Rendering Bear Fat

[IronNoggin]

Twenty-one pints of extremely high quality lard from this fall's boar.
Just enough to see us through the winter methinks!
Happy Happy!

Next up - a mountain of smokies & pepps!!

Cheers,
Nog

[Chuck]

Reputedly makes the finest quality of home made soap as well, that's if anyone is into doing such a thing.

[nature girl]

Thanks Matt for showing how you do that.

[ratherbefishin]

The old timers used to harvest a bear just for the fat ...makes great sausage too .Secret is to render it in a cast iron pot and keep the temperature down,bear fat burns easily.We use the lard for baking both bread and pastries

[tomahawk]

Nog, thanks for the detailed rendering process. Looks great and even tastes better!!

[Yuritau]

crock pot works well for smaller batches. Turn it on and forget about it for a few hours, turns out perfect.

I did mine in a crockpot too. Couldn't do the whole thing in one batch (actually had to do 4), but I also didn't need to add water, and there was no possibility of burning it. Got a full 4 liters off my early in the season female. This stuff is amazing to cook with.

[the_longwalker]

Okay, I have to try this now, that looks really good and my wife is a baker.

[elch jager]

Spoke to a native woman last week and she said that they work it into their hair and leave it for a few days... Nourishes the follicles and promotes new hair growth... she asked me if I had ever seen a bald Indian - I had to admit that I had not...

[Wild one]

Spoke to a native woman last week and she said that they work it into their hair and leave it for a few days... Nourishes the follicles and promotes new hair growth... she asked me if I had ever seen a bald Indian - I had to admit that I had not...

And some Indians will eat bread dipped in bear fat. I think I will pass on both but I am not going bald either

It is good for baking though

[oddsix]

Giving this a try today for the first time.

What is the purpose of adding water? I have read of folks rendering without adding water. Curious as to the benefits of one or the other?

Thanks