Woosday - My first brisket

Ottawa_egger · May 2007

Did my first brisket two weekend's ago and have to rank it as a moderate success, probably a 5 or 6 on a 10 pt scale for first brisket attempts. I paid $4.50/lb (C$) for it, but it came fully trimmed. It was about 5.5 lbs. Here it is caked with about half a container of Dizzy Dust, regular grind (with scissors for a size comparison):[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
Next is the fire with four chunks of guava wood courtesy of Guava Greg:[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
On goes the drip pan:[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
followed by the hunk of beef:[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
Here it is about 4-5 hrs into the cook:[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
and here is the completed brisket after about 9-10 hrs (I figured on about 1.75 hrs/lb):[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
In the end the point turned out was nice and juicy, but the flat was pretty dry:[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]
So we ate the point and chopped up what was left of the flat for some burnt end sammies with extra-old cheddar:[p]<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">[p]So I assume the flat was dry due to operator error. I should have been more diligent and gone by temperature, but I wanted to leave the dome down as much as possible. I think I will put a BBQ Guru on my Xmas wish list.[p]Ottawa_egger

onelegchef · May 2007

Ottawa_egger,
Looks a little dry, however briskets are a tough cook, for your first one you did great, perhaps pull it a little sooner next time.
Good Luck
Bobby-FTW,Tx

Celtic Wolf · May 2007

Ottawa_egger,[p]That was all flat.. The point would sit on TOP of the flat with a layer of fat between it and the flat.[p]Fully trimmed usually means NO fat... This is actually bad. You want that fat to keep it moist while it cooks. Next time tell your Butcher you want a packer. if he looks at you funny just sigh and tell him you want the whole flat untrimmed in the cryrovac. [p]Brisket is not the easiest meat to cook, so hang in there you'll get it right eventually.
[p]

Buster Dog BBQ · May 2007

Ottawa_egger,
You might want to foil somewhere after 165-170 until it reaches 195-200. Might also add some liquid to the foil. If you do get a whole packer brisket, separate the point from the flat and cook together. When the flat is done put the point on for a few more hours to make burnt ends. Might want to add more rub at that time.

Unknown · May 2007

Buster Dog BBQ,[p]I did a similar sized brisket last weekend. I foiled it at 160 and then took it to 200. Coolered for 2-3 hrs. Was nice and tender, but a bit dry.[p]Anyone out there pull a brisket closer to 190? I was thinking about trying that this weekend.

Little Steven · May 2007

Ottawa_egger,[p]This is a good guide to beef cuts.[p]Steve
[ul][li]http://www.cbef.com/products.htm[/ul]

Unknown · May 2007

Ottawa_egger,
I got a guru two weeks ago, and LIFE IS GOOD!
I can't beleive how easy it is. I've done a brisket and a boston butt with phenomenal results. The nighbors won't stay away...[p]

RJH · May 2007

Ottawa_egger, I put the guru on my list for last Christmas and Santa came through. I absolutely love it. But until then if you just want to know the meat temp without opening the dome, and that can be done with a Marerick, or any other remote probe thermometer, for a lot less money. I did my first briskets and butts using a Maverick, and still use it with my guru when I have multiple cuts of meat in the egg. Each cut is unique, and it's nice to know how each is doing.[p]Cheers

Unknown · May 2007

Ottawa_egger,[p]I have had my guru for a year now and love it. No more 4am wake up calls for me.[p]I did a brisket six years ago. It would have been good if I called it jerky! I<ll try another one of these days but until then everything else is great.. paul

Unknown · May 2007

I;m on my 10th brisket now, and my last one was a 5.5 pounder, it shocked me, only 5 hours to reach 195, and then put into cooler with towels for three hours. Nice ring and juicy. I always cook on a raised grid now. 230 to 250 egg temp.And I always use a probe, no peeeeky. good luck[p]

Woosday - My first brisket

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