Travis Brisket method

MDHog · July 2012

I'm thinking of trying this this weekend for my first brisket attempt--seems like there is consensus that this is an easier way to go, especially if you only have access to flats.

I'm guessing you don't apply rub to the down side that sits in the liquid, since it would just wash off in the liquid? Also it sounds like fat side up is the preferred way?

Thanks!

The Cen-Tex Smoker · July 2012

Well, here's the.....rub. Travis can chime in if he is around but here's my thought. If you do fat side UP and only rub that, you are missing out on the best part of the brisket. I would do it fat side DOWN, rub the non fat side and let the fat sit in the braise. It's all going to fall off on which ever side you put in the braising liquid so I would do fat side down and rub the top so you have a good bark on the meat side.

MDHog · July 2012

Thanks Cen Tex. That was one reason I asked the question. Putting the rub only on the fat side didn't seem to make much sense, but neither did rubbing the side that sits in the braising liquid.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · July 2012

No worries. I've seen another method that was half smoked and half braised for competition. they always did fat side up in the smoker and then put it fat side down in the braising liquid after 4 hours or something like that. That makes the most sense to me but I've never done it. I know I would want the crust on my meat and not my fat if I had to choose.

MemphisBBQ · July 2012

I have done almost a dozen briskets since I started smokin' about 6 years ago. The first one I did turned out fantastic, perfectly tender, tasty...man, everything was just ON with it. Ever since then, I have not been able to dial in a technique that I can go to each and every time to deliver the goods on a reliable basis.

I don't know if it is like chasing that first high and I will never obtain that again or what.

I really need a method that I can rely on.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · July 2012

I have done almost a dozen briskets since I started smokin' about 6 years ago. The first one I did turned out fantastic, perfectly tender, tasty...man, everything was just ON with it. Ever since then, I have not been able to dial in a technique that I can go to each and every time to deliver the goods on a reliable basis.
I don't know if it is like chasing that first high and I will never obtain that again or what.

I really need a method that I can rely on.

Very common. Trav's is the easiest because it's essentially a braise. Very tender and very hard to screw up. I'm more traditional with just smoke and rub. I'll be glad to share how I do it and i think I can get you there if you want to explore it the old school way. Might take a few times, but that's half the fun

ajridge35 · July 2012

Where can I find the how to on Travis' method?

The Cen-Tex Smoker · July 2012

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1138233/brisket-how-i-do-it#latest

tactical_66 · July 2012

@ ajridge35 I am a Skins fan as well.

Duganboy · July 2012

I did one using Trav's method and I did it fat side down, so I would have the bark on the top. Folks at my office said it was really good--best ever.

Two weeks later I did traditional way and they said it was the best ever.

They just want me to keep bringing things in for them to eat.

travisstrick · July 2012

Fat up or down, doesn't matter much. do it in the liquid the whole time or just for a few hours, doesn't matter. It's pretty forgiving. Do raise ur pan above the plate setter or ur liquid will dry up.

BYS1981 · July 2012

@ ajridge35 I am a Skins fan as well.

I am sorry for you loss.

Eller · July 2012

Travis, I wil try your method this weekend. Thanks,

MDHog · July 2012

Fat up or down, doesn't matter much. do it in the liquid the whole time or just for a few hours, doesn't matter. It's pretty forgiving. Do raise ur pan above the plate setter or ur liquid will dry up.

So when you say above your plate setter I assume you mean

plate setter with legs up

grid on platesetter

pan on grid

Planning to try it this weekend!

GA_Dawgs · July 2012

@ Cen-Tex: What is your method?

I have done a full packer only and had pretty good results doing smoke and rub only. However the only place where I live to find full briskets are local butchers who all only sell Prime grass fed for about $6-7 per lb and a $75 brisket is not going to be an every month . I got one last week at Sams' Club that is a flat with just a touch of the point not cut off. All they have are flats, but the price is much better at about $3-3.50 per lb.

lousubcap · July 2012

@ GA_Dawgs-about all I can get are flats and hitting a home-run with them is a real challenge due to the absense of the moisture from the point. I have always cooked them at around 260+/- on the dome and see aound 2 hrs/# to the finish-line. I do layer some bacon on the non-fat side of the flat (cook fat side down) just as I put it on the BGE. Seems to help-the bacon will be ultra crispy well before the flat is finished so I remove it to let the bark finish up. (use the bacon as you wish...) I intend to give Travis's braise method a shot one of these days. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

travisstrick · July 2012

I've done it several ways. As long as there is space between your indirect piece and the alum pan, ur fine. The way you described is what I normaly do.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · July 2012

GA and Cap- I'm going to do a flat this weekend just to see how different they really are for me. I haven't done a flat in 5 years. I have noticed that going 250-260 grid for about 1-1.25hr per lb is working really well for me. I think it dries out when it goes 2 hrs per lb. i did it that way for may years and I'm getting the best results I've ever had a little hotter and a little faster

GA- I'll get with you on setup etc later this afternoon. Gotta pay some bills today

lousubcap · July 2012

@ Cen-Tex-I will be paying attention-anything to up the percentage of triples and home-runs. Good luck with that hunk of beef.

GA_Dawgs · July 2012

Thanks Lou, sounds like a good idea...hopefully the brisket turns out well and if not at least I will have some nice crispy bacon!

travisstrick · July 2012

I'll second cen tex observations on hotter and faster being better.

booksw · July 2012

I accidentally did hotter and faster and now my brisket is at temp since 6 AM and dinner is at 7 PM. Brisket is wrapped in the cooler and Egg is at 230. I am not sure what I should do. I am thinking about keeping it wrapped a putting it back on around 1-4PM to heat it back up?

jlsm · July 2012

What exactly is Allegro? Is there an equivalent? Can't find it in Philly.

travisstrick · July 2012

I accidentally did hotter and faster and now my brisket is at temp since 6 AM and dinner is at 7 PM. Brisket is wrapped in the cooler and Egg is at 230. I am not sure what I should do. I am thinking about keeping it wrapped a putting it back on around 1-4PM to heat it back up?

That's what I'd do.