How long of a snake for my first brisket?

[Waxteeth]

I just picked up a 22" Premium and for my first go I'm going to do a brisket.

I'm planning on using one from Costco and looking at them they are VERY well trimmed up and not very big at all. I'm guessing they were under 10lbs.

Anyhow my plan after reading here is to do a 2x2 stack snake at least 20 long + some start up coals. Without ever having done a snake I've got no idea how long it will go and I'm not sure if you can simply add more coals to the front end and twist the grate if it looks like I'll run out or if just doing a half chimney and adding them via the flip up door is the way to go.

What do you guys think is a good size to go with 20+?? Also I want to avoid using tin foil so I'm reading that will add time.

[Travis]

I'm guessing you mean you're making a 20" snake. Not sure if measurements but for a brisket, I'd have that snake going around the entire bowl, with just enough space left to have your lit coals not touch the end. Plan on refueling your snake.. take notes and enjoy!


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[Waxteeth]

I read some instructions that said lay out 20 coals, 20 more right beside them, then another layer on top.

But....your idea sounds like it's what I should do for sure because I'll learn what a full ring (almost full) will do.

[SMOKE FREAK]

And if the beef is done before the coals run out then close the vents...No problem...

[1buckie]

Yeah, just go almost all the way round.....then add or just shut down if it makes it thru on the first batch of coals.....
Pile up two, then one or two on that & wood chunks....adjust the bottom vents to maybe half open, top all open for free exhaust so you don't choke the fire......
Rotate the meat hunk a few times to keep it off the burn area if needed......ribs  (long narrower piece)  work generally the same way.........

[Waxteeth]

Here is what I learned so far on my first attempt.

My snake easily burned for 8 hours and held ridiculously close to 225 the entire time.
However my brisket stalked at 155 and it was obvious I need more fuel to get this done so I started a 1/2 chimney and tossed it all in one corner. I'm pretty confident this will work to finish things out.

[mhiszem]

So how did it turn out?

[Waxteeth]

So how did it turn out?

It was very good for my first attempt I think. The smoke flavor is very good even if the ring isn't super deep. I think it's just about exactly what I'd do again.

The tenderness is good but I feel that next time I'll start sooner because I did raise temps towards the end and feel like if I hadn't it would have been better but I was hungry [emoji5]

The bark was pretty much what I'd do again too...it was better than I was prepared for as a first go.



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[MacEggs]

WOW!!  ^^^^ That looks fantastic ^^^^   

You cannot go wrong with the advice above, especially buckie's … I think he does the snake blindfolded … Can't confirm that …

My first kettle-cooked brisket went like this …. I got lucky, too ….

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/brisket-made-easy-with-a-weber-kettle/

I have since cooked 2-3 brisket (separately) on that very same kettle with great results.

Keep at it!

[WNC]

Man that looks great, the bark looks incredible!


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[mhiszem]

That looks so delicious! Great job!


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