fat separator

thingiverse

It's a chilly evening outside. I decided to cook up some chicken soup for dinner. As the pot simmered, I suddenly realized I didn't have a fat separator on hand - a crucial tool that allows me to easily remove excess fat from my soups by letting it sit and then using the freezer method. I had two options: brave the freezing weather or get creative and make one myself since I couldn't find a suitable replacement online. I chose the latter, deciding to take matters into my own hands rather than venturing out into the cold. But just as quickly, I changed my mind again! Instead of using my homemade fat separator, I opted to save the soup for a future occasion when someone might be feeling under the weather and use the freezer method instead. Still, I couldn't help but feel proud of myself for coming up with a solution on the fly. That's where this story takes a turn - Thingiverse now has its very own fat separator design! The picture you see is my first attempt at creating one, and the uploaded STL file boasts 2mm walls to give it added stability. I also made sure to extend the spout further down (beneath the cup would be wasted space) to make it more practical. Printing with PETG material allows this fat separator to withstand hot soup without a problem. However, I do have some reservations about its safety for use with food - specifically whether PETG or my 3D printer's hot end is truly food-grade safe. Still, since the soup wouldn't be in contact with the separator for long periods of time, I figured it was worth a shot. In the end, I didn't end up using this homemade fat separator after all (maybe that's why I'm still kicking!). If you decide to give it a try, please let me know how it works out - assuming you survive the ordeal, that is!