Tallow Rendering FAQs | ANSWERS TO YOUR RENDERING QUESTIONS! | Bumblebee Apothecary

Summary

In this informative video, Marissa from Bumblebee Apothecary addresses common questions about rendering tallow, a natural fat used in skincare and cooking. She confirms that leaving the lid on during the process helps in dry climates, clarifies that adding salt does not make the tallow salty, and emphasizes the method's effectiveness in producing odorless tallow. Marissa also tackles concerns about color variation, rendering time, and consistency, offering tips for both cooking and skincare uses. A highlight is her time-saving trick using an immersion blender to break down large fat chunks, increasing yield and simplifying the rendering process.

Takeaways

• 📺 Marissa from Bumblebee Apothecary is addressing frequently asked questions about rendering tallow in a video.
• 🔗 A link to a detailed video of the tallow rendering process will be provided for further reference.
• 🧂 Adding salt during the rendering process does not make the tallow salty; it helps in purifying by drawing impurities into the water.
• 🍲 The rendered tallow is odorless, especially when compared to tallow made with a dry method which can have a beefy smell.
• 🐄 The color of the final tallow can vary depending on factors like the breed of cattle and their diet, but a yellowish hue is normal and not a sign of poor quality.
• 🕒 The rendering time can vary greatly depending on the size of the fat chunks and the method used, with Marissa recommending 8 to 12 hours for the initial rendering step.
• 🥣 The leftover water from rendering can be used in soups or given to chickens, but it's important to consider the salt content.
• 🧈 Tallow consistency can vary due to many factors, including the breed of cattle and their diet, but this does not indicate a mistake in the rendering process.
• 🔥 If tallow has a strong beefy smell from being rendered too hot, the purifying steps may not completely remove the smell, but it's still good for cooking.
• 🍳 The choice of rendering method depends on the intended use; a wet rendering method with purifying steps is best for soap or skincare, while a dry method might be sufficient for cooking.
• ⏱️ A new trick shared by Marissa involves using an immersion blender to break down large chunks of fat after a few hours of initial rendering, which speeds up the process and increases yield.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Marissa's video from bumblebeeapothecary.com?

The main topic of Marissa's video is rendering tallow, including the process of purifying it and answering frequently asked questions about it.

Why does Marissa recommend keeping the lid on the crock pot while rendering tallow?

Marissa recommends keeping the lid on the crock pot to prevent water from evaporating, which is important in dry climates like Colorado where she lives, to avoid the tallow from starting to burn.

Does adding salt to the tallow during the rendering process make it salty?

No, adding salt to the tallow during rendering does not make it salty. The salt helps to draw impurities out of the tallow and into the water, and since oil and water don't mix, the salt remains in the water.

How does Marissa's method of rendering tallow affect its odor?

Marissa's method produces tallow that is odorless to most people's noses, meaning there is no beefy or meaty smell. The quality of the tallow used can affect any residual smell.

What color should the finished tallow be according to Marissa's method?

The finished tallow should be light-colored, which can sometimes have a yellowish tint depending on the breed of cattle and their diet, but it should not be brown or burned.

How long does the initial step of rendering tallow in a crock pot typically take?

The initial step of rendering tallow can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, depending on the size of the fat chunks and the method used.

What can be done with the water left after rendering tallow?

The water, which may have a gelatinous texture, can be used for other purposes like soup stock, but one should be mindful of the salt content. Marissa personally gives it to her chickens.

What factors affect the consistency of the rendered tallow?

The consistency of the rendered tallow can be affected by the breed of cattle, the time of year, their diet, and whether the fat is leaf fat or trim fat from under the skin.

Can the purification steps remove a strong beefy smell from tallow rendered using a different method?

If the beefy smell comes from burning during the initial rendering, the purification steps may not completely remove the smell. However, tallow with a beefy smell is good for cooking purposes.

What is the trick Marissa shares to speed up the rendering process and increase yield?

Marissa shares the trick of using an immersion blender to whizz up the fat chunks after they have been heated and softened in the crock pot, which speeds up the rendering process and ensures all fat is rendered.

Can tallow be left at room temperature to solidify after straining?

Yes, tallow can be left at room temperature to solidify. It is a stable fat and will harden without issue, although softer tallow may prefer colder temperatures or refrigeration.