If you love cooking with bacon grease you’ve probably wondered – how hot can I heat this stuff before it starts smoking? Knowing the smoke point of bacon fat allows you to use it safely and effectively as a cooking oil.
In this article, we’ll explore the smoke point of bacon grease and how it compares to other fats. We’ll also provide tips on proper usage and disposal to avoid potential hazards
So grab some tongs and let’s sizzle up some bacon knowledge!
What is Bacon Grease?
Bacon grease, also called bacon fat or drippings, is the rendered animal fat leftover from cooking bacon. As the bacon cooks, the fat melts off and accumulates in the bottom of the pan.
This flavorful byproduct can be saved for future cooking uses. The clear golden liquid has a high smoke point and adds a lovely smoky, porky flavor to various dishes.
The Smoke Point of Bacon Grease
The smoke point or smoke temperature refers to the point when an oil or fat begins releasing bluish smoke and decomposing. For bacon grease, the smoke point falls around
375°F or 190°C
With this smoke point, bacon grease can be used for most cooking methods except deep-frying. Compare this to the smoke points of other common fats:
- Butter – 350°F or 177°C
- Lard – 370°F or 188°C
- Olive oil – 374°F or 190°C
- Vegetable oil – 450°F or 232°C
As you can see, bacon grease can withstand relatively high heat before smoking and potentially releasing carcinogens.
How to Cook Safely with Bacon Grease
Knowing the smoke point allows you to safely harness the flavor power of bacon grease. Follow these tips:
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Use bacon grease for sautéing, stir-frying, roasting, baking, etc. It can handle most cooking tasks.
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Avoid extremely high heats like deep frying. Opt for oils with smoke points over 400°F for these methods.
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If the grease starts smoking, immediately remove it from heat to prevent further breakdown.
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Mix with other vegetable oils when cooking at very high temps to raise the smoke point.
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Store cooled bacon grease in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
With proper handling, bacon grease adds amazing flavor with minimal risks.
Creative Uses for Bacon Grease
From eggs to popcorn, bacon grease boosts flavor in sweet and savory dishes:
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Fry eggs – Sunny-side up eggs are next level when fried in bacon fat.
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Saute greens – Kale, spinach, and chard caramelize beautifully with bacon grease.
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Roast potatoes – Crispy roasted potatoes are elevated with a bacon fat base.
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Popcorn drizzle – For a smoky, savory snack, use bacon fat in place of butter on popcorn.
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Saute shrimp – Bacon grease gives shrimp incredible richness.
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Bake chicken – Brush chicken pieces with bacon fat before roasting.
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Sausage gravy – Bacon grease adds flavor complexity to creamy sausage gravy.
With its high smoke point and porky flavor, the possibilities are endless for cooking with bacon grease!
Proper Disposal of Bacon Grease
Because bacon grease solidifies when cooled, many people make the mistake of pouring it down drains. This can lead to plumbing disasters as the fat sticks to pipes.
Follow these tips for safe bacon grease disposal:
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Allow grease to fully cool and harden before disposal.
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Transfer to a non-recyclable container like a tin can or heat-safe jar.
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Throw the sealed container in the regular trash.
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You can also add Kitty Litter to solidify then trash.
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Never pour grease or fats down the drain or garbage disposal.
With proper disposal, you can enjoy bacon grease without damaging pipes or sewer systems.
Storing and Reusing Bacon Grease
One of the perks of cooking with bacon fat is that it stores well for future use. Follow these tips for storing and reusing your leftover bacon grease:
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Let grease fully cool then transfer to an airtight container.
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Glass jars or metal coffee cans work great for storage.
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Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or freezer for up to 6 months.
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When ready to reuse, scoop out the solidified fat as needed.
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Melt slowly over low heat or use cold in baking recipes.
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Add to eggs, vegetables, meats etc for added bacon flavor.
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Discard if grease smells rancid or looks dark.
With proper storage in sealed containers, bacon grease can be saved for months of cooking enjoyment.
The Bottom Line on Bacon Grease
When used responsibly, bacon grease is a flavorful fat for various cooking applications thanks to its high 375°F smoke point. It adds a lovely depth of flavor through its smoky, porky essence.
Just keep cooking temperatures in mind, dispose of grease properly after use, and store leftovers in sealed containers.
So savor the flavors and have fun cooking with this versatile kitchen staple. With bacon grease on hand, you’re ready to add a punch of meaty flavor to all kinds of dishes!
Step 2: Thaw the Grease
Since it took so long to collect the bacon fat, I had to freeze it. It’s important to let it thaw; you don’t want to be ready to fry and only have ice blocks! I heated the jars in boiling water to make the fat easy to pour out.
Introduction: Deep Fried Everything in Bacon Grease
This instructable is meant to teach you how to fry a turkey (or goose) in bacon fat.
This project started a long long time ago, and none of my friends thought I was serious. until I hit the half-way point in stocking the bacon fat in the freezer. Finally, after 3 years, and over 100 lbs of bacon, it was game day!.
Follow my YouTube and instructables channels and post a picture of yourself saying “I’ve made it” to get the free pro membership coupon I got when this instructables was featured.
You will need the following
- You can freeze bacon grease in glass jars while you cook it. It took me two years and about 100 pounds of bacon to get here. To cut down on waste, cook a lot of bacon at once, as I’ve shown before. That way, you’ll lose less bacon because the fat sticks to things and such. incidentally, once you are done collecting it. bacon grease! Lots of it.
- Anything you want to fry, like a thawed turkey, fries, hot dogs, or even goose!
- A turkey deep fryer. It is cheaper to buy a kit than to buy the pot by itself. I looked at a lot of different options and found that kits were usually the best deal. The kit I got had an 80L pot, a big strainer that fits inside it, a clever hooking system for safely taking the turkey out, a very long thermometer, and the burner. Not only that, but the burner has extra safety features like a timer that needs to be set every 15 minutes. If something starts to burn and you can’t get to the shutoff valve, it will stop the propane flow on its own after a few minutes.
- sand, just in case of a fire. I got 6x 30KG bags.
- a shovel to throw the sand on the fire
How to Save Your Bacon Grease
How should I store bacon grease?
To store bacon grease, first get rid of any small bits of bacon: Place a coffee filter or cheesecloth over the mouth of a glass container, like a Mason jar or a container made for bacon drippings. Press the filter down so that it fits snugly inside the mouth of the jar.
Can bacon grease be frozen?
Yes, bacon grease can be frozen and it will last in the freezer for up to a year. To properly store it, pour the strained grease into a temperature-safe, airtight container and place it in the freezer. When it’s time to use it, defrost the bacon grease by transferring the container to the refrigerator overnight.
How do you strain bacon grease?
To strain bacon grease, set a fine mesh strainer over a heat safe bowl or vessel, like a spouted glass measuring cup, says Abbott. (Chavez uses a coffee filter or cheesecloth.) Pour the slightly cooled grease through the strainer. Use a heat-proof spatula to scrape every last drop.
Can you cook with bacon grease?
She has plenty of experience cooking with bacon grease, and all the advice you need when it comes to its smoky rich goodness. Before pouring bacon fat into a container, you’ll probably notice those burnt flecks on the bottom of your cooking vessel. That’s something you want to avoid keeping along with your bacon fat.