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Smokin-It Smokers => Model 2 & 2D - The Middle Kid => Topic started by: KyDog on January 01, 2016, 08:50:31 AM

Title: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: KyDog on January 01, 2016, 08:50:31 AM
i'm doing my 1st brisket on my #2, 8-1/2 lb flat from Sam's. i've read a few of thew of the posts and think i have a good handle on it. i brined it last night for 12 hours in a kosher salt, brown sugar, cider vinegar, pepper, chipotle, garlic, onion powders brine . a few question's, when smoking should the Fat side be up or down( i'm thinking up, not alot of fat), smoking temp?(thinking 225'), internal finish 190-195.  i will be doing just a basic rub (coarse pepper, garlic & onion powder and a little chili powder).
i will use water pan and will not open till IT is reached. Anything i'm missing?
Thanks Dave
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: gregbooras on January 01, 2016, 09:01:56 AM
Dave,

Looks like a good plan.

Fat side up fat side down, depends who you ask.

I put the fat side down, but then again I also inject the brisket (I don't inject the fat side).

Keep us posted and if you can post a photo or two.

Happy New Years!

Greg
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: kz0m on January 01, 2016, 09:36:26 AM
Dave,

I agree with Greg, sounds like u have it covered!
I do mine fat side up, inject (sometimes) with beef broth and when meat temp gets to 150 (sometimes) I foil (crutch it) the brisket and monitor temp till it gets to 195.  Different ways but low and slow will get the job done!

Yours will taste great!

Carl
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: KyDog on January 01, 2016, 01:24:49 PM
i'll give it a try and see how it turns out, everything else i've in the #2 has turned out great.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: swthorpe on January 01, 2016, 02:25:27 PM
I have always done brisket with the fat side up.  However, if you have a lot of fat on the top, I think it is better to go fat side down as it protects the meat.   If you keep the fat side up, then score it with a knife to allow the fat to break down and render into the meat. 
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: SconnieQ on January 01, 2016, 07:09:04 PM
Fat side up to 195, wrap in foil and rest in a cooler lined with towels for 1-3 hours. If you got your brisket from Sam's, it is probably Choice or Prime. So brining should be adequate. I'd recommend injecting for anything USDA Select for sure though.

I buy USDA Prime whole packer briskets from Costco ($2.79/lb), and I don't even brine or inject those (just rub), and they come out melt-in-your mouth floppy and delicious. Buying a flat/only can be a little dry, in that they can be over-trimmed. A lot of times with brisket, it's more about the quality of the meat (or how lazy and how much fat your particular animal had) vs the cooking technique in the SI.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: KyDog on January 02, 2016, 03:25:49 PM
Well it's been in smoker for 6-1/2 hrs and stuck at 165, I'm assuming this is the stall. Smoker set at 225, hasn't moved  but a couple degree in 2 hrs. Just let it keep smiling? Or wrap and finish at higher temp?
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: swthorpe on January 02, 2016, 04:22:24 PM
Yes, this is the typical stall temp.   You might want to up the temp dial to 235-240, or if you are not pressed for time, just let it go.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: KyDog on January 02, 2016, 04:35:27 PM
Thx, let it ride
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: Walt on January 02, 2016, 04:41:05 PM
With it being 8.5lbs, it should take between 8.5-10 hours @ 225 considering its brined. Let it ride.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: KyDog on January 02, 2016, 04:44:53 PM
 ;)
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: SconnieQ on January 02, 2016, 04:50:10 PM
You don't want to "push" your brisket through the stall by raising the cook temp, unless you absolutely are pressed for time. This is where the brisket becomes tender, so enjoy and embrace the stall. The temp might not rise for several hours. You might even see it go down for a while. Patience will pay off in this situation! It will start to rise eventually.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: swthorpe on January 02, 2016, 04:52:53 PM
+1, if you are  not in a rush, you will be glad that you let it go at 225 -- the stall is magic time!  The briskets that I have done typically run 1 hour/lb.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: Durangosmoker on January 02, 2016, 05:32:27 PM
Just out of curiosity, what kind of wood are you using? I've got my first brisket in the freezer, looking to do it soon.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: SconnieQ on January 02, 2016, 05:53:05 PM
There will be many opinions on that. Beef can take stronger woods. I do a combo of hickory and cherry. Texas-style BBQ will say oak. Even mesquite will be mentioned in the Southwest. The great part is, you can try what you have, then decide what you like. There are no wrong answers!
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: KyDog on January 02, 2016, 10:48:31 PM
Brisket came out perfect, super moist ,melt in your mouth. 10 hrs never opened smoker, large water pan next to box, used hickory. Pulled at 193 IT . appreciate the help.
Dave
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: swthorpe on January 03, 2016, 08:37:45 AM
Perfect!  Well done, Dave!
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: kz0m on January 03, 2016, 07:30:51 PM
I agree with Kari, a lot of advice on different woods.  I do want to make a suggestion for this group, I have found, on eBay, an awesome place to get oak, not just any oak, it comes from the used barrels of Kentucky bourbon, and stills smells like it!  I used this oak and a small amount of mesquite for an awesome brisket!
You get about 80 pieces that are 1-1.5 oz each, $18 & free shipping. That's about enough wood for about 30-40 smokes.  Anyway, the eBay site is 111073541725 if anyone wants to take a look, I've purchased two and I smell the bourbon from the wood in my garage where I have it stored ;-)
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: TmanEater on January 04, 2016, 12:07:24 AM
Carl,

Thanks for the find on the Oak. I just ordered a box. For $18 it's a bargain.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: DivotMaker on January 04, 2016, 07:09:12 PM
Fantastic, Dave!  Flats are hard to keep moist, but looks like you nailed it!! 8)
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: SconnieQ on January 04, 2016, 07:32:02 PM
I have found, on eBay, an awesome place to get oak, not just any oak, it comes from the used barrels of Kentucky bourbon, and stills smells like it!  I used this oak and a small amount of mesquite for an awesome brisket!
You get about 80 pieces that are 1-1.5 oz each, $18 & free shipping. That's about enough wood for about 30-40 smokes.  Anyway, the eBay site is 111073541725 if anyone wants to take a look, I've purchased two and I smell the bourbon from the wood in my garage where I have it stored ;-)

Great tip. Ordered some.
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: DivotMaker on January 04, 2016, 07:36:40 PM
I still have half a box of 7-year whiskey barrel oak I got from Maine Grilling Wood.  Smells great, but it doesn't add additional flavor to the meat.  Also, it's really dry wood, so you have to wrap it to keep it from combusting.  Good white oak, though. 
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: SconnieQ on January 04, 2016, 07:39:09 PM
I still have half a box of 7-year whiskey barrel oak I got from Maine Grilling Wood.  Smells great, but it doesn't add additional flavor to the meat.  Also, it's really dry wood, so you have to wrap it to keep it from combusting.  Good white oak, though.

Think I'll vacuum seal it right away to maintain moisture (potential flavor).
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: DivotMaker on January 04, 2016, 07:43:04 PM
Think I'll vacuum seal it right away to maintain moisture (potential flavor).

Too late.  It's already really dry by the time it's cut from old barrels and sold.  I think I'm going to re-moisturize my by putting in a sealed container with a wet rag, changing the rag every day for about a week.  If you do this, you need to make sure to keep the wet rag in an open plastic bag, not just loose.  The wood will absorb all the moisture!
Title: Re: 1st brisket, have a few questions
Post by: SconnieQ on January 04, 2016, 07:51:27 PM
Think I'll vacuum seal it right away to maintain moisture (potential flavor).

Too late.  It's already really dry by the time it's cut from old barrels and sold.  I think I'm going to re-moisturize my by putting in a sealed container with a wet rag, changing the rag every day for about a week.  If you do this, you need to make sure to keep the wet rag in an open plastic bag, not just loose.  The wood will absorb all the moisture!

Good idea. Wet rag, not in contact with the wood. Should help prevent potential mold issues.