Christmas Dinner Advice Needed – Making Brisket in December

[Andy Linn]

There's nothing WSM related you can think of that I've not already written about on The Virtual Weber Bullet over the past 25 years, including various wind breaks and enclosures.

Cooking In The Wind, Rain & Cold - The Virtual Weber Bullet

Cold weather operating tips for the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, including the use of wind screens and enclosures, plus tips on cooking in the rain.

www.virtualweberbullet.com

The unhinged barrel idea in that link is genius imo. I always cut the bottom out of my burn barrels anyway...

 

[MartinB]

Yep, I've cooked the 20 lb brisket and didn't have much trouble.

I draped it over a curved Weber rib rack because that rib rack doesn't block the heat from getting to any part of the underside.

I will say it's about the biggest I cared to go to on wsm 18

Im still eyeballin other smokers for their ease and handling ribs and larger pieces of meat.

 

[AndyK]

Those folding panels look great.
I used to build welding hooches in a prior life .

I like the idea of a brisket for Christmas.
We had a White Christmas last year so doing a brisket in the snow might be a learning experienc.

 

[Chris in Louisiana]

We hosted Christmas one year with both families coming for brisket.

The beautiful December weather went wIndy like I’d never seen on Christmas Eve night. Of course.

We broke out every card table, lawn chair, etc. (anchored with firewood) to fashion wind breaks on all sides; the wind shifted direction every few minutes. Cursing was heard.

It‘s funny now, but it was a nightmare then. Brisket turned out great, but just took a little extra time.

Always start the cook early when company is coming. Brisket will hold hot as heck in an ice chest for hours. And that time will do it some good as well.

 

[RichPB (richlife)]

@BFletcher has it right. I'm going to do only a 13 pounder but in my 14.5. I'm also planning to use the high heat (Cooking Topics) which has worked for me before. My sister is coming to help out and wants to see that. So lots of twists for me with daughter and grandsons expecting only the best.

Your time constraint seems pretty tight to me for 20 pounds -- 8am to 7pm, 11 hours? Did you mean 8pm the evening before?

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

I was out voted for a brisket for Christmas so, maybe New Year’s Day?

 

[MikeCantell]

Steaks for Christmas, I am thinking brisket for Newyear's, I am off all that week to recuperate lol , A large stainless bowl upside down can help shrink a large brisket to fit till it gets small enough to fit.

 

[John Neuser]

Ben, care to share how your Christmas brisket cook worked out? Never did a long cook in winter so I'm very curious. Thanks.

 

[BenM]

It came out amazing. It was probably the best brisket I ever made.

1. Total Cook Time: 15 hours
2. Started at 225 for 12 hours, never opened the lid
3. Bumped the temp to 250 and cooked for an additional 90 minutes
4. IT was hovering around 167-170, so I wrapped it
5. Cooked for an additional 90 minutes
6. IT was at 200-203.
7. Pulled, wrapped in a blanket, and let it rest (indoors) for 3 hours in my cooler

Here is a look at the final product

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

GOOD JOB! I’m a firm believer in the “don’t peek” school of cookery on those. Leave it alone, get the sleep you need. It makes the subsequent party that much more pleasant.

 

[John Neuser]

It came out amazing. It was probably the best brisket I ever made.

1. Total Cook Time: 15 hours
2. Started at 225 for 12 hours, never opened the lid
3. Bumped the temp to 250 and cooked for an additional 90 minutes
4. IT was hovering around 167-170, so I wrapped it
5. Cooked for an additional 90 minutes
6. IT was at 200-203.
7. Pulled, wrapped in a blanket, and let it rest (indoors) for 3 hours in my cooler

Here is a look at the final product

Thanks Ben. Looks great. BTW, what was your coldest outside temp during the cook? Any wind?

 

[BenM]

Thanks Ben. Looks great. BTW, what was your coldest outside temp during the cook? Any wind?

The temp was 17 and with the wind it was zero. The wind was clocked at 20 mph