Double brisket cook tonight.

YukonRon

Logger said:

Ron, please tell me her first name and I will include her in my prayers.
By the way, good job bud.

Thank you for the kindness for our loved ones.
Her name is Martha, and she will certainly appreciate your efforts.

SciAggie

@YukonRon That dog is cute. It also looks like it's in the uncoordinated puppy phase double dipped in energy, curiosity, and playfulness. Oh, and did I say energy? I'm sure everything goes in the mouth at this point...

As all of the others have said, you are doing a good thing for your friends. I am reminded of this quote by Gandalf from The Hobbit, "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.”  I always admire folks like you that actually DO something for those that are hurting or in need. Yes, many others here might do the same, but that does not diminish the good deed you are doing.

Dave in Florida

Great thing you are doing there.  Wishing your friend the best while they fight this terrible illness.  I wish our RD would carry prime again.  I was told they stopped because of low sales of prime.  

YukonRon

SciAggie said:

@YukonRon That dog is cute. It also looks like it's in the uncoordinated puppy phase double dipped in energy, curiosity, and playfulness. Oh, and did I say energy? I'm sure everything goes in the mouth at this point...

As all of the others have said, you are doing a good thing for your friends. I am reminded of this quote by Gandalf from The Hobbit, "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.”  I always admire folks like you that actually DO something for those that are hurting or in need. Yes, many others here might do the same, but that does not diminish the good deed you are doing.

It does not take a lot to be kind, especially if you are fortunate in life to have friends like you and everyone on the forum. It was not a problem to throw a second brisket on to an XL.

You are so correct about all energy 24/7. This puppy, 6 months at the end of this week, has been a challenge, but she is very intelligent.

Trying to get the girls in this house to remember she is a dog and not a human is the real challenge. "It is always the owners, not the dog." Certainly applies here.

It has been fun. I had not had the heart or the will to get "all in" on owning another pet, since I lost my Golden. This pup, has erased much of that.

YukonRon

Dave in Florida said:

Great thing you are doing there.  Wishing your friend the best while they fight this terrible illness.  I wish our RD would carry prime again.  I was told they stopped because of low sales of prime.  

I understand exactly what you are talking about. It seems they are shiwing up more here, due to an opportunity with Costco quality being down a bit.

I still do not see them very often, but when I do, I grab one.

Thank you for the kind words and thoughts.

YukonRon

just pulled at 195F IT. Zero resistance to the toothpick test. 14 hour cook, the old fasioned way. Vent control and let her go. DW and bottom vent almost closed completely with a couple minor adjustments along the way.....

saluki2007

That there is some good looking black gold.  We need more friends in this world like you.

YukonRon

saluki2007 said:

That there is some good looking black gold.  We need more friends in this world like you.

We do. I have the ability to identify many that would, at the very least, do what I do, and it would make my feable attempt microscopic in the grand scheme of things. They are all part of this forum, and you sir, would do more than your fair share. I know this.

They were good, or at least the pieces I tore off, under the chefs privilege rule, were.

I need sleep. After delivery of the brisket, And catching up on some work, it will be lights out early for me.

Peace.

lousubcap

Great looking meteorites right there.  Great eats for a great undertaking.
Regarding sleep, @YukonRon are you seeing improvement in that area or waiting til after BB?  

YukonRon

@lousubcap
I went to sleep about 0400, had a global CC, I had to present, at 0700. I was up at 6.
As soon as I get back from travel, in the next couple of weeks, I am getting some medical help with a bunch of things, sleep disorder being one of them.

YukonRon

Smoked brisket and bleu cheese coleslaw burrito

Dobie

How do they compare? 

zyou11

Great looking cook!

Very thoughtful and generous of you. Hope's and prayers going out to you, your family and most of all, Martha and her family. 

YukonRon

@Dobie
The one I made for our friends, from RD, said it was the best they had ever had, but, the brisket you get around here at bbq dining facilities, is less than great.

The smaller Costco was pretty good, but nowhere near SRF Black in quality not my best.

Both were in the freezer since February, this year. I would give the nod to the prime from RD.

Dobie

I’m thawing a Costco prime for this weekend. My first one so hoping it’s decent. Can’t bring myself to spend SRF money. 

YukonRon

Dobie said:

I’m thawing a Costco prime for this weekend. My first one so hoping it’s decent. Can’t bring myself to spend SRF money. 

@Dobie
You know, I get it, but it does seem a stretch on giving some of these cuts a prime rating.
@lousubcap made an excellent observation in his comment earlier, and I have to agree.

I am not saying it was not good, it was, but it is not like some of the previous I had gotten at Costco.

Next sale at SRF, I plan on buying a couple. I will keep checking on Costco, but I am more selective than I had been.

Your cook will be fine. No worries.

YukonRon

zyou11 said:

Great looking cook!

Very thoughtful and generous of you. Hope's and prayers going out to you, your family and most of all, Martha and her family. 

@zyou11
Thank you for the kind words and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

The brisket turned out pretty good. Martha and her family were very thrilled, hopefully it will feed them for a week, or at least until I get back from BBIII.

She is in a fight for her life. We are there to help as much as we can.

Thank you.

YukonRon

lkapigian said:

Props @YukonRon

Thank you, the cook turned out pretty good.

Dobie

Jacksonville Costco just recently started carrying prime brisket so nothing to compare to there for me. I did get the SRF BOGO when it was available so curious to see how it stacks up. Was not the gold SRF though, think it was the black. House renovation is sucking big digits right now. House poor before it’s over   

YukonRon

Dobie said:

Jacksonville Costco just recently started carrying prime brisket so nothing to compare to there for me. I did get the SRF BOGO when it was available so curious to see how it stacks up. Was not the gold SRF though, think it was the black. House renovation is sucking big digits right now. House poor before it’s over   

Brother, I know.
Black is dang good...   no worries there.

Dobie

I knew you could relate. If only I had Rons money 

YukonRon

Dobie said:

I knew you could relate. If only I had Rons money 

You would be more broke than the California department of treasury.

YukonRon

A very nice aroma to wake up to this morning. My Beautiful Wife made breakfast burritoes of eggs, brisket and shredded american cheddar.
Had to wash this down with some delicious freshly ground French Press coffee.
Am I the luckiest SOB or what?
Think I will have another....

GoooDawgs

Well done @YukonRon.   That is a glorious way to start the day!  You're a very lucky man.

YukonRon

GoooDawgs said:

Well done @YukonRon.   That is a glorious way to start the day!  You're a very lucky man.

Thank you and I know it. I do everything I can to keep this most favored status, too!
I appreciate the kind words....

blind99

Ron, that's a great cook, but an even greater gesture.

As far as the beef, I have no idea why Costco briskets get graded prime.  I used to get RD briskets, and they were graded choice.  The RD beef was every bit as good as the Costco stuff.  I try to find the oldest, floppiest brisket available and hope it's had some time to wet age and maybe tenderize a bit. 

Might be fun to buy one a few week ahead of time, and another the day before the cook, and cook side by side and see if there's a difference.

lousubcap

@blind99 - I usually let the brisket wet age a couple of weeks.  I don't have access to RD but I can tell you that my Costco packer brisket experience for the past few months has been of lower quality than before.  They all have more hard fat, long and thinner (width-wise), more silver skin and very thin in the flat.   Definitely seems to be a downward trend quality-wise.  FWIW-

SSQUAL612

@blind99  @lousubcap
Well I thought I would pass along some of the info to Costco for review.  I'm not holding my breath that this will get any attention, but I ran it up the chain.
I even informed them that it was "Senior Members" with a lot of experience and advanced culinary skills.  

 Esmeralda V has joined the chat
 James: I'm an avid back yard cook and I'm a member on a forum where members can share experiences and post cooks, recipes etc. Recently Costco Prime Briskets are getting less than stellar reviews for the quality. Has something changed?
 Esmeralda V: Hi James! Thank you for choosing Costco! My name is Esmeralda V - I'm reviewing your request and will be with you in just a moment.
 James: Here's a post from a senior member who has a lot of experience with Prime Cuts. 
 James: As far as the beef, I have no idea why Costco briskets get graded prime. I used to get RD briskets, and they were graded choice. The RD beef was every bit as good as the Costco stuff. I try to find the oldest, floppiest brisket available and hope it's had some time to wet age and maybe tenderize a bit. Might be fun to buy one a few week ahead of time, and another the day before the cook, and cook side by side and see if there's a difference.
 James: Here is another from a senior member with advanced culinary skills. 
 Esmeralda V: Thank you for bring this to our attention. On your behalf, I will forward your information to the appropriate department. 
 James: usually let the brisket wet age a couple of weeks. I don't have access to RD but I can tell you that my Costco packer brisket experience for the past few months has been of lower quality than before. They all have more hard fat, long and thinner (width-wise), more silver skin and very thin in the flat. Definitely seems to be a downward trend quality-wise. FWIW-
 Esmeralda V: Thank you. 
 Esmeralda V: I will forward your information. I do not see any changes that have been made on the Briskets. 
 James: Thank you...a lot of forum members purchase Costco Prime frequently but now are looking at other sources due to inconsistency. Thank you for your help.
 Esmeralda V: You are welcome, have a wonderful day. We'd love to know how we did serving you! If you would like to tell us about your experience, please share your feedback here: https://secure.opinionlab.com/ccc01/o.asp?id=hBWebQdN
 James: Will someone follow up with me?
 Esmeralda V: I am sorry, no, we will forward your information for further review. They do not follow up with members. 

YukonRon

blind99 said:

Ron, that's a great cook, but an even greater gesture.

As far as the beef, I have no idea why Costco briskets get graded prime.  I used to get RD briskets, and they were graded choice.  The RD beef was every bit as good as the Costco stuff.  I try to find the oldest, floppiest brisket available and hope it's had some time to wet age and maybe tenderize a bit. 

Might be fun to buy one a few week ahead of time, and another the day before the cook, and cook side by side and see if there's a difference.

I like the way you think, I may do that in September, hopefully, when everyone comes down for Bourbon and Beyond, and allow them to evaluate. Should be fun.

Thank you for the kind words, but I am certain you would do the same if needed.

We have been cooking for them since the treatments started. Her husband is a great friend, but he is an emotional basket case. The children are doing ok, but seriously down hearted right now. It is tough, but there is hope, and we are trying to keep it positive.
I took the brisket to them yesterday, and left thinking about what is ahead for them. My hopes remain high.

YukonRon

lousubcap said:

@blind99 - I usually let the brisket wet age a couple of weeks.  I don't have access to RD but I can tell you that my Costco packer brisket experience for the past few months has been of lower quality than before.  They all have more hard fat, long and thinner (width-wise), more silver skin and very thin in the flat.   Definitely seems to be a downward trend quality-wise.  FWIW-

I was there today picking up some supplies for BBIII. I had to check out the briskets, they had prime, but, IMO, it looked like the lower end of choice. Until I find an alternate source, or Costco gets the quality back where it needs to be, it will be BOGO at SRF, (when/if it happens) for me.