How Hot Does Bacon Grease Get? Everything You Need To Know

Bacon grease is a popular cooking fat that adds tons of flavor to recipes. But before cooking with bacon fat, an important question comes up – how hot does bacon grease get before it starts smoking?

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about bacon grease’s smoking point, how it stacks up against other oils, how to cook safely with it, and some fun ways to use it in the kitchen.

What is Bacon Grease?

Bacon grease, also called bacon fat or bacon drippings, refers to the rendered fat left over after cooking bacon. It’s the clear, golden liquid that’s left in the skillet once the bacon is nice and crispy

To make real bacon grease, cook bacon slowly in the oven or on the stove until the fat comes out. This is not the same as the burnt bits you get when you quickly fry bacon in a pan.

To collect clean bacon fat, cook the bacon properly, then strain through a cheesecloth into a heatproof container Store in the fridge for later use.

Bacon grease is semi-solid at room temp but melts into a liquid when heated. It lends recipes a lovely smoky, porky flavor.

What is the Smoking Point of Bacon Grease?

The smoking point or smoke point refers to the temperature at which an oil or fat starts producing bluish smoke and decomposing. This signals that it’s overheated and may release harmful compounds.

Bacon grease has a smoking point around 375°F or 190°C. This makes it suitable for most cooking methods besides deep frying.

For comparison, olive oil’s smoke point is also 375°F. Vegetable and canola oil can get hotter, around 400-450°F before smoking.

So feel free to use bacon fat for sautéing, pan frying, roasting, baking, etc. But avoid letting it get so hot that it smokes, as this indicates the fats are breaking down.

How Bacon Grease Compares to Other Fats

Bacon fat differs from other cooking oils and fats in a few key ways:

Point of smoke: As we already said, bacon grease has a moderate point of smoke at 375°F. Because of this, it’s not as good for deep-frying as oils like avocado or peanut, which can go over 400°F.

Nutrition – Bacon fat has about 120 calories and 14g of fat per tablespoon, similar to olive and canola oils. But it contains more monounsaturated “good” fats and no trans fats.

Flavor – No contest here, bacon grease wins for flavor! The savory, smoky, porky notes it adds are unmatched by neutral oils.

Cost – Since you can save bacon drippings after cooking bacon, bacon grease is free! Oils can get expensive, so this is a great money saver.

Overall, bacon fat makes an excellent cooking oil when you need to add deep flavor. Just keep an eye on the temperature when cooking.

Tips for Cooking Safely with Bacon Grease

Since bacon grease has a lower smoke point than some oils, follow these tips for safe cooking:

• Monitor the heat and don’t let the grease get so hot it smokes. This indicates the fats are breaking down.

• For very high temp cooking like deep frying, opt for a high heat oil like avocado or peanut.

• Store leftover bacon fat in the fridge for up to 1 month. To extend the shelf life, keep it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

• When reheating solidified bacon grease, do it slowly over low heat. Microwaving can cause splattering.

• Add some oil to boost the smoke point if cooking something at high temps. The oil will also cut the strong bacon flavor if desired.

• Discard bacon fat that smells rancid or is dark in color, as it may have gone bad.

With proper storage and handling, bacon grease is a delicious cooking fat. Just keep its lower smoke point in mind.

Creative Uses for Bacon Grease

From savory to sweet, here are some awesome ways to use up bacon fat instead of throwing it out:

• Sautée veggies – Brussels sprouts, kale, green beans, etc get a smoky flavor.

• Roast potatoes – Crispy roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes are delicious with bacon grease.

• Cook eggs – Frying eggs in bacon fat is next level.

• Make popcorn – Drizzle on hot popcorn instead of butter for a salty, savory snack.

• Saute shrimp – Bacon fat gives shrimp incredible richness.

• Bake brownies – For a sweet and salty treat, bake brownies with bacon grease instead of oil.

• Brush on meats – Use it to baste chicken, steaks, chops, etc while grilling.

• Make gravy – Bacon grease adds incredible flavor to gravies and pan sauces.

• Cook fried rice – Stir a bit into your homemade fried rice.

The options are endless! Bacon grease is a cook’s secret ingredient.

Proper Disposal of Bacon Grease

It may be tempting to pour leftover bacon grease down the sink. But this can clog pipes and lead to damage. Follow these tips for proper disposal:

• Allow the grease to fully cool and harden first.

• Pour into an old can, jar or freezer bag. This prevents leaks or spills.

• Toss the container in the regular trash, not recycling.

• You can also add kitty litter to the grease to solidify it before trashing.

• Freeze bacon fat then throw out on trash day to prevent stinking up the trash can.

By being mindful of how you dispose of bacon drippings, you can avoid damage and keep your drains running smoothly.

Is It Safe to Reuse Bacon Grease?

Cooks have reused bacon fat for generations without issue. However, there are a few guidelines to reuse it safely:

• Use clean, fresh grease – Don’t reuse grease with lots of browned bacon bits or impurities.

• Store properly – Keep unused bacon fat refrigerated or frozen in a sealed container.

• Check for spoilage – If the fat smells rancid or is dark in color, discard it.

• Limit reuse – Avoid reusing the same grease more than 2-3 times. The flavor deteriorates.

• Use in cooked dishes – Don’t use previously used grease for raw marinades or dressings.

As long as you follow basic food safety guidelines, reusing bacon grease is an economical, eco-friendly choice for your kitchen.

The Final Verdict on Bacon Grease

When stored and used properly, bacon grease is an invaluable cooking oil. It adds a smoky, savory depth rivaled by no other.

Due to its lower smoke point of 375°F, just keep an eye on the temperature when cooking and avoid very high heats. But otherwise, cook and fry to your heart’s content with this flavorful free fat!

With so many uses from roasting veggies to baking brownies, bacon grease is a versatile and tasty kitchen staple. Just be mindful of how you dispose of it to avoid plumbing and sewer issues.

So embrace one of the tastiest byproducts of cooking everyone’s favorite food – bacon! Your dishes will thank you.