A fat separator is a pouring cup that lets fat float to the top so you can pour out the liquid beneath it. Some use a low spout, others a bottom release or a stopper. Cooks use them for gravy, pan drippings, stock and soup.
The six cups below cover plastic, glass and mixed builds from 2 to 4 cups. Capacities and materials come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these separators ourselves. Heat and material claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Two cups suit a small roast; four cups suit a holiday batch |
| Spout type | A low spout, a stopper or a bottom release each keeps fat apart |
| Strainer | Catches herbs and bits before the liquid goes in |
| Material | Glass shows the layers; plastic is lighter |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher or hand wash |
Specs at a Glance
| Separator | Capacity and material | Fat control | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO 2 cup | 2 cups; plastic | Stopper | Built-in strainer; raised shield; dishwasher safe |
| OXO 4 cup | 4 cups; plastic | Stopper | Fine strainer; stopper storage; measurement marks |
| HIC glass | 4 cups (32 oz); borosilicate glass | Low-set spout | Two strainers; stovetop and microwave use; hand wash |
| Cuisipro | 4 cups; Tritan plastic | Bottom release | Oversized filter basket; dishwasher safe |
| Kuchenprofi | 4 cups; glass and steel | Low spout | Steel strainer; dishwasher safe |
| Bellemain | 4 cups (1 liter); plastic | Silicone stopper | High top; strainer; heat resistant to 400 F |
The 6 Best Fat Separators
1. OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Fat Separator
A 2 cup plastic separator with a stopper that holds fat back, a built-in strainer, a raised shield against splashing and measurement marks. The stopper stores in the strainer.
Suits: small roasts and weeknight gravy. Strengths: a stopper and a strainer. Weaknesses: only 2 cups. Skip it if you cook holiday batches.
View OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Fat Separator on Amazon
2. OXO Good Grips Fat Separator, 4-cup Capacity
The 4 cup version of the same design, with a fine strainer, a stopper, a raised shield, a non-slip handle and measurement marks. It measures 7.99 by 3 by 5.3 inches.
Suits: larger roasts. Strengths: 4 cups and a fine strainer. Weaknesses: plastic only. Skip it if you want a see-through glass cup.
View OXO Good Grips Fat Separator for Gravy and Sauces, 4-cup Capacity on Amazon
3. HIC Kitchen Roasting Fat Separator Gravy Strainer
A borosilicate glass pitcher that holds 4 cups (32 ounces), with quarter-cup marks, a low-set spout and two strainers, one for lumps and herbs and a removable fine mesh. The maker says it is stovetop and microwave usable up to 300 F, and to hand wash it.
Suits: reheating and straining in one cup. Strengths: glass, two strainers. Weaknesses: hand wash only. Skip it if you want a dishwasher model.
4. Cuisipro Fat Separator With Bottom Release
A clear Tritan plastic cup that holds 4 cups, with an oversized filter basket, a handle and a bottom release for draining. It comes apart into three pieces for cleaning, measures 9 by 5.99 by 5.75 inches and weighs 12 ounces.
Suits: pouring from the top or draining from the bottom. Strengths: a large filter basket. Weaknesses: three parts to handle. Skip it if you prefer a simple spout.
5. Küchenprofi Glass and Stainless Steel Gravy Separator
A heat-proof borosilicate glass pitcher with a stainless steel sieve that sits over the mouth and catches burned bits. It holds 4 cups with cup and ounce marks, and the low spout keeps juices apart from fat.
Suits: a classic glass jug. Strengths: glass and a steel sieve. Weaknesses: the listing gives few details. Skip it if you want a bottom release.
View Küchenprofi Glass/Stainless Steel Gravy Separator on Amazon
6. Bellemain 4-Cup Fat Separator and Measuring Cup
A 1 liter plastic separator with a high top that keeps congealed fat from sloshing over the rim, a silicone stopper, a strainer and a slip-resistant handle. The maker gives a heat limit of 400 F.
Suits: big batches. Strengths: a high top and a stopper. Weaknesses: plastic only. Skip it if you want a glass cup.
Care and Setup
- Let drippings settle for a few minutes so the fat rises.
- Pour slowly and stop when the fat nears the spout.
- Rinse right after use so grease does not set.
- Wash glass by hand where the maker says so.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Pouring right away before the fat has risen.
- Filling past the top mark.
- Putting hand-wash-only glass in the dishwasher.
- Choosing 2 cups for a large roast.
Fat Separator FAQ
How does a fat separator work?
Fat floats on top, so a low spout, stopper or bottom release lets the liquid below leave first.
Can it hold hot liquid?
Check the maker’s limit: Bellemain lists 400 F and HIC lists 300 F.
The Short Version
For small roasts, the OXO 2 cup. For larger ones, the OXO 4 cup. For glass with two strainers, the HIC. For a bottom release, the Cuisipro. For a classic jug, the Küchenprofi. For a high top, the Bellemain.
