These separators will have a switch or button on the handle that opens the plug and allows juices to flow out of the bottom. A gravy separator is a kitchen gadget that helps you separate the fat from the meat juices, so you can make a healthier and tastier gravy. Pour the meat juices into the gravy separator carefully, making sure not to spill or overflow. If your gravy separator has a strainer, it will catch any unwanted bits, such as herbs, bones or skin. If not, you can use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the juices before pouring them into the separator. Modelled on our original fat separating jug, which was hugely popular with loads of health-conscious cooks, this version of our Gravy Skimmer Jug is made from robust Tritan, which can resist a higher heat than the previous model. And we’ve listened to the other customer concern too, and added a strainer lid to stop lumps getting into your gravy and keep the spout flowing freely. Cooking is as much an art as it is science. Fat doesn’t mix well with oils and juices. Over time, fat will naturally rise to the top of your gravy, leaving the tasty juices at the bottom. While you can certainly skim the fat off the top, it’s a tedious method. Fat separators do all the hard work for you. Once the two have separated, simply pour from the bottom spout (or release the bottom plug) and you’ll serve delicious gravy while the fat stays at the top.

When it’s not being used for separating fat, you can use this as a standard measuring cup, for heating water in the microwave, or perhaps even for making tea. This is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. If the hole isn’t plugged up, you’re going to end up with drippings all over your countertop, fat and all! You need to keep a careful eye on how low the fat level is getting. It is liable to fall out of the hole if you’re not watching it. What to Look for in a Fat Separator Mixing can sometimes happen with spout separators because tilting the jug can agitate the juices and fats and recombine them.

OXO Fat Separator

The first kind of separator we will take a look at is a spout separator. Before you think about pouring any drippings into the jug, you need to make sure that the spout is plugged. Both types will likely have an integrated sieve on top which allows you to pour your cooled pan juices into the jug without having to separate out any solid pieces which is handy when you’re in the harried state of trying to get all the finishing touches for the meal ready.

A silicone plug keeps the drain sealed and leak-free. Owners of this model praise it for being comfortable and easy to use: simply wait for the fat to separate and then squeeze the trigger built into the handle of the cup to drain your cooking liquid away from the fat. The handle has a soft, non-slip coating to help you grip and prevent dropping if your hands happen to be a little greasy from carving a turkey or roast. Pour your hot roasting pan juices into the jug and the strainer shield lid will catch any bits of food; as you wait, the fat will separate and rise to the top then – and here’s the clever part – a squeeze of the trigger handle will dispense all the good stuff from the bottom of the jug into a pan below, leaving any fat behind. So you get to make yummy gravy with far less fat, fewer calories and all of the flavour. Winner winner, roast dinner! The design is similar to other spout-style fat separators but with a slim, graceful spout and loop handle that makes it look modern and elegant. It has measurements in both US and metric, making it easy to know how much gravy you have. A stainless steel strainer filters out the large bits, and there is a finer strainer included to remove fine bits and sediment, so there’s no need for a second strainer. You can now pour the lean juices into your bowl or pan ready for use! Be aware that some fat may begin to make its way up the spout towards the end of the pour. When this happens, stop pouring. Using a Bottom Opening SeparatorYou’ll also want to make sure that the handle is strong and comfortable. Look for a separator that has a rubberized handle for ultimate grip and comfort. Once the lid is removed, you can unstopper the spout. As you pull the plug out, you’ll notice that the juice travels partway up the spout. This is nothing to worry about. A fat separator allows you to retain the pan juices for use in the gravy while also separating the fat for separate use or to discard. How to use a gravy separator Firstly, the spout originates from the lower portion of the jug instead of the top. This is because the fat rises to the top of the jug as it’s lighter than the juices. For the most part, the length of time it takes for fat to separate will depend on what you’re separating it from. Since different sauces and gravies will have varying levels of viscosity, it can take a longer or shorter amount of time. A good measure of thumb is to wait at least ten minutes for things to settle. Since most fat separators are clear, you’ll be able to look at the contents and determine for yourself if things are nicely separated or not.