Best Fat Separator

We'd point most home cooks here first. The squeeze handle opens a silicone shut-off valve at the base, so broth drains out from under the fat layer, and the removable strainer on top catches bits before they reach the cup. Markings run in cups, ounces and milliliters, and the external drain keeps rinsing simple.

Owners report that it separates fat from broth, juices and drippings well, that the handle is intuitive, and that it is easier than older pour-spout styles. Top-rack dishwasher cleaning works for many. A common complaint is durability: some owners find the thin plastic flimsy and describe breakage within the first month, while others report it lasting a long time. Drainage draws the same split, with some finding the bottom outlet flows freely and others finding nothing passes through. The valve area is also fiddly to flush clean, and the strainer simply rests on the cup, so pouring straight from it takes care.

The 4-cup size is also easier to hold steady while pressing the release than a bigger vessel would be, which suits a pan of hot drippings.

This is the one for cooks who prefer a classic pouring spout. You seat the stopper, pour in the drippings through the fine strainer, let the fat rise, then pull the stopper and pour; the flavorful liquid comes out first and the fat stays behind. A raised shield limits splashing, measurement markings double as a measuring cup, and the stopper parks in the strainer between uses.

Owners report that it removes fat quickly from broth, pan juices and soup bases, that it is roomy enough for roasts and turkeys, and that cleanup is easy, with the whole set going in the dishwasher. They also point out there are no moving parts to fail. One practical note from owners: leave the stopper in until you are ready to pour, or the spout fills with grease.

Next to the OXO Good Grips Good Gravy 4-Cup Fat Separator, this one trades a squeeze release for simplicity, which we think suits an occasional holiday cook well. The weight listed here is 0.6 pounds.

The bottom-release design here mirrors the OXO Good Grips Good Gravy 4-Cup Fat Separator: pour through the filter lid, wait for the fat to rise, press the red button on the handle and let the clear liquid drip out. It handles hot or cold liquids and can also strain pulp from fruit juice. Parts are listed as heat-resistant, BPA-free and top-shelf dishwasher safe, the capacity is 4 cups (1 liter), and a 3-year warranty is offered. The gift box and bundled peeler make it an easy present.

Owners report that it is very easy to use for gravy, braises, stock and soup, comes apart for washing, and even works as a chill-in-the-fridge method where the fat hardens and the broth is dispensed below. The other side of the feedback is serious: owners report cracks in the container after a single use, a handle coming apart, the red stopper breaking off the lid, and liquid leaking from the bottom. The included peeler also draws criticism for flipping over while in use. The warranty helps, but we'd weigh these reports before choosing it for a big holiday pot.

Like the Vondior 4 Cup Fat Separator, it drains from the bottom through a spoutless container, but the care routine differs. The strainer lid and transparent container are dishwasher safe, while the handle and silicone plug are meant to be washed by hand. Clear measurement markings help you track what you pour in, and the capacity is listed at 33.8 ounces, which is the 4 cups the lineup shares.

Owners report that it feels big in the hand and holds far more than older two-cup pitchers, that the sieve top keeps solids out, and that draining from the lever is less fussy than pitcher-style pouring. A common complaint is that the plug on some arrivals was out of line with the drain hole and would not stop the flow until it was seated properly. Others wonder how the silicone stopper and plastic will age over the years, which only time will answer. We think it suits cooks who roast a turkey or make large pots of stock and want the extra headroom.

Only this pick puts a number on heat tolerance: the clear cup is rated to 248°F (120°C), so pan drippings, broth or gravy can go in without a cooling wait. The Vondior 4 Cup Fat Separator, by contrast, is simply called heat-resistant. Pressing the handle dispenses liquid from below while the fat layer stays on top, and a built-in lid strainer catches herbs and meat pieces as you pour.

We like that the transparent cup lets you watch the layers and stop the flow before fat reaches the valve, which is the whole point of a bottom-release design. Capacity is 4 cups (1000 mL), with cup and milliliter marks for measuring, and the lid and washable parts come apart for top-rack dishwasher cleaning. It suits cooks who often pour in liquid fresh from the pan, and who care about knowing the stated temperature limit before they do.

The bundled extras here are two loofah dish sponges rather than a peeler like the one with the Vondior 4 Cup Fat Separator. The separator itself pairs a bottom release, which draws liquid from below while fat collects at the top, with a large spout and an ergonomic handle meant to give controlled pouring and fewer spills. The capacity is listed as 33 ounces (4 cups), and a built-in strainer filters particles from drippings, stocks and sauces.

It is made from BPA-free plastic designed for hot liquids, and the material is described as resisting stains and odors, which matters for a tool that sits in contact with grease. The feature set points to everyday use for broth, bacon grease, turkey gravy and holiday cooking. We'd choose it for cooks who like having both pouring routes available and a pair of sponges for the cleanup.

Leakage and cracking complaints put this pick in the same camp as the Vondior 4 Cup Fat Separator, so it needs the same caution. The design is straightforward: a lever on the handle opens the bottom, a 32-ounce (4-cup) cup holds the liquid, and dishwasher-safe parts with heat-resistant measuring marks keep cleanup simple. A peeler comes packaged with it.

Owners report that it separates fat from broth and juices well, is easy to use for stock, and comes apart for a thorough wash. Seeing the fat line through the side makes it easy to tell when to stop draining. The complaints are material: owners describe cracks after little use and melting on a first use, and the bottom stopper not seating properly, with leaking from the bottom the result. Others report no leaks at all, so the stopper fit appears to vary. We'd test it with water before the first gravy day, and keep the return window in mind if a hairline crack shows up.