The Point of Brisket

TEXASBGE2018

So I had an odd thing happen this weekend. Bought an 11lb Prime Brisket at Costco. Trimmed it down a pound or 2 as it had a good bit of hard fat on it and overnighted in the fridge with Meat Church Holy Gospel. Next morning put it on at 8AM. Cooked 9.5 hours till thick part of the flat was around 205 and the Brisket had a good bit of jiggle. Then the odd thing. The point was measuring about 185-190 still. So the dilemma. Do I pull it now when the flat is looking perfect or do I let it go a bit longer so the point is around 200? Well I played the short and took it off. Let it rest till around 145ish IT and the result. SUPER UNDER DONE POINT. I know the cow drives the cook but this just goes to show that its true. I cant recall the last time I had a point not finish before the flat. While it was salvageable. I didn't get that awesome Brisket Point that I prefer. Oh well. Keep on Keepin on.

TEXASBGE2018

Oh and bark development was much much better this time around. 

lousubcap

With that I believe you were caught in the proverbial trick sack unless you separated the point and let in run longer.  Gotta admit I have never temp'd the point-perhaps I have dodged the bullet.  Will have to check it out on the next one.

Good forum heads-up right there. 

TEXASBGE2018

Ya it was really strange. Flavor and moisture wise the flat was on target. Probably among the best I've done to date. As you can see above I kept it whole the entire cook and rest. It was only when I cut into it I realized I had a dud on the point.

SmokeyPitt

FWIW this may be a good opportunity to try burnt ends with the leftover point. I know burnt ends are a sin in TX but may be a good way to salvage the point. 

TEXASBGE2018

SmokeyPitt said:

FWIW this may be a good opportunity to try burnt ends with the leftover point. I know burnt ends are a sin in TX but may be a good way to salvage the point. 

Burnt Ends are among my favorite. I threw the Point in food saver bags to do something with later. That may be a good way to go.

TexasisBestest

With the dual egg genius probe I've been probing my flat AND my point... Oddly the flat comes to temp faster (makes sense) but at approx 160 they hit nearly identical temps. This is at 225 grate temp on my XL egg. I have several that have done this. Nearly a 20 or 30 degree temp variance prior to 140ish and then less than 5 degrees after. Some are better rendered than others.  It's interesting to say the least.

milesvdustin

I always do burnt ends with the point. Too fatty otherwise, needs to render down more. 

nolaegghead

The brisket is done when everything is probe tender.  Usually we just check the flat because it takes longer and the assumption is the point is long done.

But this is not always true.  If the flat is done and the point needs more time, cut the flat off the point and remove it because it will suffer from overcooking while the point can handle it to a larger degree.  

Srf_in_Dfw

How'd you improve the bark? 

GATraveller

That's an interesting situation.  I haven't experienced a time when the flat finished before the point.  Does sound like a perfect situation for burnt ends.

TEXASBGE2018

Srf_in_Dfw said:

How'd you improve the bark? 

I think it was improved by applying a bit more rub than I'm use to and also by not opening the egg for any reason for about the 1st 6 or 7 hours. Before I tended to have a habit of opening the lid every couple hours checking stuff out. Even if it was for 5-10 seconds I think that was really hurting my bark formation.

TEXASBGE2018

nolaegghead said:

The brisket is done when everything is probe tender.  Usually we just check the flat because it takes longer and the assumption is the point is long done.

But this is not always true.  If the flat is done and the point needs more time, cut the flat off the point and remove it because it will suffer from overcooking while the point can handle it to a larger degree.  

Good "point". Might try that next time. I've never done it before but makes sense.