Bbqin fool
is one Smokin' Farker
I've heard alot about injecting butts and brisket but never actually tried it. How do the judges look at this and does it seem to help with flavor, moistness etc?
Inject or not to inject?
- Thread starter Bbqin fool
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Alexa RnQ
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We always trust our Butcher.
Interesting that you would ask about judges' perceptions on the topic. Here's two instances of judge feedback:
One newly-minted judge was very proud to tell us that they had marked down to a 4 any product that they deemed "had been injected with 'solution' ". Apparently we were not the only team this information was shared with, as the rep was alerted about ninety seconds later and this judge was re-educated.
At another show in a different state, some judges came by our camp Saturday afternoon. While I was processing leftovers from the Cambro, one remarked, "Oh, you don't use Butcher, I can always smell that!" Apparently not.
So, when properly used, the product does enhance moistness -- the flavor is up to you. And judges should evaluate meats as presented, not by their perception of how it might have been prepared.
Interesting that you would ask about judges' perceptions on the topic. Here's two instances of judge feedback:
One newly-minted judge was very proud to tell us that they had marked down to a 4 any product that they deemed "had been injected with 'solution' ". Apparently we were not the only team this information was shared with, as the rep was alerted about ninety seconds later and this judge was re-educated.
At another show in a different state, some judges came by our camp Saturday afternoon. While I was processing leftovers from the Cambro, one remarked, "Oh, you don't use Butcher, I can always smell that!" Apparently not.
So, when properly used, the product does enhance moistness -- the flavor is up to you. And judges should evaluate meats as presented, not by their perception of how it might have been prepared.
W
WhiskeyBentBBQ
Guest
It helps greatly and we always go with Kosmo's products. We have noticed a huge improvement in our scores and finishes over the last 18 months with Kosmo's suite of products. We use them on every category.
I would venture to say that if you aren't injecting Butts and Briskets, you are leaving plenty of points on the judges table.
I would venture to say that if you aren't injecting Butts and Briskets, you are leaving plenty of points on the judges table.
Lake Dogs
Quintessential Chatty Farker
^^^ what they said. They do help with moisture, but aren't required. They do impart additional/different flavors, but this too surely isn't required. We do (inject both) and are very happy with the results, both judged and at home.
Bbqin fool
is one Smokin' Farker
Thank you for the feedback! I'm looking forward to trying injections and I will most definitely post my experiences and results!
Lake Dogs
Quintessential Chatty Farker
For what it's worth, we like and use both butchers and kosmos'. Some recommend mixing them with other things like beef broths, etc. I suggest starting with them straight out of their directions, with water, and let them set up overnight. That's for beef. For pork something as simple as apple juice, perhaps a little worchestershire, and a little of your rub seems to work very good.
Butcher BBQ
is one Smokin' Farker
Lake Dogs is right, use what you like and you will get comfortable with. The end result is you need to still cook it right. Any product on the market can't fix a bad cook.
luckyduk
Full Fledged Farker
I have read on another forum (not going to say but he is a moderator) The topic was MSG
"As a judge I've been feed it a time or twenty, I'm not particularly sensitive to it, but I've had a head ache after chicken turn in's a time or two, and I know it's down to the MSG in the rubs, the worse one in my book is the phosphate overload that some folks put in their pork and brisket, it may improve the taste of some of the sh1t we eat on the day, but it wrecks my guts for the next 2 days.
Due to the phosphate tingle, I'll knock points of entries if I can taste it, there are some naturally occurring phosphates in meat so you do have to be careful.
One judge's opinion.....
"As a judge I've been feed it a time or twenty, I'm not particularly sensitive to it, but I've had a head ache after chicken turn in's a time or two, and I know it's down to the MSG in the rubs, the worse one in my book is the phosphate overload that some folks put in their pork and brisket, it may improve the taste of some of the sh1t we eat on the day, but it wrecks my guts for the next 2 days.
Due to the phosphate tingle, I'll knock points of entries if I can taste it, there are some naturally occurring phosphates in meat so you do have to be careful.
One judge's opinion.....
luckyduk
Full Fledged Farker
fwiw....I also inject briskets and butts....have used the main three (butchers, fab, kosmo's).....some more than others and have not noticed a difference between the three, they all work well in the aspect of moisture enhancement.
Hub
Full Fledged Farker
In cooking, I use injections (I use Butchers but 1/2 strength) primarily for moisture and secondarily for any flavor contribution. As a judge I can usually (but not always) tell if an entry has been injected. An injection is not a requirement, of course, but properly done can significantly help texture by managing moistness.
If you choose to inject (some cooking methods don't need it or don't need as much) be aware of the results you get on both flavor and texture. If the injection overpowers the flavor of the meat, it isn't doing its job.
If you choose to inject (some cooking methods don't need it or don't need as much) be aware of the results you get on both flavor and texture. If the injection overpowers the flavor of the meat, it isn't doing its job.
Bbqin fool
is one Smokin' Farker
Great insight everyone! Thank you so much for your input. I'm really looking forward to trying different injections. Thanks again!
SmokinGuitarPlayer
Full Fledged Farker
I have been working with a food scientist developing a product similar to those mentioned and I can tell you that if you "have a problem" with MSG, you probably should NOT be judging a BBQ Contest!!
You should not be judging if you have food reactions, especially if you react to MSG and phospates. Hyperphosphatemia is very serious.
You certainly should not mark an entry down for an ingredient that you have a reaction to. Actually phosphates have no taste.
I find your posts a little contradictory because in one post you say:
But in your next post you claim....
The reason these injections help retain moisture is because of the phospates they contain.
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Guy, I think the closing quotation mark was lost in Luckyduk's first post. I am pretty sure that the line that you quoted above was still part of the quote from the other forum, not Luckyduk's own words.
luckyduk
Full Fledged Farker
Exactly
I stand corrected....
Kosmo's Q
is one Smokin' Farker
Some judges like injections, and some don't. Trying to figure out which way to fall is the key. We always inject and rely on the fact that they can’t tell if the meat has been injected with our turn-ins. We try to focus on meat moisture and flavor. I suggest try them all and use what works best for you.
Kosmo :thumb:
S
smalls65
Guest
Trust your "Butcher"!!!!! Butchers has been pretty good for us!!! Brisket we use it allmost at full strength, and for pork we use it half strength with Apple Juice...I love it..I wanna try Kosmo's one day, but after our last outing with butchers on our brisky it's gonna be hard to pull us away from using Butchers!!! Injections are not a necessity, but in my opinion I wouldn't try going at it without one...The benefits of using them is just too great to pass up in my opinion!!! But hey, I'm just a young-gun to the sport, so my opninion doesn't matter too much!!! LOL LOL LOL :thumb:
Jacked UP BBQ
Babbling Farker
FAB is a great injection, but there are others out there as well that other use and do well with.
