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Need a smaller brisket!

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pikeman
pikeman Posts: 6
in EggHead Forum
I've got a large BGE and want to smoke a brisket. The obstacle has been that they are huge. I've been shopping at HEB, Costco, and even Walmart. I want a 10-12 pounder. Does anyone have a source for the smaller ones? I'm even thinking of checking the halal meat markets. I live in Pflugerville, so Williamson ought to be included in any suggestions.
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  • bgeaddikt
    bgeaddikt Posts: 503
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    HEB near the outlets in Round Rock has good variety. Maybe Sprouts in Round Rock as well. WalMarts have a ton and like you said they tend to be bigger. I haven't got 1 from WalMart, they gross me out for some reason and i havent even tried them.
    Austin, Tx
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  • EggMcMic
    EggMcMic Posts: 340
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    Some might say you need a bigger egg...
    EggMcMcc
    Central Illinois
    First L BGE July 2016, RecTec, Traeger, Weber, Campchef
    Second BGE, a MMX, February 2017
    Third BGE, another large, May, 2017
    Added another griddle (BassPro) December 2017
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    Wrap a brick in tin foil.  Let the brisket drape over the brick until it shrinks to fit.  You should be able to fit a nice one in there.  

    Plus, that helps prevent moisture pool that messes bark up.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • Arkysmokin
    Arkysmokin Posts: 124
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    I wouldn't go Walmart. I just read a post the other day where people were hating on Walmart Briskets. I live out in Steiner Ranch and both HEBs carry 9-10pd briskets. But, if you can't find one small enough just use a brick wrapped in foil to sit under the middle of your brisket until it shrinks enough.

    Live in Austin/From Arkansas

    XL BGE

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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    Not my picture, just off the interweb (possibly from here).  Shouldn't have an issue with upwards of 16lbs or more on a large.  


    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • Ladeback69
    Ladeback69 Posts: 4,482
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    I get my briskets from Sam's sometimes and they have some 12 pounds at time, but the brick wrapped in foil is the way to go.   I have an XL so I don't usually have this problem.
    XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

    Kansas City, Mo.
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    Arkysmokin said:
    I wouldn't go Walmart. I just read a post the other day where people were hating on Walmart Briskets. I live out in Steiner Ranch and both HEBs carry 9-10pd briskets. But, if you can't find one small enough just use a brick wrapped in foil to sit under the middle of your brisket until it shrinks enough.
    You do understand these aren't "Walmart briskets", but cryo-vac'ed from Excel/Cargill foods, right?  

    They aren't prime or waygu, but you have to make sure what you pick is nice and floppy.  Wet aging helps too and I feel wrapping after the stall helps retain moisture in choice briskets.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • tonyled
    tonyled Posts: 536
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    i did an 18 lber my last cook it fit fine
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  • Toxarch
    Toxarch Posts: 1,900
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    I know that my large will fit a brisket the length of my elbow to my finger tips, so that is my measuring stick when I am picking out a brisket to cook.
    Aledo, Texas
    Large BGE
    KJ Jr.

    Exodus 12:9 KJV
    Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

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  • GoooDawgs
    GoooDawgs Posts: 1,060
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    Ladeback69 said:
    I get my briskets from Sam's sometimes and they have some 12 pounds at time, but the brick wrapped in foil is the way to go.   I have an XL so I don't usually have this problem.
    How are the Sam's briskets?   My Costco in Atlanta said to check them out for full briskets... 
    Milton, GA 
    XL BGE & FB300
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,110
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    Could also cut off the desired amount from a larger brisket and grind for burgers.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Killit_and_Grillit
    Killit_and_Grillit Posts: 4,326
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    I got a little runty 8 lber from Costco last time

    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
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    GoooDawgs said:
    Ladeback69 said:
    I get my briskets from Sam's sometimes and they have some 12 pounds at time, but the brick wrapped in foil is the way to go.   I have an XL so I don't usually have this problem.
    How are the Sam's briskets?   My Costco in Atlanta said to check them out for full briskets... 
    @GoooDawgs I have had pretty good luck with Sam's briskets. I am also in GA so our choices are limited. The briskets from Sam's are Excel brand Angus.  That is the only difference I can see between Sam's and Walmart briskets is the Sam's briskeys have Angus stamped on them.  

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • Shiff
    Shiff Posts: 1,835
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    I also once cooked an 18 pounder and had no problems.  I didn't have any bricks handy so I put in my V rack and draped it over that. 
    Large BGE
    Barry, Lancaster, PA
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    Shiff said:
    I also once cooked an 18 pounder and had no problems.  I didn't have any bricks handy so I put in my V rack and draped it over that. 
    Let me rephrase by saying anything you can find to drape the brisket over will work. 
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,396
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    Regardless of the draping apparatus (or jamming hit on) once shrinkage takes over I have had 16+ lb briskets eventually fit flat.  Just make sure to foil protect any part that overhangs your heat deflector throughout the cook.  FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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  • Bart1434
    Bart1434 Posts: 160
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    be fortunate you have this problem, I can't even find a packer brisket anywhere around my neck of the woods in Connecticut

    Southwestern, CT

    "I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Pete Rose

    ...and to eat some great Food of course
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  • billt01
    billt01 Posts: 1,530
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    buy a whole packer and separate the deckle or point from the flat...cook them at different times...
    Have:
     XLBGE / Stumps Baby XL / Couple of Stokers (Gen 1 and Gen 3) / Blackstone 36 / Maxey 3x5 water pan hog cooker
    Had:
    LBGE / Lang 60D / Cookshack SM150 / Stumps Stretch / Stumps Baby

    Fat Willies BBQ
    Ola, Ga

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  • Eggscuses
    Eggscuses Posts: 399
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    Bart1434 said:
    be fortunate you have this problem, I can't even find a packer brisket anywhere around my neck of the woods in Connecticut
    Bart try your local grocery store. I asked at stop and shop the other day, they said they would sell it whole. 
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  • Bart1434
    Bart1434 Posts: 160
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    thanks @eggscuses luckily I just joined KCBS and am able to use a 1 day pass to RD, when I tried asking the local butcher @ Costco here in town the guy looked at me like I had no idea what I was talking about

    Southwestern, CT

    "I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Pete Rose

    ...and to eat some great Food of course
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  • HoustonEgger
    HoustonEgger Posts: 616
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    16-18 lbs usually work just fine after trimming. On the rare occasion that I get one that's too long, I cut of 4-5 inches off the flat and brine that to make corned beef
    Formerly of Houston, TX - Now Located in Bastrop, TX
    I work in the 'que business now (since 2017)

    6 Eggs: (1) XL, (2) Large, (1) Small, (1) Minimax & (1) Mini - Egging since 2007
    Also recently gained: (1) Gas Thing (came with the house), (1) 36" Blackstone Griddle & (1) Pitts & Spitts Pellet Smoker
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