last time i made bacon it was in a stainless steel pan

this was two days ago

slow bacon

Best is slow rather than fast, I think. Start with a cold cast iron pan, put in the bacon and cook it at a really low heat until it gets to how you like it.

I've started air frying mine. 350 for 8 minutes on regular, 12 minutes on thick cut. Usually flip half way through on the thick cut. Put bread heels in the bottom to soak up grease and prevent smoking. If it isn't crispy enough, I'll then hit it with max crisp setting for a minute at a time until I get the snap I want.

The air fryer is the one household device that has changed my eating. Can make everything in it after experimenting. Hell, you can throw a couple eggs in with your thick cut bacon and have a beautiful soft yolk hard boiled egg.