Trudeau Gravy/Fat Separator

I know some people love this contraption but for me it lets too much of the fat through, especially if you only have small quantities of liquid to de-fat. I have been using a gallon freezer bag method for years, and even though it's more cumbersome, the bag method gets more fat off. This is how it works:It's wise to let the liquid cool off a bit first. I do all this inside the sink so it doesn't make a mess: I set an empty bag into a container or bowl (the bowl holds the bag steady) and then I pour the liquid to be defatted into the bag. I close the (ziplock freezer) bag and bounce the bag a little to get the fat to rise to the top. Let it rest there a couple of minutes the fat will all rise to the top.Then I lift the bag out of the bowl, leaving the bowl in the sink. I hold my bag (with the liquid) in one hand with one corner pointing down towards the sink away from the bowl, and then I cut the small tip of the corner of the bag. (SMALL- don't cut too much off) IMMEDIATELY, after the plastic tip falls in the sink, reposition the bag over the bowl so that all the good stuff goes into the bowl. As soon as I can see the top layer of fat about to come through, I move the bag so that the fat goes into the sink.This method removes just about every bit of the fat. Works like a charm.Update June 30 2014:I've had a lot of comments about letting fat go down the drain :) If that's a concern it's super easy to put an additional little butter tub or something you can throw away into the sink along side the operation, and when the fat gets near the cut tip of the bag, swing the bag over and let the fat go into something you plan to toss in the trash. Paper towels would work as well to soak up the fat. I usually don't have all that much fat.**Added tip: If you do have some grease, you can catch it in a jar and put some Dawn Platinum Advanced dish liquid in there with a little very hot water, swish it around and let it sit a minute,... and it will completely dissolve the oil so that it isn't a threat to your drain. Works like a charm!

I've always thought fat separators were a great idea and have owned several. When I make a roast, chicken, or turkey, I like to strain the drippings to make gravy. Then I can pour the fat in a can, let it harden, and toss it in the trash. Fat poured down your drain that coats the inside of your pipes is a major plumbing nightmare, so using a fat separator makes its disposal so much easier.My only complaint about fat separators has been their size. They are usually too small and round. This means several attempts at pouring the drippings from a large pan into a small container. I usually end up with more on the countertop than in the cup. It also means you have to separate a little at a time.This fat separator is nice and wide, elongated, and quite large; about 5 1/4 inches at it's widest spot and over 8 inches long not including the handle. The base is also large, so it is stable and doesn't get knocked over easy when you are pouring drippings in it.The strainer on the top has small enough holes to catch pieces of meat and skin, but they are large enough not to get clogged up quickly. The cup holds a full 4 cups. It's a great design.

I usually only write reviews when I really like a product or there is a problem. This product definitely falls into the "I Like" category. The strainer lid is very helpful. It strains out the big stuff without getting clogged like a fine mesh would. It handles a sizable amount of liquid and washes like a dream. While the separator is wider at the top than at the bottom it is quite stable. With care it should last for a very long time. I highly recommend for someone who makes a lot of gravy or collects pan juices but does not want all the fat. This is a quality, plastic product -- not a flimsy piece that will quickly deteriorate. Even so, to protect it I would not put it in the microwave and use it for heating liquids. I first learned about his product through America's Test Kitchen. They rated it #1.

This is the best gravy separator we've ever used. It works wonderfully to separate the juice from fat in meat drippings without a hassle. This is a replacement for my first one. I just retired it after 11 years (crack in the bottom). We have tried others, but both my husband and I agree this one is the best. We have not had good luck with those that have the small tube spouts. The strainer on the top is just the right size to let some of the tasty solids through but block larger pieces, including those that will clog. All in all, it's a great item and worth two or three times the price based on how well it performs and the use we've gotten from it. Highly recommended. Note: Our prior one cracked at the bottom. Not sure if it was age or due to excessive heat. Don't put hot fat in it. Dishwasher safe on the top rack. Boiling water safe.

For years, I never knew these things existed. I like to make homemade chicken stock in the crockpot, and I used to cover and chill the stock for hours to get the fat to solidify and remove it. With a fat separator, I can skip that step. Great for making gravy as well. I like this one because it is durable and easy to clean. A nice feature is the strainer top which filters out debris and bones when pouring broth into the separator. I had a cheaper one once, and although it worked fine, it quickly cracked (and didn't have a strainer lid). This Trudeau is holding up well. Note: It's a larger separator so don't expect to use this with a small amount of liquid. When using a fat separator make sure you let the liquid set for a few mins for the fat to rise to the top. A few minutes with a fat separator vs. hours using the chilling method - well it's just a no-brainer!

Works well, just need a small amount of patient as the fat doesn’t separate immediately.

Simple...only 2 pieces. Lightweight & dish washable. This is the 2nd one I have bought.Only problem is that it will crack if the liquid is too hot. I have to cool the soup a bit before pouring it in.

No real issues with this unit. Easy to clean as it goes in the dishwasher, it's a good size, so can separate a decent amount of liquid/fat at once, and has held up over time.

To my surprise, this does a really good job of pouring off the soup or gravy and leaving the fat in the bowl. I don't think anything can do a perfect job, but this gets rid of maybe 90% (a guess) of the fat floating on top of the gravy, and that makes a big difference. Not perfect, but I gave five stars because I doubt anything can do better.

If you are like me and can't eat the same way as you did when you were younger, this product is very useful. I just drop some of the meat juices into the Trudeau and boil some water with bouillon at the same time. Wait a bit. Then pour the contents of the Trudeau into the bouillon mixture.Bang, there's your gravy. And your cardiologist won't scold you for enjoying a bit of flavor!

This works as well as any such design. It is expensive for pieces of plastic, although it would have to be food grade and heat resistant. Quality is good. There is nothing special about this one. It is just a larger size and has a nice strainer.

It's a bit large. However, I suppose you need something this large if you are want a good amount of gravy. Solids were filtered out at the top and the fat was separated leaving nice gravy when it poured. Thank you America's Test Kitchen!!