The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find That Keeps My Stove Top Clean

As my family's primary cook, my biggest hurdle isn't a tricky recipe or a complicated technique—it's the clean-up. I love the sizzle of onions, the satisfying sear on a chicken breast, and the bubbling enthusiasm of a tomato sauce.

What I don't love is that my stovetop and backsplash often end up covered in a fine layer of oil and sauce. No matter how quick the meal, the clean-up always seems to take twice as long. So, I was thrilled to learn that Dollar Tree's Cooking Concepts Splatter Screen is available for just $1.25. 

A splatter screen is a mesh shield that sits over your pots or pans to catch annoying grease pops and sauce splatters. Dollar Tree's Cooking Concepts version is a simple, 11-inch mesh circle with a black handle that extends outside of the pan. Its basic design has been helping me keep my kitchen and stovetop much cleaner. 

Why I Love Dollar Tree's Cooking Concepts Splatter Screen

This little screen does its job exceptionally well and has made my life easier. It has dramatically cut down on the amount of splatter across my stovetop and counter, and for that alone, it's worth every penny.

Unlike a solid lid, the fine mesh allows steam to escape, which is crucial for getting a golden-brown crust on ingredients like chicken cutlets or crisping up bacon. I especially love that I can see what's happening in the pan without getting hit by flying grease.

I also like using it when simmering my favorite Homemade Tomato Sauce or Classic Bolognese Sauce. It keeps the bubbling splatters contained, but still allows the sauce to reduce properly as it cooks.

I've even used it once to warm tortillas, placing them on top of the screen while the meat cooked below. The rising heat was just enough to make a small batch of tortillas more pliable.

Its affordability also makes it an obvious choice. At $1.25, I won't feel guilty if it gets a little dented or if I have to replace it down the road. It's the kind of low-stakes kitchen tool that delivers high rewards—something practical enough to use every day, but cheap enough that I don't have to worry about it.

Perhaps more importantly, it feels like a small victory every time I don't have to spend half an hour scrubbing away a big mess. That's a change I'm more than happy to have!

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