Fryer Bacon Grease: Safe Or Not?

Bacon grease is a popular byproduct of cooking bacon that many home cooks choose to save and reuse. It is a versatile tool in the kitchen, adding a smoky flavour to dishes such as eggs, chicken, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. It can also be used to supplement meat dishes with leaner cuts of meat, adding extra richness. While bacon grease is a great option for pan-frying and sautéing, the question remains: can you use it in a deep fryer?

How to store bacon grease

Bacon grease is a precious ingredient that can be used to add a savory, smoky depth to recipes like skillet cornbread, succotash, buttermilk biscuits, pastas, and cooked vegetables. Here is how to store it:

Collecting Bacon Grease

You can save the grease whether you cook your bacon on the stovetop or in the oven. Pan-frying may not be the best option as even a few burned solids will affect the flavor of the grease. Baking bacon in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes on a backing rack over a sheet pan gives a consistent color to the bacon and leaves the grease nice and clean.

Let the grease cool slightly before you start working with it to avoid burns. If the grease cools to lower than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will become a solid. You can reheat it gently until it returns to its liquid state.

Storing Bacon Grease

To safely store bacon grease, you must first get rid of any small bacon bits left behind. This can be done by straining the grease through a fine-mesh strainer, a coffee filter, or cheesecloth. Removing the bacon bits will also help prevent the grease from going rancid. Transfer the strained grease to a heat-safe food storage container, preferably glass or metal, to prevent the grease from picking up flavors and odors from plastic.

While previous generations kept bacon grease at room temperature, experts now recommend storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. Bacon grease can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or in the freezer indefinitely. The refrigerator is best because the fat will stay soft enough to scoop. If you plan to freeze your bacon grease, portion small amounts by letting the grease cool slightly, straining it, and pouring it into freezer-safe containers like ice cube trays.

To keep your bacon grease as fresh as possible, use a new container for each collection. Adding new grease on top of solid grease can cause the bottom grease to go rancid and affect the flavor of the entire batch.

Pros of using bacon grease

While some sources suggest that bacon grease is not suitable for deep frying due to its low smoke point, others have successfully deep-fried foods in bacon grease. Here are some pros of using bacon grease for deep frying:

Enhanced Flavor:

Bacon grease can add a unique, savory flavor to deep-fried foods. It is especially good for dishes that benefit from a bacon taste without being wrapped in bacon. By adding melted bacon grease to a squeeze bottle, you can easily drizzle it over your deep-fried foods. This technique, known as a "poke" in the American South, involves tossing the drizzled food in a bag to evenly distribute the bacon fat.

Browning and Texture:

Adding a small amount of bacon grease to your deep-frying oil can help achieve a desirable brown color and a "fried" taste. As oil breaks down with heat, the "broken-down" grease helps achieve a darker, crispier texture and prevents the food from looking pale like tempura.

Cost-Effectiveness:

Using bacon grease for deep frying can be cost-effective, especially if you already have a stash saved up from cooking bacon. Collecting and storing bacon grease is a common practice, and it can be frozen for later use.

Versatility:

Bacon grease can be used for more than just breakfast foods. While it is commonly used for pan-frying, sautéing, and baking savory dishes, it can also be used for deep frying a variety of foods, including turkey, goose, fries, and hot dogs.

While there are some potential benefits to using bacon grease for deep frying, it is important to use it sparingly due to its high fat content and potential health concerns. Additionally, it should be used with caution due to its low smoke point, which may cause it to smoke at high temperatures.

Cons of using bacon grease

While using bacon grease in a deep fryer is possible, there are several drawbacks to this method.

Firstly, bacon grease has a low smoke point, meaning it will start to smoke at a lower temperature compared to other oils typically used for deep frying, such as lard or peanut oil. This can not only be a fire hazard but also result in an unpleasant, smoky flavour in your food.

Secondly, even after filtering, bacon grease may contain small bits of bacon that will negatively affect the oil's flavour when heated to high temperatures. These impurities can also create free radicals, causing the oil to turn rancid, even with proper straining. This will not only affect the taste of your food but also reduce the usable lifespan of your oil, requiring more frequent changes of oil in your deep fryer.

Additionally, while bacon grease can add flavour to your food, using it in large quantities, as required for deep frying, can be unhealthy. The high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol in bacon grease can contribute to cardiovascular issues if consumed in excess.

Finally, the process of collecting and preparing bacon grease for deep frying can be time-consuming and tedious. It requires cooking and storing a large quantity of bacon, ensuring proper storage and thawing, and carefully monitoring temperature to avoid smoking or burning.

In conclusion, while bacon grease can be used for deep frying, it is not recommended due to the potential negative impacts on flavour, oil lifespan, and health considerations.

How to use bacon grease in cooking

Bacon grease is a versatile tool in the kitchen. While it is not recommended for deep frying, there are still plenty of ways to use it in cooking.

Firstly, it is important to know how to store bacon grease. It should be filtered to remove any burnt bits, which can be done by straining the grease through a sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter. It can then be stored in a clean, dry container such as a glass jar. Bacon grease will solidify in the fridge, making it easier to manage, and it can also be stored in an ice cube tray in the freezer for later use.

Bacon grease can be used to add flavour to a variety of dishes. It can be used to fry eggs, brown proteins such as chicken, and cook vegetables such as greens and sweet potatoes. It can also be used in cornbread and quick breads, or to grease a cast-iron skillet for baking focaccia-like breads.

For meat dishes made with leaner cuts, bacon grease can be used to add extra richness. It can be used to brown meat and aromatic vegetables, and then added to stews or braises. Bacon grease can also be mixed with a neutral-flavoured oil for pan-frying and deep-frying, adding flavour and colour to fried items like breaded cutlets or fried chicken.

It is important to note that bacon grease has a low smoke point, so it is not suitable for deep frying on its own. However, it can be added in small amounts to other frying oils to enhance the flavour.

How to dispose of bacon grease

Bacon grease is a valuable ingredient that can be used for frying, roasting, and adding flavour to your dishes. However, disposing of it can be tricky, and you should never pour it down the drain as it will solidify and clog your pipes. Here are some ways to safely dispose of bacon grease:

Use a Container

If you have a small amount of grease in your pan, let it cool and solidify. Then, use a paper towel or rubber spatula to scoop it out and throw it into the trash bin. You can also pour the grease into a disposable container, such as a take-out container, a glass jar, or a can, and dispose of it in the trash once it hardens.

Line the Drain with Foil

Line a cup or the sink drain with heavy-duty foil. Carefully pour the hot grease into it and let it harden. Once solid, wrap the foil around the grease and throw it away.

Soak it Up

If you have a small amount of grease, you can soak it up with paper towels and then dispose of them in the trash.

Freeze it

If you're in a hurry, you can put the pan of grease in the freezer to harden it faster. Then, simply scrape the grease into the trash.

Composting

Beware of putting bacon grease in your compost bin. It can attract unwanted animals, and the bacteria in the compost may not be hot enough to break down the fat.

Use a Specialty Product

If you don't want to wait for the grease to cool, you can use specialty products like Hard Oil or FryAway. These are plant-based powders that solidify the grease when it's still hot.

Frequently asked questions