A method for removing fat from salvaged blood includes transferring salvaged blood from a reservoir to a blood component separation device, and separating the blood into a plurality of blood components. The method may then transfer a volume of unwashed blood components from the blood component separation device back toward the reservoir, and re-centrifuge the blood components remaining within the blood component separation device. After re-centrifuging, the method transfers additional salvaged blood from the reservoir to the blood component separation device to refill the blood component separation device. The method may then wash the components within the bowl by introducing wash solution into the blood component separation device. The wash solution displaces a volume of fat from the blood component separation device and into a waste container. The method may then empty the washed blood components within the blood component separation device to a product container.