Good gravy starts with a pan of drippings that is fat on top and pure flavor underneath. Skim it with a spoon and you lose stock with every pass, or you leave a slick of grease behind. A fat separator solves this with simple physics: fat floats, so the tool lets you pour from below the fat line.
Cooks with time can chill a stock overnight and lift off the fat in a solid cap, but you cannot do that with a turkey resting on the counter. This guide explains the three designs, then names eight separators from OXO, Tovolo, HIC, Norpro and others for holiday gravy, weeknight sauces, and broths like pozole or caldo de pollo.
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Quick verdict: which fat separator to buy
For most kitchens, the best fat separator is the OXO Good Grips Good Gravy 4-Cup: it won the America’s Test Kitchen review, Reviewed ranks it first, and its bottom release lets you stop the moment the fat arrives. If you would rather pour than squeeze, choose the OXO Good Grips 4-Cup spout pitcher. If you prefer glass, look at the Tovolo 4-Cup, or the HIC Kitchen 32-Ounce if you want to reheat in the same vessel.
Two reviews agree at the top of this list, and the rest of this page explains which of the others suits your cooking.
Five fat separators side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the details each maker or listing states. All eight separators are reviewed in full below.
| Separator | Best for | Style | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips Good Gravy 4-Cup Fat SeparatorBest overall
|
Holiday gravy and regular stock days | Bottom release, squeeze handle | 4 cups | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Fat SeparatorBest spout pitcher
|
Cooks who want a simple pour | Low spout with stopper | 4 cups | View on Amazon |
| Cooks who prefer glass | Interior bottom-draw tube | 4 cups | View on Amazon | |
HIC Kitchen 32-Ounce Glass Fat SeparatorBest for reheating
|
Making gravy in one vessel | Low-set spout | 32 oz (4 cups) | View on Amazon |
GoodCook Everyday 2-Cup Fat SeparatorBest 2-cup
|
Weeknight pan sauces | Low spout with stopper | 2 cups | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and features are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best fat separator
The first two have independent reviews behind them and suit the most kitchens. The next four cover glass, plain and button-release designs, and the last two are small sizes for small roasts. All are designed to separate fat from stock, and we left out skimming ladles and fat-absorbing mops, which are different tools.
1. OXO Good Grips Good Gravy 4-Cup Fat Separator – The Reviewers’ Clear First Choice
This is the separator the independent reviews agree on. America’s Test Kitchen named it the winner of its June 2025 review, and Reviewed lists it as best overall. It drains from the bottom, so the stock leaves first and the fat stays floating above the valve. You squeeze the handle to let liquid out and release it to stop, which means you can quit right as the fat line reaches the valve.
America’s Test Kitchen praised the large perforated strainer and the red measurement lines, and it reported that the valve did not leak after 150 openings and closings and 10 top-rack dishwasher washes. Reviewed liked the control the trigger gives and the silicone-lined outlet, which cuts down on splashing.
The one drawback America’s Test Kitchen found is grip strength: the valve takes a strong squeeze to open. The listing marks cups, ounces and milliliters, and says the unit is dishwasher safe. If you make gravy twice a year or stock twice a month, this is the one to buy first.
Why we like it
- Winner of the America’s Test Kitchen review
- Best overall at Reviewed
- Valve held up to 150 cycles without a leak, per America’s Test Kitchen
- Easy-to-read red measurement lines
- Bottom release gives good stop-and-start control
Key specifications
| Model | 11198900 |
|---|---|
| Style | Bottom release |
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Body | Not stated |
| Strainer | Built-in, large and perforated |
| Heat guidance | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you want the safest choice and do not mind a firm squeeze. It suits a Thanksgiving turkey and a pot of chicken stock equally well.
Skip it if you have weak hands or arthritis. The valve needs a strong squeeze, and the spout pitcher below needs no grip at all.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong independent backing in both reviews we read
- Stops and starts on demand
- Clear measurement lines
Cons
- Valve takes a strong squeeze
- More parts to clean than a pitcher
- Listing does not state a heat limit
2. OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Fat Separator – Spout Pitcher With a Stopper
If you would rather pour than squeeze, this is the same maker’s traditional design. The spout joins the pitcher near the bottom, so the stock comes out first. A stopper plugs the spout while you fill, which keeps fat from settling inside it, and you pull the stopper out once the fat has risen.
America’s Test Kitchen recommended it for its comfortable handle and easy-to-read lines, and Reviewed named it the top spout-style pick. Both reviews had the same complaint about the strainer. America’s Test Kitchen said the holes were too big, so some peppercorns got through, and Reviewed said the strainer could be finer.
That is easy to fix: pour through a fine-mesh strainer first if your drippings are full of herbs or spices. The listing adds a raised shield that limits splashing and a spot inside the strainer to store the stopper, so it does not go missing between holidays.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Top spout pick at Reviewed
- Comfortable non-slip handle
- Raised shield limits splashing
- Stopper stores inside the strainer
Key specifications
| Model | 11273200 |
|---|---|
| Style | Low spout with stopper |
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Body | Not stated |
| Strainer | Built-in, with stopper storage |
| Heat guidance | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you want a full 4-cup separator with no moving valve and a comfortable handle.
Skip it if you need a very clean strain. Two reviews say the holes could be finer, so small spices may pass through.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No squeeze needed
- Backed by two independent reviews
- Easy-to-read measurement lines
Cons
- Strainer lets small spices through
- You must stop pouring by eye
- Listing does not state a heat limit
3. Tovolo 4-Cup Glass Gravy Strainer with Fat Separator – Glass Cup With a Bottom-Draw Tube
Tovolo takes a different route to the same result. Instead of an outside spout, the separator has a tube inside the glass cup that draws liquid from the bottom. Pour, and the stock travels up the tube while the grease stays at the surface. Glass lets you watch the layers settle, which helps if you have never done this before.
A silicone lid works as the strainer and catches giblets, herbs and bone fragments. Remove that lid and the listing says you have a plain 4-cup measuring cup, so it is useful on ordinary days too. The glass basin and silicone parts come apart completely, and the listing says both are dishwasher safe.
This one rests on the listing and the maker’s details, since neither review we read covered it. The listing does not state a temperature limit for the glass, so follow the instructions in the box before pouring from a hot roasting pan. We would pour gently, since glass can crack with a sudden change in temperature.
Why we like it
- Glass shows the fat line clearly
- Doubles as a 4-cup measuring cup
- Parts come apart for cleaning
- Silicone lid strains solids
Key specifications
| Model | 26028-200 |
|---|---|
| Style | Interior bottom-draw tube |
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Body | Glass |
| Strainer | Removable silicone lid |
| Heat guidance | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you dislike plastic near hot drippings, or want one cup that also handles daily measuring.
Skip it if you are likely to knock it into a sink. Glass is heavier and less forgiving than plastic.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear view of the separation
- Two tools in one
- Separates for cleaning
Cons
- Glass can break
- No heat limit on the listing
- Not covered by the reviews we read
4. HIC Kitchen 32-Ounce Glass Fat Separator – Stovetop-Safe With Two Strainers
HIC sells this as a pitcher made from borosilicate glass, 18/8 stainless steel and food-safe silicone. Two features set it apart. It has two strainers, a pierced one for lumps and herbs and a removable fine-mesh screen for smaller bits. It is also listed as stovetop and microwave safe up to 300°F, which is the clearest heat statement on this page.
That means you can reheat the stock in the same pitcher once the fat is gone. Your gravy can wait on a low burner while the turkey rests, though you should check the instructions for your stove type first. The fine screen answers the common complaint about spout pitchers, which is that small spices slip through.
The wide mouth has quarter-cup markings, and the low spout pours the liquid while the fat stays on top. The maker says to wash it by hand. It rests on the listing, since the reviews we read did not include it. At 6.25 by 8.5 by 4 inches it will take up some cabinet room.
Why we like it
- Listed heat limit of 300°F
- Pierced strainer plus fine-mesh screen
- Borosilicate glass body
- Quarter-cup markings
Key specifications
| Model | 43786 |
|---|---|
| Style | Low-set spout |
| Capacity | 32 oz (4 cups) |
| Body | Borosilicate glass |
| Strainer | Pierced plus fine-mesh screen |
| Heat guidance | Stovetop and microwave to 300°F |
| Cleaning | Hand wash |
| Size | 6.25 x 8.5 x 4 in |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you want a clean strain and a pitcher that can go back on the heat.
Skip it if everything you own has to survive the dishwasher. The maker says to wash this one by hand.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clearest heat statement here
- Two stages of straining
- No plastic body
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Glass can break
- No stopper listed for the spout
5. Norpro 4-Cup Gravy Fat Separator – A Plain Pitcher That Measures
This is the simple version of the idea: a clear pitcher with a spout attached near the base. There is no valve, no stopper and no strainer on the listing. You fill it, wait, and pour slowly until the fat reaches the spout.
One detail needs clearing up. The title calls it a 3-cup separator but also says it holds 4 cups, and the details give 4 cups, 1 liter or 32 ounces. We list it at 4 cups. It has both US and metric markings, measures 5 by 8 by 4.5 inches, and the listing says it is top-rack dishwasher safe and handles hot liquids.
Without a strainer you will want a sieve over the top if your drippings have herbs or browned bits, and a fine-mesh strainer does the job. This pick rests on the listing and the maker’s details. It suits a cook who already owns a good sieve and wants one less thing to wash.
Why we like it
- Very few parts
- US and metric markings
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Full 4-cup capacity on the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 3024 |
|---|---|
| Style | Bottom spout pitcher |
| Capacity | 4 cups (title also says 3 cup) |
| Body | Not stated |
| Strainer | None listed |
| Heat guidance | Listed for hot liquids |
| Cleaning | Top-rack dishwasher safe |
| Size | 5 x 8 x 4.5 in |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you want the plainest tool here and already have a strainer in the drawer.
Skip it if you want strainer, stopper and separator in one piece. The OXO pitcher above includes all three.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple to use and rinse
- Compact for its capacity
- Doubles as a measuring pitcher
Cons
- No strainer listed
- Confusing capacity in the title
- Body material not stated
6. Vondior 4-Cup Bottom-Release Fat Separator – Button Release With an Added Peeler
Vondior is the Amazon-first brand on this list, and we include it because Reviewed covered it and found that it strains and separates well. It works like the OXO Good Gravy: fat floats, stock drains from the bottom, and a red button on the handle lets the liquid out. It has no spout, and a plastic filter lid catches clumps as you pour in.
Reviewed’s complaints were about measuring. It said the markings are hard to read and slightly off, so we would measure stock for a recipe in a proper liquid measuring cup. Treat this as a separator first.
The listing says the plastic is BPA-free and heat resistant, that it works with hot or cold liquids, and that it can go on the top shelf of the dishwasher. It offers a 3-year quality warranty and comes in a gift box with a 3-in-1 peeler, which is a bonus you may or may not need.
Why we like it
- Bottom release keeps fat away from the outlet
- Strains and separates well, per Reviewed
- 3-year warranty on the listing
- Top-shelf dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 12547 |
|---|---|
| Style | Bottom release, button |
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Body | BPA-free plastic |
| Strainer | Plastic filter lid |
| Heat guidance | Hot or cold liquids |
| Cleaning | Top-shelf dishwasher safe |
| Size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you want a bottom-release design and find a button more comfortable than a squeeze handle.
Skip it if you rely on the markings to measure. Reviewed found them slightly off and hard to read.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bottom-release design
- Long stated warranty
- Separates well, per Reviewed
Cons
- Markings slightly off, per Reviewed
- Amazon-first brand
- Bundled peeler adds clutter
7. GoodCook Everyday 2-Cup Fat Separator – Small Size With a Silicone Stopper
Two cups will not hold the drippings from a large turkey, but it is plenty for a roast chicken or a pan of pork. GoodCook’s small separator has a built-in strainer you lift out by a handle, and a silicone stopper that seals the spout while the juices settle. After that you pull the stopper and pour from the spout, which leaves the fat behind.
Pay attention to the heat number. The listing says it is heat resistant up to 200°F, and fresh pan drippings can run hotter than that, so let them sit for a few minutes off the heat before you pour them in. The title mentions both a pour spout and a bottom release, but the feature list describes a spout with a stopper, so that is how we describe it here.
It measures to 2 cups in standard and metric units, and the listing offers a satisfaction guarantee through BradshawHome. This pick rests on the listing and the maker’s details. For a family that cooks a holiday bird, one of the 4-cup picks is a better fit.
Why we like it
- Compact size for small roasts
- Lift-out strainer with a handle
- Silicone stopper seals the spout
- Standard and metric markings
Key specifications
| Model | 16157 |
|---|---|
| Style | Low spout with stopper |
| Capacity | 2 cups |
| Body | Not stated |
| Strainer | Built-in, with handle |
| Heat guidance | Up to 200°F |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Size | 8 x 4.5 x 5.5 (listing, units not given) |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you cook for two to four people and roast chicken more often than turkey.
Skip it if you host a holiday meal. Two cups falls short of the 4 cups America’s Test Kitchen considers the best size.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small enough to store easily
- Strainer and stopper included
- Clear heat limit on the listing
Cons
- Only 2 cups
- 200°F limit means letting drippings cool
- Listing title is confusing on design
8. Fox Run 1.5-Cup Gravy and Fat Separator – The Smallest Cup for Small Roasts
This is the smallest separator we would consider, and it only makes sense in a small kitchen. Fox Run’s acrylic cup holds 1.5 cups and measures 3.5 by 6.5 by 3.5 inches, so it takes up very little room. You add the liquid, wait for the fat to rise, and pour from the spout, leaving the fat in the cup.
The maker gives a useful warning: let very hot liquids cool before you transfer them, and avoid boiling-hot liquid straight from the cooking vessel. Plan to let the juices rest first, which also gives the fat a head start.
No strainer is listed, so pour through a sieve if you want a smooth sauce. It has standard and metric markings and is top-rack dishwasher safe. This pick rests on the listing and the maker’s details. Consider it for a Sunday chicken, and look elsewhere for a turkey.
Why we like it
- Very small footprint
- Standard and metric markings
- Very few parts
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 5598 |
|---|---|
| Style | Spout cup |
| Capacity | 1.5 cups |
| Body | Acrylic |
| Strainer | None listed |
| Heat guidance | Cool very hot liquids first |
| Cleaning | Top-rack dishwasher safe |
| Size | 3.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 in |
Why we recommend it
Buy this if you cook small roasts for one or two people and have very little storage space.
Skip it if your drippings come straight from a hot pan. The maker asks you to let very hot liquids cool first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smallest footprint here
- Simple design
- Maker is clear about heat
Cons
- Only 1.5 cups
- No strainer listed
- Not for boiling-hot liquids
How to choose a fat separator
The right separator comes down to how you like to pour, how much liquid you handle and how hot it is when it goes in. Here is what matters, in rough order.
1. Bottom release or spout
A bottom-release model opens a valve at the base, and you stop it with your hand. A spout pitcher has a low spout, and you stop by tipping it back upright. America’s Test Kitchen says bottom-draining designs keep fat behind more reliably than pitchers. An interior tube, like the Tovolo’s, is a third way of drawing from the bottom.
2. Capacity
America’s Test Kitchen considers 4 cups the best size, and it found that several models could not really hold 4 cups. A large roast can leave you with plenty of drippings and stock, and you need headroom so nothing spills as you carry it. Two cups is enough for a chicken. If you buy only one separator, buy 4 cups.
3. The strainer
America’s Test Kitchen favors a large strainer with many small holes and sides taller than an inch, and it found that a small strainer can splash. If a separator has no strainer, keep a sieve nearby. Our roasting pan guide covers which pans suit a turkey and how to plan for the drippings.
4. Heat limits
This detail is easy to miss. The listings here run from a 300°F stovetop rating on the HIC to 200°F on the GoodCook, and Fox Run asks you to cool very hot liquids first. Others say nothing specific. Where the listing gives no number, let the drippings sit a few minutes off the heat before pouring them in, and read the instructions in the box.
5. Markings that last
You will often measure stock for gravy right in the separator, so the lines need to be accurate and readable. America’s Test Kitchen found that one model was off by up to half a cup and that its lines nearly disappeared after 10 washes. Reviewed found the Vondior’s lines slightly off too.
6. Cleaning
Fat coats everything, so simple shapes are easier to wash. America’s Test Kitchen recommends hand-washing with soap and hot water, because dishwashers often crack or warp these tools and fade their markings, even though many are sold as dishwasher safe. The OXO Good Gravy held up best, with no damage after 10 top-rack washes.
How we picked these eight separators
We read the June 2025 America’s Test Kitchen review by Miye Bromberg and the Reviewed guide by Lindsay D. Mattison, then compared them with each maker’s Amazon listing. The Tovolo, HIC, Norpro, GoodCook and Fox Run entries rest on the listing and the maker’s details, so we chose established housewares brands and said plainly what each listing leaves out. We have not used these separators ourselves.
Some reviewed favorites did not make it. Amazon showed the Cuisipro 4-cup as not ready to ship when we checked, and we could not find the Trudeau 4 Cup, the America’s Test Kitchen Best Buy, in our Amazon search. Reviewed found that the Bellemain spills easily, so we left it out as well. We checked that each pick was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this, and searched the saferproducts.gov recall database by brand. We found no recall for a fat separator from any of these brands.
Fat separator questions, answered
What is a gravy separator?
It is the same tool as a fat separator. Makers use the names interchangeably. It is a pitcher or cup that pours liquid from below the layer of fat, so you keep the stock and leave the grease. OXO and Norpro both use “gravy” and “fat” on the same product.
How long should drippings settle?
Give them a few minutes and watch for a clear line between the fat and the stock. A clear body makes this easy. Set the separator down on the counter and leave it alone rather than carrying it around the kitchen.
Do I need one if I can chill the stock?
Not for stock made a day ahead. Chill it and the fat sets into a layer you can lift off with a spoon. A separator earns its place when you need the liquid now, as with gravy from a turkey that just left the oven, or a broth you want to serve tonight.
Can a fat separator handle pork or beef drippings?
Yes, the idea is the same for any fat that floats. Beef fat can firm up as it cools, so work while it is still liquid and rinse the separator with hot water right after. Do not pour fat down a drain. Let it cool, then put it in a sealed container in the trash.
Can I use a baster instead?
You can pull stock from under the fat with a turkey baster, one bulb at a time. It works in a pinch, but it is slow with a large amount of liquid. A separator handles the whole batch at once.
Our last word on fat separators
Buy the OXO Good Grips Good Gravy 4-Cup if you want the one the reviews put first. Choose the OXO 4-Cup pitcher if you want a simple pour, the Tovolo or HIC for glass, and the Norpro if you already own a strainer. The Vondior offers a button release, while the GoodCook and Fox Run suit small roasts.
Related guide: Fat separator alternative.
For the rest of the holiday bird, see our guide to the best roasting pan for turkey, and the best meat injector if you like to season from the inside. And if you would rather let someone else do the stock work, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston. See the menu and call to order.