How to Render Beef Fat to Make Suet for Birds 2018

[@ThereIsNoLord]

As someone who grew up without a dad, this guy kind of embodies what I thought a father could be. Just doing cool stuff, teaching you things, having worldly interests. Very nice. And I thought I liked the birds, but this guy takes the cake. I might actually try making this in the winter!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

You really put a smile on my face. Thank you times ten.

[@LeoRousseau]

I love positive comments! ♥️✌️

[@somedaynow1128]

I had no idea how this was done you made it easy. Thank you! I will do this.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Glad to help. I need to make some today.

[@christinachase5419]

I've looked and looked for videos about making suet cakes for birds with real beef suet. Being a novice, I learned what to ask for at the supermarket but had no idea what to do with it once I got it home! Thank you for showing how easy it is; I'm not intimidated any more. Time to feed the birds!

[@dimitycurry5164]

thanks for the video. I like how you stay on the subject and don't wander off with stories about your life.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thank you. I try not to ramble. People's time is valuable. I really appreciate hearing from you!

[@natsukoyellowsun81]

Thank you! I made it (took 5 hours ) accordingly . Our backyard birdies are happy to eat homemade suet (now it is -6C in BC, Canada). Appreciate it!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Mine too are overjoyed with this suet.

[@AlbertaMartian]

Thanks a lot. I want to make suet and seed packed pine cones, and you showed me just how easy this can be :)

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Glad to hear it. It really is a great recipe.

[@goggleuser12]

Made this today. Took 10 hrs in my crock. Your video was the easiest & most helpful. I subscribed. Thank you!! 🐦

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I am so glad. It does take a while but it's kind of fun isn't it. Thank you for subscribing!

[@goggleuser12]

@@BackyardBirdsUS Yw. I poured some in a bundt pan with seeds to make a bird "wreath" as well. It is fun!😊

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

That is so creative. The birds thank you! I say that in jest but i do think the birds know you are there to help!

[@stevestudley4060]

Thank you my friend. You have made my life richer. I am in your debt.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thank you. You made my day!

[@levitator55]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks man ! Love your videos

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thank you. You made my day!

[@annaryan5701]

Thank You for sharing. I live where it snows in the winter and see a lot of birds in our feeders and have always wanted to learn how to make suet and render the fat for them. Your video was a Godscend! I am sure the birds in my area will absolutely love the rendered fat included in my recipe. Thanks so much!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I'm so glad my video helped. It's fun to make on a winter's day. Thanks.

[@bartk85622]

It was interesting Jeff! You did an excellent job of cutting all the short videos together, really nice job!!!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thanks Bart. I just kept cutting and cutting stuff out of the video. I tried watching my competitions videos and I just couldnt' They drag on and on.

[@bartk85622]

I struggle with the same thing, I try to keep my videos 3 to 5 min, but I frequently go over in order to tell a story. I guess people decide how much they want to watch.

[@barbd9887]

Just found you. Love your videos! I love wildlife and feeding them!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Great news. Thank you.

[@JimBasham-f9f]

I use the trimmings (fat) from a 15 lb brisket. This feeds my family and the birds.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

That is super smart. Thanks for sharing.

[@Darthbelal]

For a songbird that has to survive temps in the 20s and teens with snow all over the place, that rendered fat would be an absolute God-send. It's why I hunted out videos such as this. I don't want to put excess fat in the garbage as there are other hungry mouths that could use it.......

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

They love it too !

[@jeffccr3620]

Makes great soap and great bird feed

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Good idea. It's fun to do too.

[@laviniamartin1619]

Excellent help, thank-you ! Our butcher gave me a huge bag of mixed fat - maybe about 14lbs. Much of it was skin and trimmings with some of that lovely hard fat you were using. So what with the huge volume I was cooking - one cooker identical to yours and a huge oval cooker ,it has taken a lot longer to cook down. In fact I cooked the oval cooker about 16 hours and the Rival about 8. Drained and back to about 50% volume left, still loads of fat to render. Have taken the liquid and it is back to business again. Lesson learned, quantity slows down the process and the beautiful hard fat gives a better, cleaner fat. However as the same source was selling "processed suet(for baking) for $6/lb it has been well worth the effort.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I wish I had a source for free fat. I moved in the butcher here sells it. I think it does take a long time to render fat but you want to do it slow. It never pays to speed up the process. And it takes a long time for those slow cookers to warm up and start melting the fat. It is very satisfying though to see the end product isn't it?

[@laviniamartin1619]

@@BackyardBirdsUS Well I have decided to store trimmings from good steaks that have that good hard fat in the freezer and then use it when I have enough to render. The other from under skin etc is too soft unless the weather is bitter out. We are on Vancouver Island so I am keeping my hard earned fat and seed mix in the freezer until next Winter when it is "minus" weather. I have also come across a good idea of using gelatin which would be easier. A KZbin video made by someone living near me explains it well.

[@heronboy]

Thanks for sharing this very helpful video! It's interesting to learn how to attract birds with suet!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thanks heron boy. There are a lot of terrible suet recipes out on the internet. But I think this one Is the best. I can't wait to hear what kind of birds you see once you start using it.

[@moonlitgin1]

Thank you for this video! Eager to learn how to make my own hot suet!!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thanks. Good luck.

[@mimwedel2152]

Awesome video! I never knew how to do this. I’ll be looking for videos from you in making suit cakes out of it.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Glad it helped. Lots of awful suet videos out there. I just made some yesterday. The birds can't wait for me to serve it. They love it.

[@trevorslovick3313]

I love these instructional videos. Please do more!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

trevor, Thank you so much. I love the instructional videos as well. I even use them as a reference.

[@cindyvanlaecken5083]

Great tutorial! I never cut my fat up. It cools down nicely and I feed the cracklings to birds too!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I used to cut it up but found that it's just more time spent than necessary. Although sometimes the fat pieces are so big they have to be cut into smaller pieces.

[@lizardpieable]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@corisierra6559]

Thanks! Good video!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thanks. Hope it helped!

[@JeriBellini]

Newbie here, I had just cut off a bunch of fat from some beef and hated throwing it out, so thanks for this information. But now what do you do with the fat in the jar and the cooked fat? Thanks for your help!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

You can store it in the fridge for later use.

[@JeriBellini]

@@BackyardBirdsUS And just put it outside for the birds, or mix it with something?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

There is another video on making suet for the birds. It has the recipe. You use the rendered fat in it. Here it is.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHbaaZlup5x2hLM

[@MiataTravels]

Wait! I want to see how to make the suet! Great video, Jeff.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

John, at the end of the video you can see a playlist which includes making the suet.

[@MiataTravels]

Duh! (By the way, what's your name? Ha!)

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

I just ran out of store bought suet, so I'm having to resort to the fat from my hamburgers. I'm guessing it will be OK (from what I read). I wonder what the shelf life is for this. From now on, instead of collecting fat for my outside candle making, I'll use it for my custom log suet feeders. Thanks!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Oh you made my day. I have never had the suet go rancid because the birds devour it daily.

[@karenbateman2810]

Great to know!! And love the recipe's and the video of all the birds on your outdoor log. Did you know that its just as easy to make homemade peanut butter as the homemade corn flour, look it up online. It takes 10 min, to make in food processor.

[@ThereIsNoLord]

I would rather pay $1 for a jar of peanut butter than clean out my food processor, not to mention the price of shelled peanuts.

[@imkrane]

Great video, thanks, it looks like it smells pretty good, does it???

[@steveniemyer9288]

An easy way to tell when it’s done rendering is the presence of white foam like you had at the six hour mark.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I did not know that. Thank you.

[@mnshutterbug]

With deer season coming up I'm wondering how well deer fat would work. My guess is the birds would love it but does it render well?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I think deer suet would be great and should render fine.

[@hannelorelieser7105]

Can holly berries be added to the suet cakes?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

adding berries is a good idea I think. So adding a few sounds smart.

[@beauty23ish]

Wish I had watched your video before I started rendering beef fat in a frying pan. A crockpot would have been so much easier! Thanks for the video.. next time, the crockpot. ;)

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

We all learn. I used to do it in a pan. Much easier in the Crock-Pot. Keep on rendering!

[@carladavis4500]

I'm going to contact my local butcher tomorrow and ask about purchasing beef fat to make tallow for Suet. I've seen a huge Pileated Woodpecker and a small Downy Woodpecker in the top of the trees in my backyard and I would love to coax them a little closer! Thank you!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Please report back. I look forward to hearing what birds come to the suet. I'd probably faint if I had a pileated in my yard.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

I just do what my old man did when he fed the birds in the winter - get one big hunk of suet from the butcher, run a coat hanger through it and hang the whole chunk off a chain thrown over a tree branch. A five pound chunk of raw, fresh suet lasts a long time that way and none of the mess of rendering it down. Best part about it is, the squirrels have zero interest in it, whereas with the "seed cakes", they do.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

That works great where it stays cold. I put some out and the birds love it. The mix is good too serve in small portions.

[@SOAPFREAK1967]

Can I use this in high temps in the shade?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I only feed it in the winter when its cold. I don't recommend it in the heat.

[@emandeli1585]

I'm still watching the video but can you tell me what it smells like? Kid with very sensitive nose. Maybe I should do it outside lol

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

It depends. Sometimes it stinks if the day is gamey.. But generally I've never had that problem. Id say try it and see.

[@catherinwarren7339]

Very good video, thank you for sharing.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thank you. Hopefully more people are rendering fat because of the video.

[@debbiefites4212]

Would bacon grease be okay also? Thanks for the video. I can't wait to make my own suet.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Some say it isn't but I've used it mixed with other fat.

[@johanna6050]

Bacon grease contains nitrites and would not be suitable.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Do some bacons not have nitrites?

[@johanna6050]

@@BackyardBirdsUS none of which I'm aware, you would have to do some research. I have found that bacon grease will attract unwanted critters, so I tend to steer clear.

[@theREmissionary]

Can you use the grease off hamburger after it's been cooked? We have some from dinner tonight and I'd love to use it for the birds instead of tossing it out.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Yes you can. Always good to save fat from cooking meat.

[@kathy7613]

Thank You..

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

You're welcome

[@claudiamacedo7511]

You can find pork fat in the mexican stores, the pound it's less than a $2.00 bucks.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Excellent information. Thanks for sharing!

[@sprklhair]

Welll I made the suet,,,,, I used lard as I hand't rendered any beef fat yet. I'm in california, not sure why but haven't had any takers for the new treat. That being said, I have not seen many gold finch here for the last 2 months. very disappointing. Any thoughts?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Is it cold there at all? Bird general eat suet when there are few insects. But just gives it time. Lard should be fine.

[@sprklhair]

@@BackyardBirdsUS I live near Sacramento so pretty mild climate, even in winter, very rarely gets below 20-30*F I will be patient. love watching my little friends though! thanks for your response.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

@@sprklhair Yes, very different than here. BUT, its 50s and 60s here and the birds are still eating tons of suet. Once it get warm out I quit feeding. This really is a winter time food. In the summer, birds are eating insects. Its important to grow native plants to your region that support local insects which the birds feed on. That is a whole other topic I need to cover in a video.

[@ThereIsNoLord]

Goldfinches are almost purely vegetarian.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

True. Goldfinches and house finches are not suet eaters. They like seed.

[@tonysokaleoralvsky2640]

Can you do a video on meat for the birds please?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I generally don't feed meat. Can you explain what kind of meat you are thinking about.

[@benwarren2559]

Great video thank you very I'm going to put mine in a cake pan and add a whole bunch of bird seed with twine in it so I can hang it from a tree cut it up in 3 inch 4 inch chunks

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I really don't recommend adding seed. The birds that eat suet aren't always seed eaters. Why the twine?

[@scottm9707]

Thx

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Glad to help

[@37Iulian]

I have an idea: to melt a suet in a water! As much as it makes a top layer - it could be separated and won't become fryed and dark!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Just do it at a low temperature and don't try to rush it. I'd worry too much water with oil will cause splattering.

[@rusrus8675]

Shouldn't you pour fat into suet shaped containers to cool? In those jars fat has to be warmed up and reshaped.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

No matter how the fat is stored it has to be warmed up to make suet mixture.

[@smyrnasstory]

So you mentioned pork fat?. Can I use pork fat instead?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Yes you can. Use whatever is available.

[@andyandcallie]

I suppose I can use bacon fat too??

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I use some but it is very salty.

[@joewhite6355]

The cracklings are good to snack on. It's not good for you but most things that taste good aren't

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

So true. But i bet a few are good for you. I've never eaten them. Do you season them?

[@JoesWifeDebra]

I'D use the cracklins for the dogs, next door too. :D But the Thresher and Bluejays will fight over it.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Debra Carson, That is funny. Feeding the cracklings is as fun as feeding the suet!

[@stevelewis8919]

how much beef fat did you start with?

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Good question. I fill the crock pot full and it cooks down substantially. Maybe to half.

[@juanitahuisentruit1989]

Ahh after the fat is removed you have crackling that are really good in been burritos covered in green chili sauce

[@marybowden1384]

If you line the crock pot with tin foil you don't have to wash it.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Great advice

[@Opalmizer]

Why is it boiling. I make mine in the oven for 24 hours at no more than 140 F.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I wouldn't think 140 is warm enough. How long does it take?

[@vanmann8347]

Cooking in a pot on your stove will save you hours of agony. You can’t get enough heat to melt the tallow down and create those delicious cracklings. Obviously you have way too much time on your hands if you’re using a crock pot.🤔

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

It does take a long time. But I know you can't rush it or it will burn. What is your secret.

[@jenniferrice5877]

⚠️ Warning: Rendered beef or pig fat is not Suet. Suet is the heavy fat found around organs like kidneys etc. Your right you've made rendered fat from tallow, not suet. Not as healthy for your birds. DON'T CALL IT WHAT IT'S NOT!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I think people use the term suet that way because of all the suet cakes on the market.

[@MysteriaSdrassa]

not sure why you want to feed good crakilin's to the birds.. those are a delicacy in the south

[@vanmann8347]

You should have titled this video “how to put someone to sleep without narcotics”

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

First person to ever say that.

[@chrish7975]

Rendering beef fat gives you LARD. Suet is completely different..it is specific substance that is found surrounding kidneys.

[@ThereIsNoLord]

"suet" is also a term used for something to feed birds.

[@EricaceaeCalluna]

Lard is specifically from PORK, not beef. There are various grades of lard some better for baking aka leaf lard made from the high-quality fat around the kidneys and loin of the pig. Suet is the raw, hard fat of beef or mutton found around the loins and kidneys. I had to go check myself regarding Tallow as I grew up understanding Tallow was rendered beef fat. But that is not technically correct. Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat, primarily made up of triglycerides. It is solid at room temperature. Unlike suet, tallow can be stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration to prevent decomposition, provided it is kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidation. In industry, tallow is not strictly defined as beef or mutton fat. In this context, tallow is animal fat that conforms to certain technical criteria, including its melting point. Commercial tallow commonly contains fat derived from other animals, such as lard from pigs, or even from plant sources.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

That was incredibly interesting to read. Maybe it's best to say pork fat or beef fat. But you are right that lard comes from pork.