fold it in half and tuck it away without taking up hardly any storage space.

The one thing I don’t love about my current splatter screen is that I have to remove it completely from the pan in order to check on what’s inside. Because the underside gets covered in grease, I don’t want to lay it on my countertop, but I don’t have a lid rest, so I end up putting it in my sink where it takes up too much room. It would be so much more convenient if I could just lift up one side of the screen, make sure my tofu squares are turning appropriately golden brown, and set it back down, like you can with this one.

This splatter screen is also easier to take care of than metal ones. It’s made from heat-resistant silicone that won’t warp like metal splatter screens, and to clean it you can just pop it in the dishwasher. Plus, it doubles as a trivet, so you can use it while making and serving dishes. I much prefer my kitchen tools to be multitaskers, and with this device’s intuitive design, it’s hard to pass up. I’m looking forward to adding this to my kitchen soon — it’ll make dinner come together at little more easily, and just as importantly, keep cleanup to a minimum.

Buy: Silicone Splatter Screen, $28.95