Brisket Newbie

double

Thanks for all the great posts on here! I am braving my first brisket this weekend 11.5lbs full brisket. I have read a bunch of the previous posts on briskets and am now just trying to figure out how I am going to go all that time without lifting the lid and if I am actually going to be able to go to sleep with it cooking.

Any additional advice for a newbie appreciated. I am attempting this without a digiq or any of the assists. I did pick up a maverick thermometer.

lousubcap

Given all the homework you have done, the only thing I will offer is make sure your temperature is stable with the brisket on, then get some sleep.  Check every 3-4 hours-more sleep.  Trust the BGE-and enjoy the end result.  Always a journey-

double

Thanks like having another newborn!

lousubcap

But even though you can throw $$ at it-still cheaper in the long run >-

FxLynch

Make sure you have plenty of lump in the Egg, there is no such thing as too much (within reason), but if you run out on a cook that stalls longer than you hoped, it's going to be a pain.

tazcrash

Here is a list that helped me:
Allow for plenty of time. Get done early and be ready to foil/towel/cooler. Give 2 hours per lb.
Patience.
Plenty of lump
Steady temp before putting on meat
Patience.
Stalls happen
If the temp fluctuates, don't start playing with the doors. Chasing an exact temp doesn't help.
Patience
slice against the grain!
Have plenty of beer handy.

lousubcap

@OP-tazcrash's list above is a great condensation of a lot of info that circulates around here regarding brisket.  And remember-it is done when "done" and every hunk is different.  Enjoy-

double

So brisket is on the maverick I telling me grill temp is 185 and slowly climbing... Dome is saying 200 Ish and I recently calibrated it... Should I mess with it or just leave it be???

lousubcap

So brisket is on the maverick I telling me grill temp is 185 and slowly climbing... Dome is saying 200 Ish and I recently calibrated it... Should I mess with it or just leave it be???

Most generally run 250+/- on the dome (or a bit higher) for low&slows-seems to be the BGE "sweet-spot".  With the brisket finish temp somewhere in the 190-205 range-it will take forever at the quoted temps.  And remember it is "done when done"-and that's when a probe slides in and out of the thickest part of the flat "like butter".

The Cen-Tex Smoker

If its steady, you need to bump it up to around 250-260. If its still climbing, wait till it stops and them make small adjustments. Of you are not familiar with low and slow cooking on the egg, small
Adjustments can have big consequences. You went to slowly creep up to 250, not overshoot it and start chasing it down. Slow and steady wins the race. As Taz said above........patience.

double

Thanks guys it's been slow and steady at about 250 dome since around 3 or 4 am whiskey and beer may have clouded the time a bit... I am now a stall at 174 meat temp can't believe I haven't opened it!!! Wife came down this morning and thought it was hysterical that I had slept on the couch to be closer to my Egg...

lousubcap

Be careful of the couch excuse-you may find her suggesting more and more low&slows...sounds like all is doing well-and good for not looking.  Trust your indications:)

double

Stall seems to be lasting forever is this just dependent on the cut?

lousubcap

Every hunk is different so "forever" is relative-as tazcrash said-patience.  And not uncommon to drop in temp during the stall.  Since you are there-here's a link to what's happening to the hunk of meat...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-goldwyn/physicist-cracks-bbq-mystery_b_987719.html?icid=maing-grid10 

 

double

Thanks again! Seems just as I post them problems resolve! Temp is starting to creep up. Almost time to start working on the calamari shrimp stuffed peppers and the shrimp calamari stuffed baked potatoes wrapped in bacon! I'm getting real hungry!

lousubcap

No that's quite a combo-enjoy the end results:)

double

Checked it at 190 going to give it a little more then wrap it up in the cooler. Need to figure out how to post pics on here from my iPhone as its looking tasty! Thanks again for all the tips!

double

finally with Cen-tex help have pics figured out here is how my brisket turned out

tazcrash

Nice looking piece of meat there.
Has to be new record for FTC.