It’s that time of the year, gravy goodness will be flowing soon–or it could be gravy grossness if you don’t get rid of all that fat from the meat drippings first.  There are all kinds of methods for separating the fat from the drippings, but using a fat separator is, in my opinion, the quickest and easiest.  The OXO Fat Separator comes in two sizes, a 2-cup and a 4-cup.  They are heat resistant and have a built in strainer.  I personally have the 4-cup and love it.  OK, did I just say I loved a fat separator?  I think I’ve been spending way too much time with all these kitchen gadgets.

$11 for the 2-cup and $15 for the 4-cup

Buy from Sur La Table

These are pretty cool.  The Chalk Talk Glass Storage Jars and Bottles with labels that you can write on with chalk, then erase, and re-label as you change the contents.  Sure, you could just look through the glass and see what’s inside, but that would be cheating, and how could you live with yourself knowing what you’ve done?  I bet you peaked at your Christmas presents as a kid too.  So, just read the label and don’t peak.  If the label is wrong, there may be an occasion or two where you think you’ll be eating a cookie and get a pickled beet, or perhaps a handful of cat food, but isn’t that some excitement your life is missing anyway?

$3.99 – $7.96 from World Market

If you’ve ever gone to heat up your lunch at the office and discovered some cubical jockey has already done that for you… and left you nothing but the mushrooms from what was last night’s spaghetti and meatballs, then give this a try.  Maybe… Experimental Meal – Consume At Own Risk, Biodangerous – Yesterday’s Leftovers, or Nuclear Waste – Eat and Glow …will stop them from pilfering your lunch.  OK, doubtful as we all have that one coworker that will eat a packet of hot Chinese mustard, an entire ball poin pen, or even nuclear waste for a 25 cent bet.  “Heck yeah I’d eat that for a quarter.”

You get three containers in a set (13.5 oz, 20 oz, 33 oz) and each has a nifty dial to set the date so you know when it was put in the fridge.  This way the food doesn’t actually turn into what the label says it is.  After 89 days in the fridge, chicken and dumplings starts to look a bit gnarly.  Heck yeah I’d eat that for a quarter.

$8.99 from Think Geek

Interesting baskets give any room a little more flair. These wire baskets are no exception. They are made from metal wire and finished with a powder coat for added life and rust-resistance. Perfect for fruits, vegetables, and pudding. OK, pudding – maybe not so much. The baskets pictured here are round, but an oval set with nifty handles are available as well. Set of 3 baskets.

Price: Round $48 and Oval $58 – Buy from Napa Style

Ever hit the local garage sales in hopes of finding some vintage crocks to store your produce? Those things are hard to come by. Believe me. I usually end up leaving without the crocks, but with another bean bag chair or chili stained Def Leppard t-shirt. I’m a sucker for a $1.25 t-shirt. I mean, who isn’t?

These canisters are inspired by the crocks of the late 1800s and are the perfect size for storing garlic, onions, and potatoes.  And coincidentally, they have garlic, onions, and potatoes, labeled on the front. How freaky is that? A Chef’s Catalog exclusive.

Priced individually or as a set. Set price: $69.99 – Buy from Chef’s