Product DescriptionMaking the gravy has never been easier. The Trudeau fat separator includes a custom fit strainer that helps remove unwanted sediment from your gravy drippings. The unbreakale heat resistant container is dishwasher and microwave safe
Amazon.com ReviewCreate rich and flavorful gravy without excessive fat or gristle, with this simple gravy separator from Trudeau. It holds up to 4 cups of liquid. To use, simply pour gravy direct from the frying pan into the separator through a fitted strainer. Undesired fat, gristle, and debris are filtered out for disposal, leaving smooth, delicious gravy in the pitcher for topping roasts and mashed potatoes.
The pitcher has a wide mouth and pouring spout for instant serving, and a roomy handle for easy maneuvering. Its sturdy construction resists heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the pitcher is microwave- safe and can be placed in the dishwasher along with the strainer. The complete gravy separator is covered by a five-year warranty. It measures 10-1/4 by 5-3/8 inches, stands 5 inches high, and weighs 1 pound upon shipping. --Jessica Reuling
Works great! (Rating: 5 out of 5) Large enough for sifting juices after cooking a large pot roast. Easy to clean; dishwasher safe.
Great! (Rating: 5 out of 5) This is a great design and easy to use. Making gravy was so easy for the first time. I didn't realize how good gravy is without all of that fat. Worth every penny. The only thing that surprised me was how big it was. I'm used to seeing those little gravy separators in the grocery store.
works good (Rating: 4 out of 5) Works as stated. Easy to handle. I like the strainer on top that catches the bits. Have used it once and even though I don't make gravy much I do I will be glad to have this gravy/fat separator.
Love The Large Size (Rating: 5 out of 5) Whoever invented the fat-free gravy separator was a genius, hands down. I love this one because of it's large 4-cup capacity with measurements on the side plus the wide perforated lid that allows you to easily strain out the larger bits of meat or skin from the drippings. This is a quality product and I just love it.
Got Gravy? This will get you there. (Rating: 4 out of 5) There is a point of culinary bliss when you can combine the drippings of a roast, whether chicken or beef, and that most blessed of vegetables, the spud. I'm talking of course, about gravy -- a simple concotion of pan drippings, a roux and maybe a bit of butter along with a dash of seasonings.
But all too often, what's left is a greasy, lumpy mess that doesn't taste right, and leaves you wishing that your mum was there to wave her hands over the pot and create magic. I kept trying and trying, and finally gave up to the inevitable -- the mysteries of gravy were going to remain beyond my reach.
Then I found out about this nifty little product after some intense research and a grim determination that I was going to learn how to make gravy, come hell or high water. And I wasn't going to settle for the bottled or canned messes available at the megamarts, oh no. I endured looks of angst from my SO, and could clearly hear his thoughts of oh no, not again! Much to my amazement, this product actually worked, relying on some very simple ideas.
The Fat Separator comes in two parts: the bottom portion is a large, rather teardrop shaped pitcher, with an oddly shaped lip to the upper portion and the spout coming up the side and starting from the very bottom of the pitcher. The pitcher can hold up to four cups or 1000 ml of liquid, and is calibrated as well. The lid portion fits tightly to the pitcher, and is perforated with small holes -- enough to let herbs, but not larger, portions through.
How to use this product: It's pretty easy, remove your roast from the pan, and pour the contents into the pitcher, using the lid to capture any large bits and pieces without them falling into the pitcher portion. Do not fill it too full -- you'll find that it won't really work once it gets over three cups. Wait a few minutes for the liquids to separate and you'll see the fat rise to the surface. Have a saucepan ready, and pour the de-fatted liquids into it. Repeat as necessary with the remaining drippings from the pan, set on a ready burner on the stove, and bring it to a boil.
Making the gravy: In the time that the separator was doing its thing, I'm assuming that you've been busy making a slurry for your gravy. What is a slurry, you ask -- it's one part flour or cornstarch to three or two parts COLD water, and whisked till very smooth. The reasoning for the cold water will become obvious once you pour it into the now-boiling liquids on the stove. This is where the magic happens, and your gravy will start to thicken up, and be sure to whisk madly as you pour in the slurry. This is what keeps the lumps from appearing, and the minimal amount of fat in the leftover drippings gets together with the flour or cornstarch and gets busy. Keep boiling for a few minutes, and then remove from the heat and give it a taste and adjust the seasonings to taste. Voila! You now have gravy, much to the joy of those eating your meal.
Why this product works: It's the lid, which keeps the fat portion from spilling over into the waiting saucepan, and the fact that the spout gets the liquid out of the bottom of the pitcher. The lid will also keep any small vegetables from getting into the pitcher and clogging up that spout. The oddly shaped top also helps to keep the various bits from spilling over as well, and helps to create a barrier to keep the fat from getting too quickly into the pitcher portion.
Cleaning it up: Here's where things fall down a bit. If you have a dishwasher, the manufacturor claims that it is safe. I don't know, I don't have one, so I had to wash by hand. Fortunately, the lid and pitcher separate easily. The lid cleaned up quickly, but it was the spout portion that gave the most trouble. Grease, unfortunately, tends to collect at the bottom, and I had to resort to using a very soapy, wet paper towel, and the handle end of a thin spoon to clean the wretched little nooks and crannys. I was also very careful to rinse this very carefully. And this was the only problem with this product.
It's not cheap either. I ordered mine through Amazon.com with a special deal with my roasting pan and rack. But the list price is just about 10$US, which is quite reasonable.
Summing up, this is an excellent product, and while it has a bit of a problem with cleaning issues, it's far far better than similar products that lack a lid. It's also large enough to handle most cooking, and I am quite happy with this. It solves a vexing problem that I've had with cooking, and it has more than met my expectations.
Happily recommended, with four stars.