24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
T
TheKid Online Content OP
Campfire Outfitter
OP Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
T
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
Wife and I left Jr with Grandma for the first time last weekend and went on a bear hunt.

Ended up both killing a nice bear, her a 6'2" boar with no fat at all and me a 5'10" sow that was rolling in clear white fat. We brought the backstraps and hams home to eat like always and having heard about rendering bear fat into lard or oil I brought two big slabs of clean fat off my bear home.

I've searched a little on the web and get the general idea but thought maybe some of you might have some know how you wouldn't mind sharing. Dry method, wet method, not worth the time?

BP-B2

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10,991
pal Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10,991
Only a note to say my dad used bear grease for many things, like chapping, sore joints, bruises, etc.


"There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon

"...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,682
I
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
I
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,682
It was forty some years ago. We put six or seven fall bears into the freezer over a couple years. I killed a young sow of about three hundred pounds. About 100 lbs of that was lard.

As I recall, my Mom simply placed chunks of bear fat into a large stock pot and heated gently on an electric range at medium setting.

The oil rendered out as a clear liquid which turned solid at room temp, much like Crisco. After rendering, it stores quite well in the freezer. (freezing slows the chemical decomposition of the oils which causes them to taste rancid)

I do remember, we had the best breads and pies of our lives that year. Nothing is like bear grease for a flaky pie crust!


People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,245
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,245
I've only killed two Black bears but have rendered the fat like Idaho Shooter described, except I used my large cast iron pot.

Low heat and watch it. The fat is great for baking, etc.

Some people use the bear fat on their boots but I don't. I am afraid my dog would eat my boots! grin

L.W.


"Always go straight forward, and if you meet the devil, cut him in two and go between the pieces." (William Sturgis, clipper ship captain, 1830s.)
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,621
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,621
Any friends with a lard press? That would increase yield.


Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
IC B2

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
T
TheKid Online Content OP
Campfire Outfitter
OP Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
T
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
Nobody I know with a lard press. I'll chop the chunks up and just melt them down in a big pot I guess. I'll let you know how it shakes out.

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033
Originally Posted by Idaho_Shooter
It was forty some years ago. We put six or seven fall bears into the freezer over a couple years. I killed a young sow of about three hundred pounds. About 100 lbs of that was lard.

As I recall, my Mom simply placed chunks of bear fat into a large stock pot and heated gently on an electric range at medium setting.

The oil rendered out as a clear liquid which turned solid at room temp, much like Crisco. After rendering, it stores quite well in the freezer. (freezing slows the chemical decomposition of the oils which causes them to taste rancid)

I do remember, we had the best breads and pies of our lives that year. Nothing is like bear grease for a flaky pie crust!
My grandma (Dad's mom) always said bear grease made the best lard for baking, and for conditioning leather, as well as a home remedy for any number of aches and pains. They used to use it for all the tack and harnesses on their big Belgiums.

Last edited by gophergunner; 06/25/16.

molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,060
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,060
Can't speak to bear grease but when rendering hog lard, put a little water in the pot when starting. Keeps the fat from being scorched at first, and will steam out while the rendering is taking place. Just a little. miles


Look out for number 1, don't step in number 2.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,660
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,660
Never rendered it for human consumption or use, but I've used a lot of it for trapping bait.

A friend got into the habit of just putting it into buckets and sealing them up until use. I think it's a waste and ineffective.

Letting it become rancid in a open container then mixing in sodium benzoate or other preservative to halt the rotting is a much better process and makes for more effective bait.


[Linked Image from i.pinimg.com]

Z
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,340
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,340
I've rendered bear lard off 3 of the last 4 we have killed. I use the following:

Propane stove.
Stainless 3 or 4 gallon pot
Cheesecloth
large funnel
quart canning jars, lids and rims
ladle and a wooden spoon
Beer

Put about a quart of water in bottom of the pot. Dice up the bear fat in about 1" cubes and fill pot up about halfway or a little less. Put stove on low heat and let it simmer. Stir it often while it starts to melt.

You'll get a feel for it, but once you get quite a bit of melted lard in the pot, start ladling it out. Put the funnel in the quart jar, double stack cheesecloth in the funnel and ladle it into the funnel. You should get a clear amber fluid in the jar. In a small pot have the lids simmering. Immediately put a lid on the quart jar and screw the rim on.

The next day it should set up and look snow white. The biggest issue I have had is getting the temp too high and scorching the lard. That makes it unuseable for cooking.

Done right, these jars last for years and provide great ingredients for baking as well as leather treatment. Hoping to render more this September. Good luck.


IC B3

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,110
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,110
We rendered a couple of gallons off the last ones we killed in ID. We did it more as a lark, but it turned out really well. Our guide said his mother put a little vanilla in hers and that's what she used for baking. My dad plans on using it for black powder patch lube since no one else in OK will have any. Conversation starter I guess....

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,221
Campfire Tracker
Online Content
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,221
As long as you keep the temp LOW it shouldn't be any different than rendering beef, hog, sheep, deer or nearly any other animal fat. Keep an eye on it and stir often.


Someday I hope to be the person my dogs think I am . . .
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
Someone once said "a nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves."
Shiloh Sharps . . . there is no substitute.
NRA Endowment Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
T
TheKid Online Content OP
Campfire Outfitter
OP Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
T
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
Originally Posted by Oklahomahunter
We rendered a couple of gallons off the last ones we killed in ID. We did it more as a lark, but it turned out really well. Our guide said his mother put a little vanilla in hers and that's what she used for baking. My dad plans on using it for black powder patch lube since no one else in OK will have any. Conversation starter I guess....


Your dad just thinks he'll be the only one. I'll be there by muzzle loader season and might just bring my bear grease with me;)

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,474
L
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
L
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,474
Renedered some years ago.

Go slow, OUTSIDE!!!
Best leather treatment known to man.


Some spelling errors can be corrected by a vowel movement.
~ MOLON LABE ~
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,110
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,110
Originally Posted by TheKid
Originally Posted by Oklahomahunter
We rendered a couple of gallons off the last ones we killed in ID. We did it more as a lark, but it turned out really well. Our guide said his mother put a little vanilla in hers and that's what she used for baking. My dad plans on using it for black powder patch lube since no one else in OK will have any. Conversation starter I guess....


Your dad just thinks he'll be the only one. I'll be there by muzzle loader season and might just bring my bear grease with me;)


Haha, I guess I should say the only one he knows of. I've been looking for some empty Chapstick tubes to pour some up in for "gifts".

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,017
D
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
D
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,017
I did the same way only I added beeswax to some and used it on my leather for about a year.

The straight stuff makes for excellent pastry


NRA Benefactor Member

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,725
Campfire 'Bwana
Online Content
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,725
I remember someone (I think probably Mr. Darling) telling Sheriff Andy Taylor that he sure could render.


Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.

Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)

Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,682
I
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
I
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,682
Originally Posted by Oklahomahunter
We rendered a couple of gallons off the last ones we killed in ID. We did it more as a lark, but it turned out really well. Our guide said his mother put a little vanilla in hers and that's what she used for baking. My dad plans on using it for black powder patch lube since no one else in OK will have any. Conversation starter I guess....


And to terrorist muzzies, a bear greased bullet would be just as terrifying as bacon grease.

One is just as unclean as the other.


People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
T
TheKid Online Content OP
Campfire Outfitter
OP Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
T
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,100
Well I'm done rendering down my lard. The house smells like Granny's house did on bean day when she was frying taters in a dollop of lard and I have a couple jars of the most beautiful wonderful smelling lard I've ever seen. I dipped a finger in it when I was putting it in the jars and it is almost completely tasteless as far as I can tell, sure smells good though. Haven't worked up the courage to eat any of the cracklins yet but they look awfully good, maybe I'll dust them with cajun seasoning and try them out.

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,340
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,340
On the beeswax mix, I think in ended up 4 parts lard to 1 part beeswax before I got it a point that you could actually spread it. The beeswax really hardened up the mix in ratios lower than that.

Congrats on a successful rendering. It will keep a very long time.


Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
739 members (12344mag, 10Glocks, 10gaugemag, 16penny, 007FJ, 1234, 74 invisible), 2,967 guests, and 1,287 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,764
Posts18,401,436
Members73,822
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.109s Queries: 15 (0.005s) Memory: 0.8887 MB (Peak: 1.0249 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-29 15:09:46 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS