August 4, 2010
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A Tall(ow) Order
I was speaking to my co-worker’s boyfriend between orders today at work. It just so happens that he is also a co-worker, though he works in the meat department as a butcher. I had been meaning to ask him something but kept forgetting or was too busy at certain times. Finally today I remembered and had the opportunity.
“Ryan, do you guys ever have any leftover beef fat, or do you use it all in the ground meat and such?”
He looked at me, very puzzled for a moment.
“Uhh…yeah…we have leftover fat. Why?”
“I want some beef fat, to render it into tallow.”
He looked at me again, the look of puzzlement turned into a look of “wow, you’re kinda crazy, aren’t you?”.
“Sure, I can get you some if you want, but not today because it’s all been sitting there too long. How much do you need?”
“How much do you usually have?” I asked.
“One or two bone buckets full, most days.”
“How big is a bone bucket?”
He showed me with his hands, about the size of a large industrial garbage can.
“OH! I don’t need that much! Enough to fill a large stock pot would be fine.” I laughed.
He agreed to get me some fresh beef fat as soon as he could (probably tomorrow). It may be something that I can just have without paying anything for it, since they usually just dispose of it, but I am going to ask the boss anyway, because I don’t want anyone getting into trouble (myself included). Still, even if I have to pay for it, it should be very inexpensive.
What, you may ask, do I plan on doing with this tallow? I am going to cook with it, mostly. I may use some to make my own soap, or maybe some candles.
Tallow has a high smoke point, so it is good for frying. It is also loaded with health benefits*:
- Enhances the immune system
- Builds and strengthens bones and teeth (preventing cavities and osteoporosis)
- Provides energy and structural integrity to the cells
- Protects the liver
- Enhances the body’s use of essential fatty acids
- Does not become rancid easily
- Does not call upon the body’s reserves of antioxidants
- Does not initiate cancer
- Does not irritate the artery walls
*Taken from cheeseslave.com
I don’t use vegetable oils to cook with. I think they are bad news for the human body. I won’t go into a long explanation of that here, but I am not the only one who thinks that. There are many resources online…Google the origination of vegetable oils. You may be surprised at what you discover.
I am of the firm opinion that vegetable oils are one of the reasons why there is a rise in cardiovascular problems in our populace. It may also contribute to cancers that are very common today. Check out this video about vegetable oils:
So, I prefer to use saturated fat for cooking and consuming. Coconut oil, butter, and bacon grease are usually my mainstay fats, but I am out of coconut oil, and not everything tastes good cooked in bacon grease. Butter has a low smoke point and burns easily. Tallow seems to be a reasonably inexpensive way for me to go, and since I have a seemingly endless supply of this resource, I am going for it!
I plan on taking photos of my tallow making project to post here. I’ve never rendered my own tallow before, this should be an adventure!
When you use oil to cook with, what do you use?
Comments (18)
I use coconut oil, olive oils & butter. I’m going to sub to him & check out more of his vids & he made me lol & shake my head yep alot.
@Made2sing4Jesus - He has a lot of awesome informational health video’s. I like him, and his take on things. Enjoy!
btw I it was the HS that lead us away from the other oils & had us try coconut & go back to butter & real food products. Wanted Him to get the Glory…
@Made2sing4Jesus - (What’s HS?) I eat real, whole foods. I believe we humans have played around too much with what God created and our diet no longer resembles anything of what it is supposed to be. We’ve messed around with genetic modifications, and it’s not a good thing. And you can’t buy anything off the shelf at the grocery that isn’t processed, or doesn’t have some kind of nasty additives.
@Made2sing4Jesus - NM…Holy Spirit…brain fart, LOL.
I only use butter or extra virgin olive oil.
I use butter,bacon fat or olive oil. I have rendered lard after butchering,it is a lot of work but I have always been happy to do job well. Can not wait to see pix.
bacon fat and butter …………….. and olive oil ………….. mostly butter
(and I catch a lot of hell for it too. been following high protein most of my life)
We use a lot of olive oil, some butter and some vegetable oil. I’ve never heard of using coconut oil before, does it make things taste different? Is it expensive?
Now I want bacon. LoL
@comet555 - Good deal!
@seedsower - I am sure it will be a butt buster! I hope he gets me the beef fat today. I want to get started on it! My next project, if this one goes okay, will be making lard.
@Alive_in_Vegas - It’s hard when you know you’re doing the right thing but the vast majority believe information they’ve been spoon-fed. I love breaking the myths, though. I mean, how could I be healthy and thin and eat all the saturated fat and red meat I do? I can’t change the world alone, but if only one other person gets it it’s worth the hell I’ve caught!
@skittler335 - Mmm….bacon! Ha ha! I buy Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, when I can afford it, at the health food store. It is on the pricey side. There are two different kinds of EVCO, one that has a taste and smell of coconuts, and one that doesn’t. I prefer the one that doesn’t (and I can’t remember the brand name right now), so there is no coconut flavor to what I cook in it. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid, and it’s really good for ya. Here’s a good article about it: Smart Fuel: Coconut Oil.
I cook with butter, olive oil or bacon fat. I would also use peanut oil if there were any in the house.
Butter, olive oil or veggie for the higher heat things. I like to cook with bacon fat, but never keep it around, ’cause it’s “unhealthy”. But I’m looking up the vegetable oil claims, now.
So, you’re having some sort of impact. 
@Aloysius_son - Lotsa smart, good fat-loving people here it seems! I am not alone! OMG…I’m not alone…I’d better put my clothes on…
@princessjami - Well, what did you think? Try this link, I think you will enjoy, and then top it off with something cooked in bacon grease. It’s good for you!
@CynaraJane - no need to put your clothes on, on my account… Don’t mind me .. I am just going to set my easle up here and paint a while.
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