All Things Brisket

[utxmike05 1828]

Fukin $5.15/lb prime. Should have bought last wk when it was 3.59. Smoked two 9lbers for family.

But nonetheless here are the money pics:

(No filters but iphone cam is great when it wants to be.)









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[utxmike05 1828]

Also started using this Weber Connect hub. Runs off wifi and bluetooth. Great so far but hoping they add features like temp low and high alerts for each probe. These probes are thinner and easier to insert than my old retired my Maverick probes.






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[Anastasis 23469]

6 minutes ago, utxmike05 said:

Fukin $5.15/lb prime. Should have bought last wk when it was 3.59. Smoked two 9lbers for family.

But nonetheless here are the money pics:

(No filters but iphone cam is great when it wants to be.)









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spot on. 

[cknight 184]

Market Street in Dfw has choice packers for $1.97lb. I picked one up today and they had plenty although they did have a limit of one


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[Johnny Sack 8397]

Why the gloves?  I wash my hands before and after I touch food.  Why do you wear gloves to handle brisket?  A lot do.  Trying to understand why.  Because maybe I should also.

[jw4381 3074]

I saw a 20# brisket today for 2.99/lb.

Didn't buy it cause I'm doing chickens and pork and sausage this weekend.

That one just above - mike - looks damn good.

[dcbc 14484]

1 hour ago, Johnny Sack said:

Why the gloves?  I wash my hands before and after I touch food.  Why do you wear gloves to handle brisket?  A lot do.  Trying to understand why.  Because maybe I should also.

It's pretty warm.  Glove keeps the heat just enough off the hand to slice things up a lot of slices at a time.  Plus, hands washed or not, if I'm slicing for others, I think they appreciate seeing a gloved hand (most remark about it positively in my experience).  I know I do. 

[conVINCEd 21469]

Combo of heat/sanitation/not wanting my hands to smell like a brisket for a few days. 

[Landomatic 3813]

14 hours ago, conVINCEd said:

Combo of heat/sanitation/not wanting my hands to smell like a brisket for a few days/wanting to look like a pro so people subconsciously think my brisket is better than it really is. 

fixed

[VABuckeye 2472]

14 hours ago, conVINCEd said:

not wanting my hands to smell like a brisket for a few days

But why?

Wife picked up a 6 lb flat for this weekend.  A little tricky but I think I have them figured out.

[conVINCEd 21469]

3 minutes ago, VABuckeye said:

But why?

Wife picked up a 6 lb flat for this weekend.  A little tricky but I think I have them figured out.

You can like how something smells, and, at the same time, not want to wear that scent as cologne.

Edited May 22, 2020 by conVINCEd

[Steel Shank 9425]

On 5/20/2020 at 6:23 PM, utxmike05 said:

Also started using this Weber Connect hub. Runs off wifi and bluetooth. Great so far but hoping they add features like temp low and high alerts for each probe. These probes are thinner and easier to insert than my old retired my Maverick probes.






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How do you like the Webber Connect Hub? I'd like to use something that works with my home wifi, since the coverage is much wider than the Bluetooth range on my Igrill device. I have an Iphone.

[utxmike05 1828]

How do you like the Webber Connect Hub? I'd like to use something that works with my home wifi, since the coverage is much wider than the Bluetooth range on my Igrill device. I have an Iphone.

Third time using and no issues. Wifi option is great for roaming around the house away from the pit wout losing connection. It switches between bluetooth and wifi on its own.

Plus for using your phone to monitor, so you dont need a receiver to carry around.

The option for 4 probes is nice but only used 2 for meat so far at the same time. And 1 for the ambient pit temp. Kit includes the ambient robe and bracket + 1 meat probe. Have to buy extra meat probes.


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[KYHorn 17058]

I need some advice.

I'm looking to start learning to smoke. Would eventually like to get to brisket after starting smaller. I've got kids, working on a dissertation, and full time job so I'm looking more for a set it and forget it situation. I realize this subset of the Surl might be averse to this, but it's just where I am. In the research I've done, it seems electric smokers are a no-go and charcoal/wood are too demanding of time (see above time constraints) and have a steep learning curve. So, I'm thinking a pellet smoker is the way to go for my situation, but I want something that is going to be worth buying and eventually using for brisket. 

I have a propane grill that I'm happy with and is only a few years old, so I've been thinking a vertical pellet smoker might be the best option for me.

I'm considering these, but am open to suggestions:

Camp Chef XXL: https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Vertical-Pellet-Smoker/dp/B07L48P5LP 

Pit Boss 5 Series: https://pitboss-grills.com/Shop-Pit-Boss/Grills/vertical-smokers/5-series-vertical-smoker-pellet

What do y'all think? Do you have any experience with either of these?

Edited May 22, 2020 by KYHorn

[NateHitch 1282]

There's a pellet smoker thread, not sure how to link to it on tapa

[NateHitch 1282]

Oh nevermind, just saw you posted in that one too

[McFly 606]

I started with an electric Brinkman smoker.  Good cheap way to get your feet wet. I use a Weber Smokey Mountain now. Once you learn it, it's pretty much set and forget.
Don't know about the ones you posted. Friend has a pellet Traeger pro 575 and says he hates it.  Said it's a finicky POS and always acting up, has to vacuum out the used pellets, and the app only works half the time. 

[KYHorn 17058]

14 minutes ago, McFly said:

I started with an electric Brinkman smoker.  Good cheap way to get your feet wet. I use a Weber Smokey Mountain now. Once you learn it, it's pretty much set and forget.
Don't know about the ones you posted. Friend has a pellet Traeger pro 575 and says he hates it.  Said it's a finicky POS and always acting up, has to vacuum out the used pellets, and the app only works half the time. 

I've heard electrics don't have much smoke flavor. Was that your experience? 

[conVINCEd 21469]

A WSM or one of the ceramics would pretty much be set it and forget it if you’re willing to drop a little extra coin on electronic monitoring equipment.

[Anastasis 23469]

WSM imo. But I am kinda dogmatic when it come to cooking with sawdust. 

[AustinMT 952]

1 hour ago, Anastasis said:

WSM imo. But I am kinda dogmatic when it come to cooking with sawdust. 

Oh you pellet haters.  Had a Traeger for years. I’ve replaced the fan once, the firepot once, and upgraded the controller by choice.  All inexpensive.  Easy to use, easy to clean, and I can go back to sleep.  I’ve posted results on this board and the beef ribs board.  If you know how to use it (and it doesn’t’ take take long) you can get plenty of smoke and a good ring and bark.  I’m not knocking other pits, Or styles, because they are  all great if you use them properly.

Edited May 23, 2020 by AustinMT

[El Diablo 4232]

I've got a 17 lb that won't fit on my little smoker so I cut it in half. It's a vertical smoker so one half on 2 of the 3 racks, ribs on the other rack. Is that going to change the cooking time in any way? I know, aim for the right temp but never had to do this and would like to know if this is going to throw me off at all.

[Henry Hill 3156]

On 5/20/2020 at 7:20 PM, utxmike05 said:

Fukin $5.15/lb prime. Should have bought last wk when it was 3.59. Smoked two 9lbers for family.

But nonetheless here are the money pics:

(No filters but iphone cam is great when it wants to be.)









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dr Fear 1268]

I've got a 17 lb that won't fit on my little smoker so I cut it in half. It's a vertical smoker so one half on 2 of the 3 racks, ribs on the other rack. Is that going to change the cooking time in any way? I know, aim for the right temp but never had to do this and would like to know if this is going to throw me off at all.

How did you cut it? You have one side that is mostly flat?

[El Diablo 4232]

2 hours ago, Dr Fear said:

2 hours ago, El Diablo said:

I've got a 17 lb that won't fit on my little smoker so I cut it in half. It's a vertical smoker so one half on 2 of the 3 racks, ribs on the other rack. Is that going to change the cooking time in any way? I know, aim for the right temp but never had to do this and would like to know if this is going to throw me off at all.

How did you cut it? You have one side that is mostly flat?

Yep, just cut it across the middle. 

[Dr Fear 1268]

Yep, just cut it across the middle. 

I would guess the flat would cook more quickly because it is thinner, maybe give the other side an hour or two head start?

[Lurch 5930]

And or wrap the thicker half w foil to give it a boost

[McFly 606]

Next time separate the flat from the point 

[Steel Shank 9425]

fuck that pellet shit

[AustinMT 952]

Just now, Steel Shank said:

fuck that pellet shit

Whatever

[Steel Shank 9425]

[Steel Shank 9425]

[Dutch 4465]

Those have the look of a mighty fine whole brisket sammich. 

[ImissWallyPryor 9046]

9 hours ago, KYHorn said:

I need some advice.

I'm looking to start learning to smoke. Would eventually like to get to brisket after starting smaller. I've got kids, working on a dissertation, and full time job so I'm looking more for a set it and forget it situation. I realize this subset of the Surl might be averse to this, but it's just where I am. In the research I've done, it seems electric smokers are a no-go and charcoal/wood are too demanding of time (see above time constraints) and have a steep learning curve. So, I'm thinking a pellet smoker is the way to go for my situation, but I want something that is going to be worth buying and eventually using for brisket. 

I have a propane grill that I'm happy with and is only a few years old, so I've been thinking a vertical pellet smoker might be the best option for me.

I'm considering these, but am open to suggestions:

Camp Chef XXL: https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Vertical-Pellet-Smoker/dp/B07L48P5LP 

Pit Boss 5 Series: https://pitboss-grills.com/Shop-Pit-Boss/Grills/vertical-smokers/5-series-vertical-smoker-pellet

What do y'all think? Do you have any experience with either of these?

Get a Weber Smokey Mountain. They learning curve is short. The brands you linked have way too many 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon, and their lower Fake Spot grade means the percentage of low star reviews is even higher. The WSM has very, very few poor reviews, and I’m pretty sure they’re made in the USA (that’s important to me).

[dcbc 14484]

13 hours ago, ImissWallyPryor said:

Get a Weber Smokey Mountain. They learning curve is short. The brands you linked have way too many 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon, and their lower Fake Spot grade means the percentage of low star reviews is even higher. The WSM has very, very few poor reviews, and I’m pretty sure they’re made in the USA (that’s important to me).

This.  Get a WSM, preferably the 22.5" one.  Load up charcoal and 3 wood chunks of your choice.  Open all vents low and high  Light up 12 of the coals in a chimney, and dump them in the middle.  Foil the water pan (I prefer two clay pot bases in there instead of water).  Assemble.  When it's up to temp (using an external thermometer), close down two of the three lower vents, close the third one down to a pencil width (that's metric), and leave the top vent open.  Once the thick white smoke clears up a bit, add meat.  Cook, wrap, maybe don't wrap, probe done, temp done, read up on it.  But when you get the latter part right, it will be world class as far as you're concerned.

Edited May 23, 2020 by dcbc

[El Diablo 4232]

9 hours ago, Dr Fear said:

9 hours ago, El Diablo said:

Yep, just cut it across the middle. 

I would guess the flat would cook more quickly because it is thinner, maybe give the other side an hour or two head start?

I'm up and it's on. This is what I'll do. 

[El Diablo 4232]

11 hours ago, AustinMT said:

Oh you pellet haters.  Had a Traeger for years. I’ve replaced the fan once, the firepot once, and upgraded the controller by choice.  All inexpensive.  Easy to use, easy to clean, and I can go back to sleep.  I’ve posted results on this board and the beef ribs board.  If you know how to use it (and it doesn’t’ take take long) you can get plenty of smoke and a good ring and bark.  I’m not knocking other pits, Or styles, because they are  all great if you use them properly.

What model would you recommend? 

[AustinMT 952]

2 hours ago, El Diablo said:

What model would you recommend? 

On Traeger: I have what was called the “Texas Elite,” which is now, I think, the Pro 780.  They’ve added to other series since I bought mine, that go up in price and features (Ironwood and Timberline).  At the price for the Timberline, I’d buy a Yoder.

[Anastasis 23469]

Progress is being made.

The oldest boy was unimpressed.

"Oh you're only doing one?"

Little asshole. 

 

Edited May 23, 2020 by Anastasis

[jw4381 3074]

Not brisket

[mdleast 8289]

Another hot and fast brisket on my WSM. While the hot and fast method never results in impressive looking bark, it was delicious and certainly not DAF.

[otisdog 365]

Just put on a 10 lb'er (untrimmed) which has a thin flat (novice buyer)....where should I place the thermometer probe?

[Lurch 5930]

Just put on a 10 lb'er (untrimmed) which has a thin flat (novice buyer)....where should I place the thermometer probe?

Middlish of the flat. Probe parallel to the grate, about halfway up the flat

[otisdog 365]

Thank you

[VABuckeye 2472]

6 lb flat went on this morning.  No packers in NOVA this week.  Buying beef is really sucking lately.  Very high prices and limited supply.  The other meats aren't far behind.  Pork is tough to get as well.

[Anastasis 23469]

Got a late start yesterday, and natives were getting restless, pulled it too soon. Sigh. Don't care, had tacos.

Edited May 24, 2020 by Anastasis

[Spaulding Smails 1552]

I couldn't find a dedicated thread to BBQ pits / smokers.  Seems like there was one a few years back about a BBQ trailer build.  May have been on the old site.  I did a search, but didn't find anything.  If I'm missing the more appropriate thread, fire away with the neg rep.  

Anyhow, I've embarked on a project.  I had my masons build this.  Yesterday, I set the vertical pipes for the counterweight pulley system.  I'm starting on the bulk of the steel install in a few weeks.  Getting the doors laser cut next week.  Totally winging it so far.  Couldn't find anything close to drawings or plans online, but it's basically a single fire box + main cooking chamber (both on counter-weighted pulleys), and vertical chamber.  I'll post more pics as it comes together.  Fire away with comments or criticism.   

[NateHitch 1282]

That's cool, looking forward to seeing you cook on it

[Anastasis 23469]

1 hour ago, Spaulding Smails said:

I couldn't find a dedicated thread to BBQ pits / smokers.  Seems like there was one a few years back about a BBQ trailer build.  May have been on the old site.  I did a search, but didn't find anything.  If I'm missing the more appropriate thread, fire away with the neg rep.  

Anyhow, I've embarked on a project.  I had my masons build this.  Yesterday, I set the vertical pipes for the counterweight pulley system.  I'm starting on the bulk of the steel install in a few weeks.  Getting the doors laser cut next week.  Totally winging it so far.  Couldn't find anything close to drawings or plans online, but it's basically a single fire box + main cooking chamber (both on counter-weighted pulleys), and vertical chamber.  I'll post more pics as it comes together.  Fire away with comments or criticism.   

Cool project.

 

Here is the smoker thread.

 

[Atxracer 797]

Weirdest thing just happened.  Became part of a Wagyu beef club attached to a winery I love.  They delivered a brisket which I was pumped about. To my dismay, when it arrived it was less than 6 pounds and just the flat side.  Trimmed up a little fat and cheated and put on the green egg since it wasn’t worth firing the smoker up.  Used pecan and apple at 225 to 250, it was at 195 in 3 1/2 hours. Weird.  It also blew up and went from a couple inches thick pre-cook to almost 6 inches afterward.  Also weird.  Let it rest and carved it.  It wasn’t dry af or chewy but just not a lot of flavor. 
 

I would think the flavor is the lack of time but wanted some thoughts.  Also, any clue why it blew up from 2-6 inches?  Or, is it just the type of beef since it doesn’t have a ton of fat?

should have taken pics but pretty sure it will show up on the steel shank thread as chopped beef shortly.