Smoked Brisket took +3 hour per Lb at 225?

Unknown

Got my small 5lb flat brisket finally smoked. This is not my first brisket, but the first I do on my newely aquired large egg. It sure took a little longer then I expected (had to defrost some delicious pulled pork from few weeks ago for dinner ;-). Total cooking time 17.5 hours, at 225 degree. I pulled the brisket out 3.25am in the morning (ok bad planning I know) when it reach an internal temp opf 195 degree and felt ready to when proding with a temp probe. I wrapped in foil, put it cooler with bath towels and went to bed. I only open the egg once briefly during the smoking, used a place setter for indirect cooking, a few chunks of hickory and mesquite for taste. Tasted it first 5 hours later when temp was down to 147. The result is great, nice and juice, great taste. I used a Java Rub I found in one of Steven R books (used my own roasted coffee beans though). I am curious if its normal with the brisket that it takes over 3 hours per lb at 225. I cooked it with fatcap down to insulate the brisket after recommendation from this forum. Look forward to you thoughts...[p]Anders

WessB

Anders,
The few briskets I have done all ran around 2 hours/lb...they were all just the flat as that is what is available here......When you say 225° if you are reffering to dome temp, your actual grid temp was more like 200°-210° which would explain the added time...just a thought..try using a probe of some sort and cook at 225°-235° grid temp, that should cut your cook time down considerably.[p]Wess

Unknown

Thanks WessB,[p]I placed a oven thermometer on the grid, and correct the grid temp is about 20 degree's lower then dome. Next time I do it i will try higher dome temp to compensate and shorten the cooking time. Do you know if longer cooking at lower temp give more or less shrinkage?

WessB

Anders,
Cant say about shrinkage one way or the other...I would think it would be the same either way tho...just my guess.[p]Wess

Dos Huevos

Anders,[p]I know that cold water makes for more shrinkage, but that might not be what you're asking...[p]