Here's a little how-to on how to make your very own tallow! You can then use this tallow to make all sorts of skincare including moisturiser, lip balm, deodorant, facial oil - get experimental and have fun with it.
The process for making tallow isn't too difficult but it is a timely process that requires patience. And the more you do it the more you hone your very own technique to create the tallow you desire. The best thing is, what you need usually what you have in your kitchen already!
We like to use grass-fed & finished suet free from hormones and pesticides. Choosing good quality beef fat will determine the quality of your final tallow. You can find beef fat usually from your local butcher - if you ask them to grind it up for you it will make your job a lot easier.
What you'll need:
- Slow cooker (or you can use a hob on low)
- Sieve
- Cheesecloth
- Large bowl
- Ladle
- Filtered water
- Salt
Alright enough talking.. Let's get to business.
1. Fill the slow cooker with beef fat, breaking the fat into chunks - the smaller the better
2. Cover with water and a couple tablespoons of salt. I've found the ratio is not too important here.
3. Set the slow cooker on low. Now I like to leave it on for a few hours until the fat and water is simmering. Be sure to give it a stir as it starts to melt so that the salt at the top gets mixed in.
4. You will know it is done when you are left with crispy brown bits floating at the top.
5. Set up your large bowl with sieve and cheesecloth on top. Use your ladle to transfer the melted fat from the slow cooker to the large bowl. The Cheesecloth will catch all the chunky bits and the impurities pulled out from the salt.
6. Pop this in a fridge to set and after a few hours you will find the fat has solidified at the top and the water at the bottom will be murky brown. Scrape off the impurities at the bottom of the beef "cake".
7. Repeat the process for a cleaner tallow until your desired results - the water will become more clear and less pungent.
8. Now you are ready to make your own tallow balm, whip, moisturiser or you could literally just eat it!