44 Man Hour Brisket? Another AF Thread

TonyT · May 10, 2015

Was reading an Aaron Franklin interview where he was giving some interesting stats, including 1800/2200lbs of meat he sells is brisket and his briskets are running at a 68% food cost. Something I couldn't quite understand is when he said it takes 44 man hours per brisket, from trimming to just before service (serving time not included). Maybe you guys can help me understand what he means. I'm just taking a guess with times (really have no idea):

~13-18 hour cook, ~7-9 hour rest, 1 hour prep/coming to room temp, receiving (?), cleaning up (?), burning down the wood (?), other (?)

Is the remaining difference just having more than one person manning the pits/prepping at a time?

http://andrewzimmern.com/2015/04/21/5-questions-aaron-franklin/

Coat · May 10, 2015

I think he probably counts his slicer as well, bc he really emphasizes the importance of that role.

smoke ninja · May 10, 2015

He must be counting the processing of the steer. Sounds a bit padded to me

TonyT · May 10, 2015

Coat said:
I think he probably counts his slicer as well, bc he really emphasizes the importance of that role.

He said somewhere else that it doesn't include any of the service. So I'm guessing it's from burning down the wood, to when it comes out of the warmer? :noidea:

Coat · May 10, 2015

TonyT said:
He said somewhere else that it doesn't include any of the service. So I'm guessing it's from burning down the wood, to when it comes out of the warmer? :noidea:

Crazy. In that case what you mentioned ab multiple folks has to be the explanation. Actually come to think of it, i don't know why anyone would use the term "man hours" unless they're factoring in multiple folks. And there's no way that is "per brisket." It has to be per batch of briskets. Otherwise that's 500 dollars invested in each brisket lol

Gerrit_Boys · May 10, 2015

Man hours. 2 guys working for 22 hours is 44 man hours. 4 guys for 11 hours is 44 man hours. Not sure how it rolls together but I see how hours can add up.

scaramoche · May 10, 2015

It sounds like he is including total time not just active time. Recieving, storage, trimming, mixing spice, seasoning are all active times. Once it's in the smoker your no longer actively working on it and that is added to total time. Checking on it might add a couple minutes to active but really your either not working on it or doing something else. Plus you can't add all personnel working in the store as either total or active just the ones who add to the active time. So yeah, the time is padded somewhat.

Clay-b-que · May 10, 2015

Man, Aaron should get on this forum! He is a god around here. I have no idea what he is referencing but a few of the above posts seem to be on point.

Actually I think bludawg is Aaron in disguise....hmmmmm

TonyT · May 10, 2015

Clay-b-que said:
Man, Aaron should get on this forum! He is a god around here. I have no idea what he is referencing but a few of the above posts seem to be on point.

Actually I think bludawg is Aaron in disguise....hmmmmm

I think you just started a brethren conspiracy. Aaron, aka bludawg is really cooking his briskets in 5 hours and trying to throw us off with all this 13-18 hour +9 hour rest talk

snooter2tooter · May 10, 2015

TonyT said:
I think you just started a brethren conspiracy. Aaron, aka bludawg is really cooking his briskets in 5 hours and trying to throw us off with all this 13-18 hour +9 hour rest talk

Yea, I tend to agree. I see a tv interview here or an article there and every time its different. I was talking to him once and someone asked for his recipe. I watched him write it done in person.

Rub: salt and peppper
M.O.P.: cook at 275 until done

Not that I blame him for it though. It would be legendary bbq without the mystery.

Clay-b-que · May 10, 2015

TonyT said:
I think you just started a brethren conspiracy. Aaron, aka bludawg is really cooking his briskets in 5 hours and trying to throw us off with all this 13-18 hour +9 hour rest talk

Exactly! You never give away your secrets only deter others from them! Bludawgs secret is revealed. But damn....his sauce is so good....had it today on a pulled pork Sammy. Oh wait I think that is a deterrent as well :crazy:

pjtexas1 · May 10, 2015

TonyT said:
I think you just started a brethren conspiracy. Aaron, aka bludawg is really cooking his briskets in 5 hours and trying to throw us off with all this 13-18 hour +9 hour rest talk

Blu is within 45 minutes of me. I pass thru Jonesboro a few times a year. I can get to the bottom of this.:heh:

Brew-Bq · May 11, 2015

I would also guess he was speaking in terms of per batch of briskets. Couple guys trimming and prepping and some overlap on manning the pits on an 18 hour smoke or whatever he does plus the other stuff. Then that number starts to make sense. Remember thats not from the book just an interview so he probably said per brisket without considering it too much.

jasonjax · May 11, 2015

You guys misunderstood what he was saying. The average man has to work 44 hours to afford his brisket.

1MoreFord · May 11, 2015

It's multiple people who work toward the finished product.

1 man working one hour is 1 man hour. 2 man hours can be one man working 2 hours or 2 men each working one hour.

ynotfehc · May 12, 2015

He typically says he cooks his briskets an average of 14hrs. How long to trim a brisket, 10 min? 1800lbs of brisket is about 120 briskets, so 20hrs. Add on seasoning and wrapping 120 briskets, and you are probably pretty close to 44hrs.

44 Man Hour Brisket? Another AF Thread

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