How To Render Tallow: Wet vs. Dry, and must know tips!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

“Thanks for watching! Have you tried rendering tallow before? Which method do you prefer-wet or dry? Let me know in the comments below, and feel free to ask any questions-I’m here to help! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more homesteading tips and DIY projects!”

[@LouBee2and8]

Thanx so much! I spent all day yesterday rendering tallow and lard. The tallow I tried both dry and wet method and I was nervous to mess up since I’m no pioneer woman, but willing!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Yayy.. good for you! you’ve got this!!! It makes a nuclear difference in your food. I love it! Keep me posted on how you like it ! 😊

[@albrightfs]

I've never seen the blender method.. Thank you!... i'm in the process of rendering fat from our cow we butchered on property. Just processed and put in jars 2 1/2 gallons of leaf lard and now working on the rest of the lard. Our chickens love the "cracklins..

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

That’s exciting! Yes oh it really save time! Don’t blend it toooo smooth! I did some that was from a different cow! I wet rendered it! I guess it’s the fat! But it got like soup super fast and I had to wet render it about 5 times! It wanted to hold onto the water! ( but it had been in the freezer for almost a year! So it could have been that! Thank you so much for watching! Let me know how it turns out!

[@toshapoole08]

You’re such a good teacher Lo! I love your videos!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Aww thank you so much for watching! 😊

[@claireryan8074]

Very good demo. Thank you. I will happily purchase my tallow.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@erica7158]

When you canned the wet rendering, what temperature was the fat when you put into the jars? Great video.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I didn’t check the temperature! It was very hot! And the heat pulls out the oxygen and the jars seal! I didn’t pressure can! It’s not necessary with the tallow! Thanks for watching!

[@marleneharden544]

Hello..❤ I absolutely love your channel! I live in Dallas Tx. I'm so glad I found you and your sweet spirit of life 😇 I was looking and praying 🙏 that ppl from the city could buy your beautiful tallow? I do have some oils but can stock much more. I have looked on line for Tallow Organic but who to trust? Thank you for your video's we need to go with what God gave us 😇

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you so much… you sound like you have a precious spirit ♥️. Yes it is. So hard to source good tallow. It’s becoming so popular you have to really do your research. I did a little checking on amazon. And I’ll link one that I think would be a safe place to start. I checked on Azure Standard ( that is a drop shipping company that carries products that we can trust. ) however it’s a process. They had this same tallow I’m linking for sale on their website. So I checked amazon, read the reviews. So I feel pretty confident recommending this one. Also if you have a Whole Foods grocery store or Earth fare, probably a little more expensive. But you could at least try a few brands. Also when spring gets here if your city has a farmers market. Go visit, shop from the growers. And build relationships. They can probably get you some info on sources. I also just saw something saying that Costco was now carrying some. I hope that helps. If I find something else really good on Amazon I’ll try to remember to come post it! Thank you so so much for watching . Yes using what God made is definitely the best! ♥️ ♥️

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Well for some reason the link won’t post. It’s called fatworks it’s organic grass fed.

[@kayb.5322]

After watching this video, I feel much better about trying it. Thanks for a great video.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

You can do it! And the wet render is now my favorite now lol! Just do that last render without water really well. Let me know how it turns out! 😊thank you for watching!

[@annemorrison9922]

Good video 😊

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you for watching ♥️

[@isabelladavis1363]

Thank you for sharing this a well presented video showing the pros and cons of the different methods …great channel

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for watching 😊

[@vginnmusa3128]

Bubbles indicate moisture evaporating. If it doesn't bubble, water is gone. Learned this making ghee.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Yes♥️. Thank you so much for watching! 😊

[@dravonwalker2352]

So excited try this! I used the wet method and after like 5 attempts it still stank. I had to baking soda in the water which helped a LOT but still had a mild smell. I’m about to order more suet so I look forward to trying the dry method, or like you a mix of both. Thank you!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Well that stinks! LOL. literally! The tallow I used in the video was unusually clean! I did a different batch after that and I had to wet render it about 6 times! Unfortunately if you were put off by the wet render smell. The dry method will definitely have a smell! You may try new suet and wet render again. Maybe it was the suet??? Let me know how it turns out and Thank you so much for watching!

[@jessiewhite7783]

Great video, very informative. Thank you!!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you! 😊 any thanks so much for watching!

[@gaylescovel7308]

Im fixing to do my first tallow so Im especially gratefull for this tutorial❣️ Thankyou❣️❣️❣️

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Oh exciting! Let me know how it turns out! Thank you so much for watching!!! 😊

[@gaylescovel7308]

@littlebitahomestead6891 i will try but im very forgetfull these days. My daughter has been trying her first time, lol. She over estimated how much she had! 6 days in n i still dont know if she finished. She did report that some was very white! 😁

[@pde442]

Awesome video

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@Funnyvideosonline-t2p]

Such a great video. How do you prepare the jars?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

@@Funnyvideosonline-t2p thank you! I placed clean jars! In the oven! ( if you want to sterilize them they need 375 degrees for 20 minutes). I did not do that! I had clean jars probably 250 ish degrees. I just wanted the jars to be really hot so the glass wouldn’t break from the heat shock! I’ve not had a problem this way! As it’s not a moist environment! But you definitely could sterilize if that makes you more comfortable! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@NatalieWainwright-h9w]

Love watching your videos so was wondering where do you get your jars from also your funnels

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you so much! I get my jars multiple places! Walmart, grocery stores, tractor supply! I also look on facebook marketplace and have bought some used! I get the funnel on Amazon, let me see if I can find the link! I found some cute little squatty jars on Amazon too! I appreciate you sharing watching!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I bought mine several years ago. This isn’t the exact one but it had good reviews and looks the closest to mine! Also a company called forjars sells everything, jars lid’s accessories! Very trustworthy brand as far as I can tell! They have a website 😊 hope that helps !

[@LouBee2and8]

I didn’t see it in the comments, but what’s the link to the immersion blender you used? Or what wattage?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Sorry no link! It’s a NutriBullet model NBI-100 it was a gift! I like the long neck on the immersion part! It says 350watts on the sticker! I looked on Amazon for one like it! But no luck! It’s several years old! Thank you for watching! ♥️

[@oyandakona5994]

Im going to the butcher so early in the morning this is cool🤗❤️

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Ohhh exciting. Keep me posted. Thank you for watching. 😊♥️

[@janetcarpenter8589]

Just starting actually

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Awesome! Thank you for watching 😊♥️

[@longarmsupplies]

What did we do before we had those stick blenders? LOL. thanks for the great instructions.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

🤣🤣 right!!!! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@JaneThomas58]

Very well done.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking time to watch! 😊

[@dtharge4082]

Can u reuse the bar towels?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I actually cut them up into small squares and just throw them away! Because they come 4 or 5 towels for $5 at Walmart! I don’t know why I grabbed that big ol towel! Personally it would be too messy for it to be worth it! I use those towels cut smaller for almost anything I would use cheese cloth! I do wash them for other projects but the fat is a pain! Thank you for watching! 😊♥️

[@tammiehinkle2040]

I reuse mine, dip them in hot water, ring out in a bowl/bucket to dump outside(so you're not dumping fat in your plumbing) Then wash them. After washing I will no longer use for cooking, but instead use them for cleaning now Hope that helps!! P.S. one thing i almost forgot, the oil on the cloth is AMAZING for cleaning stainless appliances & leaving them "print proof"(i used to use mineral oil for this)....so that's another way(before the hot water rinses)

[@loanalacy4701]

Oh that’s a great idea ♥️ you know I actually could just keep them and use on my cast iron! I keep a cotton cloth with tallow in a mason jars and wipe out my cast iron skillets! 🙄 I could have been saving them ! Lol thanks for the tip!

[@aidegarabedian2073]

Why on the last render tu didn’t place the tallow in a metal bowl to check how hard was? I sis exactly the same as you did and I had to renders it 4 times in dry and my talks stil soft in the center, i understand if it is soft it has water. Well mine doesn’t and still soft 🤷🏻‍♀️I am about to give up

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

When I did the wet method. On the last time I reheated the tallow, I didn’t add water. I was heating it to soften it and let any excess moisture still in the fat to ( cook off). To evaporate out! So the step to put it in the bowl wasn’t necessary on the last step! As for your tallow not setting up. ( without see what you started with) it is possible that you had fat from other parts of the cow besides the hard suet from around the organs! The fat from around the meat and other parts of the cow won’t get solid! It stays a little soft. So that would be my guess! Could that be possible? Don’t give up! It seems to me that is the problem! You can still use it for cooking! Also if you live in a hot climate it may be too warm. However if that was the issue it would probably be softer on the outside first! Don’t give up!!! Just yesterday I saw where a lady purchased tallow already rendered and it was soft too! Someone sold her rendered fat. Not true tallow! It’s still usable. Did you get the smell out with your rendering?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you for the question! My next video is on the fats I use for cooking! And I’ll talk about the difference in the fat some more !

[@almakasimati5872]

Thank you for your video. Do you sell that product?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I’m sorry I don’t! Maybe I need to! lol! If I decide to I’ll let you know! Thank you for watching!

[@almakasimati5872]

@@littlebitahomestead6891 Yes, pleeeease.

[@Ruthy780]

I feel that adding salt helps preserve the fat. Is that another purpose for the salt being added?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Possibly. It’s supposed to help draw out the impurities and the moisture! Thank you for watching! 😊♥️

[@JillGonzalez-d7t]

How do you recommend washing your tea towel, or do you just toss them?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I actually cut them down into manageable squares and yes toss them! ( I just grabbed that one when I videoed . Don’t know why lol) I get a pack of 4 or 5 for around $5 at Walmart! I use them in place of cheese cloth for my things! Some get washed depending on what I used them for! But the tallow I definitely throw it away! It could be washed but I don’t! But if I’m straining an herbal oil I will wash those! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@JillGonzalez-d7t]

@@littlebitahomestead6891 I just cut one down a few minutes ago, into four squares. Thank you for answering and mostly, thank you for the very informative video!

[@loanalacy4701]

@ ♥️

[@susannemeyer-fitzsimmons9262]

I am wondering if you throw the flour sack towel you use for filtering the rendered tallow away after use? Or is there a safe way to clean and wash it for reuse that doesn't clog the plumbing?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I actually usually cut one up into smaller pieces ( don’t know why I used that big one! lol it was probably easy to get to) I get them for around $5 I think a pack of four or five! You could soak and boil and discard water! But if I cut up a towel it’s pennies on the dollar so I throw the pieces away! It’s a pain to clean! I’ve tried coffee filters and it’s so slow and you have to change them so often! And the towel piece do a great job! Thank you so much for watching! 😊

[@susannemeyer-fitzsimmons9262]

@@littlebitahomestead6891 Makes sense, thank you!

[@jaisonsmom]

My tallow cream never set up. I whipped it for more than 25 minutes or more. I got my tallow from a local farm. What happened?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Are you sure it was the suet? The fat from around the organs? I’ve seen people have problems if it was just fat trimmings! For example of it was just the fat from around the roast, or normal meat cuts! That type of fat will get harder in when refrigerated but stay soft at room temperature. ??? Other than that I’m really not sure. I’m sorry that happened to you! Thank you for watching!

[@LouBee2and8]

How much salt on the second melting of the wet method?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

It’s recommended approximately 1 tablespoon per pound of tallow. That’s a good rule of thumb. Thank you for watching. 😊

[@jillblair3973]

hi! My question is, why are there no impurities in the dry render method, like the wet render? Thank you!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

With the dry rendering I cooks the moisture out of the meat bits and pieces. One they get kinda crispy. And I filtered it through the towel! With the wet render it doesn’t cook the bits hardly at all so you don’t get the cooked meat flavor! And it settles in the water and you scrape it off and do it repeatedly until it’s clean! 😊 I’m actually liking the wet render now! As long as I make sure to do one last good dry render after all the impurities are out! It’s been good! Thank you so much for watching! 😊

[@SarahAlexander-m3d]

Do you have a website we can purchase from?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

No I’m sorry! Not at this time! Hopefully in the future! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@evelineyoung7709]

I do it ever month, no oils in my kitchen. Unless im making soap. I also make my skincare with it. Its the best

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@erincleary4303]

Did your leave your wet rendered tallow out at room temperature to see if it got moldy?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

I have left it at room temperature! And no mold so far! But I was pretty careful to try to make sure I got all the moisture out! ! It really is nicer for skincare. Thank you so much for watching! ♥️

[@Sunsetschano]

Coudnt you do the wet render then a few times, dry render the same batch towards the end of the process?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Yes I did one dry render but two definitely wouldn’t hurt! I’m liking it more now! That was a nice batch of fat, I did a batch after that wasn’t as clean! I had to render that batch about 6 times! I stored it upside down so if anything shows up it won’t be on the bottom! So far so good! ! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@Sunsetschano]

@littlebitahomestead6891 Great idea storing it upside down! I will have to remember that!

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

@@SunsetschanoI gave it some more thought. I would think it would be hard to do a second dry rendering ( trying to get it out of that bowl without water) so I think one really good dry rendering would be good! Sorry I wasn’t thinking! It’s sounded like a great idea 😊

[@Sunsetschano]

@littlebitahomestead6891 Are you talking about getting it out of the circle bowl? Could you just take a blowtorch to the sides just enough to melt to lubricate?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

@ you could but I’m saying it wouldn’t be necessary. If you dry render well once .

[@terrimendenhall1473]

Good morning, I have tallow that I have rendered BUT I don't think I put salt in it to help take out the impurities. Can I still do that? I know I can boil or simmer it to get the excess water out which I will do this weekend, but I wondered about the step before that? Thanks for any info. Terrim

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Yes I think you can render it again with salt . But first so I understand correctly. Did you just add water and no salt to wet render? Or did you dry render ( no water)?

[@terrimendenhall1473]

@@littlebitahomestead6891 I did the water rendering. I just didn't realize I needed to put salt in it.

[@loanalacy4701]

@ ok yes do one with salt and see what it looks like and go from there. Then do a good dry render and you should be fine. It’s probably ok now but I’m just not 100% sure 🤓. Better safe than sorry.

[@arleensuarez7543]

I did wet rendering. After rending it 4x, it barely have any scent and it's white. Did I render too much?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

That’s great! It sounds like you did a very good job. I just did a batch that I had to render 4 times. The batch I used in the video was unusually clean. Congratulations! 😊. Thank you for watching.

[@zizouxx]

Please help! My tallow is extremely soft and isn’t turning into a nice block after rendering and refrigeration. Not sure what to do

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Oh I’m sorry. My guess is that the fat was normal fat from the cow. The tallow that sets up hard is the “ suet” it’s the fat from around the organs. You can still use it for cooking. But I would keep it refrigerated. Where did you get your fat?

[@claricel8440]

Is this only leaf/kidney fat, or can muscle fat also be used?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

It is definitely the preferred fat! Especially if using for skincare! Also fat from other cuts of meat usually won’t get as solid and can be a bit runny. I definitely save fat from other cuts of meat, but I keep them for only cooking. Thank you for watching!

[@vampgirl92496]

It is near impossible to get tallow in my area. The butchers don't have it because the meat producers sell it. ZI do get 100% grass fed tallow in jars at Walmart of all places.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

😊

[@jjbuttercup84]

I have gotten some from grocery store that butchers meat. Rouses.

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Sorry! I typed out a response and for some reason it just put the smiley face! I’ll have to check that out! Yes especially the grass fed butchers! They know what they have! I may order some from Azure standard. I’ve heard good things about them! Thank you for watching!

[@missykp1]

You don’t need to leave the wet one in the fridge that long. I did two batches wet rendered and purified in one day

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Yes you are right! I was doing the dry and the wet in one day! And that was just the timing! When I got it in the fridge that evening! I had been in the kitchen almost all day! I cooked dinner, and canned up the dry rendering! And went to bed! And then I had to time it around work! It was just my schedule! It just happened that way plus filming! 😊 I thank you for watching! ♥️

[@missykp1]

@ I just tried this method the other day for the first time (before I watched this) and I laughed when you said you found all the pink salt in the bottom….I did the exact same and in fact it’s gritty in my lotion 😩 Maybe dissolve it in hot water first 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@oyandakona5994]

Can one add essential oil?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Yes if you are making the skin cream! I add frankincense , and several others! Did you see the tallow face cream video I have? I used some essential oils in that video! Thank you for watching! ♥️

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/omOtl4eAnrucnZIsi=zDKeTzpYa1iWUrWd

[@oyandakona5994]

Thank you so much for sharing I just came back from the butcher im so excited to try it out ill watch the vid xoxo 🇿🇦

[@edwinaberlijn3662]

Was great

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@PunkyYaya]

Why don't you pressure can?

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Good question. Tallow is shelf stable once it’s rendered. But you could pressure can it if you wanted. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@BarryBernau]

I recommend a bread knife

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

Would probably be good! That’s my favorite knife I use it inappropriately for everything! 😃😊

[@mariacastro-xk6jx]

when I was a child , my Mom would render fat from chicken skins and add olive oil and skin so soft, she would use this as a body lotion on us

[@littlebitahomestead6891]

@@mariacastro-xk6jx I love that! ♥️ I bet you had nice skin! My friend talks about a lady in her community when she was growing up . Had beautiful skin! She said she used lard! Thank you for watching!

[@porkchop4401]

....making it from bacon..