quote:

Originally posted by Paul K:
....I recommend you try a traditional process such as this or a high heat method like this.

Paul

I think I'll safely assume that this is THE Paul K - and just the man to answer my brisket dilemma.

I smoked a 14 pounder over the weekend on my WSM using one of the recipes in your book. I measured the temp in the flat for the whole cook, flipped it at 7 hours, then again 3.5 hours later, then pulled it at 15 hours total with the thermometer reading 185. There was water in the water pan the whole time. Temp was kept rock steady at 230 for the entire cook. The flat turned out dry and a bit disappointing. The point was incredible - juicy, tender, just wonderful - but the flat was a virtual desert.

This was a brisket that I had in the freezer for a few months then thawed in the fridge for a couple of weeks right in the cryobag. Perhaps using a previously frozen brisket was the problem? I know you are a huge opponent of foiling, but without some kind of braising step in the process, I'm a loss on how to get a juicy flat. I'm seriously thinking of a foil step sometime in the process to get this, but surely there is a way to do this without resorting to foil? Thanks for your help.

Hate to burst your bubble, but The Baron he's not. Unless you had another THE Paul K in mind.

My mistake. Seemed like a sure bet considering the subject matter and the name. I'll be looking into foil and a high heat cook for the next one I suppose. Thanks for the correction.

Prosit!

I think the easiest way to tell is that one Paul K gives his brisket advice away for free; the other does not.

I just ordered my 18 inch smoker today off the site with Amazon. I'm so psyched up to smoke.

My brisket question is...what is a Brisket? I've never seen one. I've heard of them but in all my life I've never seen any meat at the store that is labeled "Brisket." does it go by another name? Is it a roast?

Brisket Selection & Preparation

Thanks for the link, Doug, This site is huge, I didn't realize this section of the site existed, I've been reading for over an hour. Also didn't realize one of my favorites, Corned Beef is Brisket. I went to Frys (Kroger's) and Safeway today, no Brisket. I guess it needs to be found in a butcher's. maybe CostCo?? Sounds awesome. Butts were on sale but no room in the freezer, my 18 incher will not be here for maybe 10 days or so. Lots of time to prepare....

Supermarkets more often than not tend to sell what are termed "trimmed flats"-- only a portion of the whole brisket, and with most of the fat cap removed. For BBQ, we like whole or "packers", or untrimmed flats in cryovac with the fat cap intact. Yes, try a Sam's, BJ's, or Costco if you have access.

For what it's worth, unless you are in an area where there is huge demand for brisket all year round, I have found that the availability of packers is seasonal. Here in Knoxville, I usually find them in mid summer, then just as quickly, they vanish, only to be replaced by these puny little trimmed flats. All this in saying, keep your eyes open for the packers, they will show up eventually, and then snag a few when you see them and stash them in the freezer.

On a follow up note, I made some chili with my bone dry flat leftovers - it was awesome. Probably the best use of dry brisket that would be almost inedible otherwise. live and learn....

Prosit!

I get all my packers at Super Wal Mart. Price was $1.78lb when I bought the last one. They carry them year round here in PA. HTH

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan S:
I get all my packers at Super Wal Mart. Price was $1.78lb when I bought the last one. They carry them year round here in PA. HTH

Can I place my order for 1 now or when you head to Wal Mart?

quote:

Originally posted by Evan T:

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan S:
I get all my packers at Super Wal Mart. Price was $1.78lb when I bought the last one. They carry them year round here in PA. HTH

Can I place my order for 1 now or when you head to Wal Mart?

Might head over for some on Friday night. You can ride along if you want too Bud. Email me or call me.

I just used this recipe last Saturday and the brisket came out great. It was 13 lb untrimmed. It cooked for about 14 hours and came out fork tender and moist.

I served it with some cooked red cabbage. It was so beautiful I almost cried.