# Rendering and storing lard (for lubrication)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 15, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212 "2017-01-15T05:25:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![tallcoldone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@tallcoldone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tallcoldone)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212/21 "2017-01-17T18:19:12Z")

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> [@scudsucker](#):
>
> Thanks for the response.
> 
> I recall enough high school chemistry to know how to convert the lard to a soap (esterisation) …

/nitpick  
The process of converting fat to soap is saponification, not esterification (or “esterisation”)… 😉

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**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212/22 "2017-01-17T19:52:08Z")

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> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> For use as a lubricant, why do you care if it’s rancid or not? Rancidity is an informal term for partial oxidation. IANA expert, but I doubt oxidation affects the lard’s lubricity very much.

My WAG is that the lubricant must be food grade, hence eliminating rancid fat.

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**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212/23 "2017-01-18T07:45:25Z")

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> [@muldoonthief](#):
>
> Just so you know, lard and tallow are historically made from body cavity fat, not muscle fat, which has very different characteristics. Muscle fat will almost never harden up at room temperature, even after rendering, while body cavity fat will…

That’s interesting. I have back fat, the lard from which has become solid but not as solid as the lard I used. It has set nicely and looks to be usable, albeit somewhat soft. It does have a distinct pork odour - the body cavity lard apparently does not.

However, I have a friend who is a butcher. He discards most of the “leaf lard” - that surrounding the organs - and he’s happy to give me as much as I want free (maybe I should start a lard business)

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**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212/24 "2017-01-18T13:02:28Z")

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> [@scudsucker](#):
>
> That’s interesting. I have back fat, the lard from which has become solid but not as solid as the lard I used. It has set nicely and looks to be usable, albeit somewhat soft. It does have a distinct pork odour - the body cavity lard apparently does not.
> 
> However, I have a friend who is a butcher. He discards most of the “leaf lard” - that surrounding the organs - and he’s happy to give me as much as I want free (maybe I should start a lard business)

Leaf lard is definitely what you want for cooking - sets up hard, very little “porky” odor, etc. I assume it’s hardness makes it the most suitable for the lubricating task you’re doing as well.

BTW, what’s your rendering technique? I do beef suet in a crock pot/slow cooker (described in that video about 7:00 in) - I just toss it in, turn it to low, cover, stir every few hours, and leave it all day. Works like a charm.

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**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rendering-and-storing-lard-for-lubrication/777212/25 "2017-01-19T09:19:59Z")

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> [@muldoonthief](#):
>
> I just toss it in, turn it to low, cover, stir every few hours, and leave it all day. Works like a charm.

I did exactly this, though on low heat on a gas stove. It’s my first effort, seemed to work out OK.

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