Based on my cooking experience since joining KCBS, I agree 110% @DarrenC. While all four meats can vary a little from week to week, I think that briskets are the one that can have the widest swing - assuming that other factors are the same, i.e,; lbs., cooking temp, etc.
My local Restaurant Depot is now carrying Black Angus briskets and I'm starting to use those in the hopes that I might get a little more consistency. Haven't been able to spring for Snake River Farms yet ! ! !
BD
This may be slightly off topic but I'm cooking my first brisket on Saturday. What would be your top three do's or dont's? I got one from my job but I'm scared to muck it up.
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1) Separate the point and the flat - you'll get more surface area and bark. You'll cook faster too.
2) There are hotter 'quick cook' methods people talk about. Don't confuse yourself with those right now. Keep it simple and keep it between 225 and 250.
3) Trim the fat cap down to 1/4" or so. You don't need that huge cap and this way it will make carving and plating much more pleasant.
4) Save me the burnt ends
EDITED TO ADD - I'm not going to debate foiling vs not foiling (Texas Crutch). Do what you like but I will say that in my house it's all about the bark, and the bark without the foil is FAR superior to that which has been foiled.
Thanks for the tips but I need those burnt ends!! Lol.
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Unlike Darren, I start off with the flat and point together and separate them during the later stages of the cook. I'm not saying that Darren's wrong, just a different method. Since you're cooking on an 18, though, you would probably want to separate them so that they would fit more easily into your cooking chamber.
As far as doing it on your kettle, of course you can ! ! ! It's just that it might take a little more attention and you will probably need to add fuel once or twice. It takes me about 10-11 hours on a 22" WSM running at 225º.
As far as SRF goes, figure at least a buck & a half for 10 pounder. (I'll stick with my $3 lb. Black Angus!)
Oh, and like Darren said, the burnt ends are the star of the show ! ! !
BD