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First high heat brisket cook - Success!


 

Teddy J.

TVWBB Pro
After a few months of owning the WSM I've finally got the courage to fire it up with a brisket. Most regard the brisket as the number one way to rate a BBQ'er as it has such a myth of being a challenging piece of meat to cook. With that in mind, I wanted to test my skills. I've turned out phenomenal ribs, butts, fatties, etc - all with the help the site. Not too bad for someone who knew nothing about BBQ'ing before stumbling upon this site.

After immense reading on the board, I decided to go the high heat route, something I've yet to do with any other cut of meat. I was looking for a whole packer, but Publix and Wally World wanted 3.99/lb, which I didn't want to pay, especially not knowing how it would turn out.

What to do? Well, I'll be honest for a minute and tell you I'd much rather by in a bigger city than Lakeland, FL, but if it's got one thing going for it, it's a great meat market in nearby Plant City called Felton's. Went early and got ahold of a ~12# Choice packer for 1.99/lb (not even on sale).

Here is the untrimmed pic.
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2:15 into the cook with 350 steady lid temp, took her out to foil.
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Back on she goes, temp steady at 375 for about 20 minutes, but start to drop. I didn't have any fancy modifications to do the ol' door prop, so I improvise.
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Steady as she goes until I head inside, grab a cold beverage and start this post until I forget about the door prop about 10 minutes later. Go outside and temp is maxed out on the therm (400+). Lift the lid, get them lowered immediately, hopefully no harm done. We shall see.

Will keep you updated.
 
Don't cook till temp, cook till tender? Thankfully all those previous butts I've cooked have enlightened me to what this means.

Just probed the packer with my TruTemp digi instant read to check for tenderness, feels like butter in about 5 various spots - so off the cooker she goes to rest for 30 min or so. I was too busy checking for tenderness that I didn't even look at the temp reading. Just checked it now and seems ~190 to ~205 in various spots. Right on the money she seems.

I'll tell you what, I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I probed the meat. This tender at what total cook time? 16 minutes shy of 4 hours. This can't be right I'm thinking.

We'll all see here in just a bit when I crack her open and slice. Is 30 min rest time long enough to redistribute the juices?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mitch Josey:
Is 30 min rest time long enough to redistribute the juices? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You'll be fine with 30 mins. That is about the shortest rest I will do. I've got a high heat brisket cooking today also. I plan to rest it for an hour before slicing.
 
They'll redistribute in 20-30. I almost never go longer. I just tent with foil to avoid overheating.
 
Dear Weber, thank you for creating the WSM. I never thought something so easy could make me look so good.

Brisket is awesome. I've never had it at restaurants, so nothing to compare, but geez, hello gourmet roast beef.

Tender, juicy, flavorful - all quicker than I can make ribs. Will update later today/tonight with full review and pictures.

For now, time to eat as my fiance shakes her head in wonder why I'd rather be posting on here than eating the food we just cooked.

Cheers!
 
Here are the completed pics.

- Coming out of the foil. Boy do these packers let some juice out.
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- Removing the point from the flat in what I 'thought' was the right place.
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After slicing it appeared to be correct, as there is definitely a difference in the tenderness of meat between the point and flat. But I think I was a little off in the point separation as the farther I got the point end of the flat, there was a seam of fat in the slices.

- Middle of the flat
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- Slices
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Overall, what an easy cook. When I unwrapped the brisket from the foil after resting, I was a bit disappointed to see such a mushy bark (as expected), but the tenderness and juiciness far outweighed it.

For those like me who were a little bit intimidated by doing a whole packer, let this be a testament to the ease of high heat brisket.
 
Looks outstanding! You 'da man! You will rarely eat out for BBQ again, most every joint just cannot make it as good as you can.
 
Thanks for all the kind words fellas. After my first batch of ribs, I knew I could never get BBQ at restaurants again.

I was forced to eat at Sonny's on one afternoon (not by choice), and the pulled pork made me want to cry, and I used to love eating it at one point pre-WSM.

On any note, any advice on cutting the point from the flat?
 
Let me ask you guys this - If I'm going to hold and eat this over a few days time, should I leave the unused portion whole and slice as needed?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mitch Josey:
If I'm going to hold and eat this over a few days time, should I leave the unused portion whole and slice as needed? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Mitch, That's how I do it. My reason is less chance of it drying out on you. JMO Plus you can slice it super thin once cold for a Brisket, Hellmann's, Horseradish, and Cheese sandwich.
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