This $20 Tool Is a Kitchen Safety Must-Have

A few years ago, I was heating up a skillet, got distracted, dropped in a steak, and was hit by a wave of boiling hot oil on my arm. I wish I could say it was the first time I burned myself in the kitchen, but I’ve had a handful of injuries over the years. While my scars have healed, I finally decided to take precautionary measures and grab the Beckon Ware Splatter Screen to prevent future accidents. The $20 kitchen safety gadget has more than 3,500 perfect ratings, including lots of reviews from home cooks like me, who have been burned (literally and figuratively) too many times.

Beckon Ware 13-Inch Splatter Screen

The splatter guard comes in two circular sizes — 11 and 13 inches — for skillets and a 17.5- x 12-inch rectangular size for baking dishes. I opted for the 13-inch model to fit my Caraway sauté pan, which is just over 11 inches wide, and it keeps me safe while limiting cleanup around my stove. One customer uses the splatter screen every day and appreciates that there’s “no splashing oil to burn me as I walk by the stove.”

While many splatter screens are metal, like this OXO one with a folding handle, the Beckon Ware guard is made with heat-resistant silicone that can withstand temperatures up to 482°F. I originally wanted silicone because it wouldn’t scratch the edges of my nonstick cookware, but reviewers have found other hidden benefits to avoiding wire mesh. One shopper is swearing off metal splatter screens after buying this one because it “blocks out all the mess” and is easy to clean with no leftover “oily film.” A second reviewer said that this product “ticks all the boxes” and is “rust-proof and dishwasher-safe,” unlike metal screens, which can require a fair amount of hand-scrubbing.

This splatter screen also has a partially silicone-coated handle that doesn’t get hot while cooking. “Why didn’t I buy this excellent product sooner?” wondered a customer, adding that the “handle is comfortable and provides excellent grip.” Some shoppers even use the tool as a 2-in-1 handheld strainer to drain excess oil or pasta water. You can also use it to steam vegetables or as a cooling rack.

As someone with now-faded scars from oil splatters, this Beckon Ware splatter guard is a kitchen necessity, whether I’m frying bacon or searing a steak. If you’re also an accident-prone cook, I’ve rounded up some other kitchen safety gadgets to peruse below.

Shop More Kitchen Safety Tools at Amazon

LeeYean Oven Guards, 4-Pack

Dowellife Cut-Resistant Gloves

Jayvar Onion Holder

Bigowl Silicone Splatter Screen

Safegrate Grater Guard

At the time of publishing, the price was $20.