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I just got 1.67 lbs of fresh grass fed suet! I plan on making my first attempt at rendering it tomorrow. If I just render the entire amount, how much would it ultimately yield? It's a pretty big block of fat so I don't want to waste any. Is there anything else that I can or should do with it besides making the tallow?

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Congratulations! :) I've never weighed mine before and after rendering. I just keep it in the freezer and render as I wish.

I usually render one pound at a time in my crockpot. If you have a six-quart pot, you can easily render 1.67 pounds. I like using the water method. Which rendering method are you using?

You could make pemmican. Here is Lex Rooker's How-To Manual for Making Pemmican:

http://www.traditionaltx.us/images/PEMMICAN.pdf


General Recipe for lotion bars, for dry skin:

Equal parts: beeswax, beef fat, a liquid oil. Can combine whatever you have: sweet almond, walnut, olive, etc. Coconut oil is semi-hard, so adjust the recipe if using CO.

Use a double boiler and melt fats slowly. Stir. When completely melted, pour into empty plastic containers. I have neighbors save cream cheese containers for me.

As soon as the lotion bars are cool, turn out and use.

For making salve: 1/4 beeswax, 1/4 beef fat, and 2/4 liquid oils. Can add essential oils, if desired. Pour into sterile glass jars. This is great for lips, cuticles, elbows, heels, etc.

ETA: I ought to have included putting the fat in meatloaf and burgers, etc. to bring the fat ration up to what is desired. I try to keep the 80% fat: 20% protein that Dr. Richard MacKarness recommended in his book, "Eat Fat and Grow Slim:, and also Dr. Blake Donaldson, before him. His book is called "Strong Medicine".

Here is a link to Dr. MacKarness' book:

http://www.ourcivilisation.com/fat/

I do not know of Dr. Donaldon's book being online to read.

I was thinking about uses that might not be obvious, and forgot that some would like to know the standard uses of fat.

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This answer has paleo mentor written all over it. I can picture it now at a conference or seminar, for those who aren't attending the afternoon basics Paleo 102 session: "Intermediate Afternoon Seminar: PaleoGran Teaches You How to Make Lotion Bars and Salves from Beef Fat!" – familygrokumentarian Jan 15 2011 at 0:08
I love it! Do you think it's worth rendering just half of it and using the rest for something else? I'm not sure how much it will "cook down". – Dale Jan 15 2011 at 0:15
Hi, Dale. If you have space in your freezer and you think you won't use up all of what you have very quickly, keeping the unused portion frozen will keep it from oxidizing (going rancid). You can also use rendered fat with lean meat to make meat loaf or burgers to get the 80% fat: 20% protein ratio, if desired. Have you decided on a rendering method? – PaleoGran Jan 15 2011 at 0:22
Oh yeah, I'm leaning towards wet. I saw a wet vs. dry thread before and it seems like most people preferred wet; plus I want to try the cracklins! – Dale Jan 15 2011 at 0:22
Hi, Familygrokumentarain. :) Thanks for the kind thoughts. That afternoon seminar, in a farm house kitchen, or on the back deck, or something homey sounds grand! – PaleoGran Jan 15 2011 at 0:23
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You can just shave bits of it into a pan to cook veggies, chicken, fish etc in, or cook burger in it to bring up the fat level.

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Tim, thanks. That is the obvious use, isn't it? – PaleoGran Jan 15 2011 at 0:04
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Tallow fried potatoes are awesome. I save my tallow for that mostly because it's so good.

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My grandmother used to cook a pound of bacon just to get the fat to fry potatoes then fried some eggs to put on top. I'll definitely have to try it with tallow. – Dale Jan 15 2011 at 1:30
Dale, what happened to the bacon? :) – PaleoGran Jan 15 2011 at 12:13
It got eaten while the potatoes cooked! – Dale Jan 15 2011 at 12:35
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Suet is special tallow. Cherish it. It's fat from kidneys, and when well-rendered doesn't have the same beefy smell or taste as regular tallow.

Since it has a mild and delightful flavor, I suggest using regular tallow for savory foods and setting aside your suet for desserts and other foods that require subtler flavor.

When I rendered some fresh from the butcher awhile back, it was like some mix between palm oil and ghee. Obviously I'm a fan.

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