Select vs. Choice Brisket

bbqanthony · 06-14-2008, 10:51 AM

Do you notice much of a difference between Choice vs. Select brisket?

I've having a hard time finding Choice brisket in my area at a reasonable price, but can find Select packers at the local Smart and Final for $1.89/lb.

I can find Choice (flats only), but at $5.99/lb. Ouch!

I've not yet cooked a Select grade brisket, so was looking for input on Select vs. Choice.

Thanks.

BBQAnthony

jtfisher63 · 06-14-2008, 10:54 AM

I really haven't noticed a difference between the two. I will buy choice over select if it's available, but it's not a huge difference to me. Some of the best brisket I've cooked was select. I'd say cook a select brisket or two, take pictures, and then let us know what you think!

MilitantSquatter · 06-14-2008, 11:00 AM

For $1.89/lb it's worth buying the select once and testing it out for yourself.

There's some good discussion in this older thread too.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...=select+choice

Vince RnQ · 06-14-2008, 11:43 AM

My local brisket connection always has choice briskets in stock and their regular price is $1.99/lb. every day of the week. Even on Sunday!

Bigmista · 06-14-2008, 09:43 PM

I cook and have won with select brisket. Not a noticeable difference.

ThomEmery · 06-14-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmista

I cook and have won with select brisket. Not a noticeable difference.

It can be done fer sure

CajunSmoker · 06-14-2008, 10:03 PM

It's my understanding that briskets aren't judged when deciding on prime, choice or select grades. Entire beef carcasses are judged. It doesn't always translate that every cut is better just because of the higher grade. I look at the brisket and make my call and the grade is just one factor.

ThomEmery · 06-14-2008, 10:22 PM

Yep That would be correct

Dale P · 06-15-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunSmoker

It's my understanding that briskets aren't judged when deciding on prime, choice or select grades. Entire beef carcasses are judged. It doesn't always translate that every cut is better just because of the higher grade. I look at the brisket and make my call and the grade is just one factor.

That is the best explanation on this subject I have ever read.

I look for choice or prime myself, but if select looks good, I buy it.

gpalasz · 06-15-2008, 09:57 AM

I have noticed a big difference. I notice a lot more juices and just a better overall end product. I just buy CAB now and thats all I cook for brisky. Plus at $1.85/lb for whole packers...cant beat it.

MattCom · 06-15-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunSmoker

It's my understanding that briskets aren't judged when deciding on prime, choice or select grades. Entire beef carcasses are judged. It doesn't always translate that every cut is better just because of the higher grade. I look at the brisket and make my call and the grade is just one factor.

You learn something everyday here. Thanks!

FatDaddy · 06-15-2008, 10:39 AM

I've been wondering this myself. I normally only cook Choice because i cant find prime and have never had any luck with select. The last select brisket i got looked great. alot of meat in the flat although evidently not alot of marbling. I trimmed to a little over 1/4" of fat, and rubbed it down. foiled at 165* as usual and pulled off about 195* or so. The flat was dry as could be. THe flat underneat the point was still moist and juicy. SO im owning it up to it just being the brisket. It will be made into a big pot of chili.

ZILLA · 06-15-2008, 11:56 AM

All of our comp briskets that placed in the top 3 were choice or prime. I prefer choice and I can also get choice packers cheaper than select anyway. Costco $1.48 lb. A large proportion of cooks that I know use choice or better on the circuit. We've experimented with select with no results worth mentioning.

OlyQ · 06-15-2008, 12:05 PM

Great topic.

I am in the same boat as bbqanthony. I can get packer select for 1.30 a pound but anything else like Choice or Cab is 5.99 a pound and thats for a flat.

I dont cook brisket very much though, And I guess for 1.30 a pound its worth it to buy and cook. I still have alot of learing on the brisket before I can add it to my list of great Q.

bbqanthony · 06-15-2008, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the replies. Pricing and Choice packers obviously varies widely by region, with the Texas and Oklahoma folks having the best options.

I'm looking into some local meat wholesalers in my area to see if they will sell Choice packers to me...at a decent price.

BBQAnthony

06-14-2008, 10:51 AM	#1
bbqanthony Got Wood. Join Date: 05-01-08 Location: SF Bay Area	Select vs. Choice Brisket Do you notice much of a difference between Choice vs. Select brisket? I've having a hard time finding Choice brisket in my area at a reasonable price, but can find Select packers at the local Smart and Final for $1.89/lb. I can find Choice (flats only), but at $5.99/lb. Ouch! I've not yet cooked a Select grade brisket, so was looking for input on Select vs. Choice. Thanks. BBQAnthony

06-14-2008, 10:54 AM	#2
jtfisher63 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-23-07 Location: Modesto, CA	I really haven't noticed a difference between the two. I will buy choice over select if it's available, but it's not a huge difference to me. Some of the best brisket I've cooked was select. I'd say cook a select brisket or two, take pictures, and then let us know what you think! __________________ -Jason The Smokepranos Competition BBQ Team Custom 24" x 72" trailered offset Large Big Green Egg Stumps clone WSM Char-something Gasser Modesto, CA

06-14-2008, 11:00 AM	#3
MilitantSquatter Moderator Join Date: 09-17-05 Location: Mooresville, NC	For $1.89/lb it's worth buying the select once and testing it out for yourself. There's some good discussion in this older thread too. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...=select+choice __________________ XL BGE (#2) & Performer Platinum Former owner: Jambo Backyard, Klose BYC, Lonestar Vertical offset w/ Insulated Firebox, Medium Spicewine, Pitts & Spitts, XL BGE (#1) & (2) Medium BGE's, 22" WSM & (2) 18" WSM's, 18" & 22" Weber Kettles

06-14-2008, 11:43 AM	#4
Vince RnQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-09-07 Location: Phoenix, AZ	My local brisket connection always has choice briskets in stock and their regular price is $1.99/lb. every day of the week. Even on Sunday! __________________ Rhythm 'n QUE Our Website On Facebook A Few Great Moments in RnQ History 1st Place Chicken at The Jack 2012 GC at the Inaguaral Sam's Club Invitational The Double Grand Championship

06-14-2008, 09:43 PM	#5
Bigmista somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-24-04 Location: Long Beach, CA	I cook and have won with select brisket. Not a noticeable difference. __________________ Wait! Bigmista wrote a cookbook? Rec Tec RT-700 Bull Pitmaker Vault Remembering Scott

06-14-2008, 10:03 PM	#7
CajunSmoker is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-06-07 Location: Rolling down the river between St Louis and New Orleans	It's my understanding that briskets aren't judged when deciding on prime, choice or select grades. Entire beef carcasses are judged. It doesn't always translate that every cut is better just because of the higher grade. I look at the brisket and make my call and the grade is just one factor. __________________ Rodger How y'all are? I'm glad you got to see me I guarontee Justin Wilson 4/24/1914 - 09/05/2001 CAJUN QUE KREWE Proud ARKLAFO KCBS member & CBJ#24398 Twin Ugly Drum Smokers Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe Brinkman Gourmet ECB with super chicken mods Weber OTS kettle

06-14-2008, 10:22 PM	#8
ThomEmery Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-20-05 Location: Indio Ca.	Yep That would be correct __________________ Catering, Contests, and Community Service Team What Wood Jesus Que? Www.bbqthom.com

06-15-2008, 09:57 AM	#10
gpalasz is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-01-07 Location: Okiehoma	I have noticed a big difference. I notice a lot more juices and just a better overall end product. I just buy CAB now and thats all I cook for brisky. Plus at $1.85/lb for whole packers...cant beat it. __________________ [COLOR=#ff0000][COLOR=black][I]Team[/I] [B]Diamondback Q-[/B]STUMPS SW223 :eusa_clap[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000][B]RED[/B] [/COLOR][COLOR=black]1999 [/COLOR]Performer Total Restore Kettle 22.5 [COLOR=silver][B]OTS[/B][/COLOR] Kettle 22.5 [COLOR=blue][B]BLUE[/B][/COLOR] OTG/W rotiss Ultra Fast [COLOR=orange][B]Orange[/B][/COLOR] Thermapen CCW SP 101 357 125g

06-15-2008, 10:39 AM	#12
FatDaddy is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-04-06 Location: Wichita Falls, Tx	I've been wondering this myself. I normally only cook Choice because i cant find prime and have never had any luck with select. The last select brisket i got looked great. alot of meat in the flat although evidently not alot of marbling. I trimmed to a little over 1/4" of fat, and rubbed it down. foiled at 165* as usual and pulled off about 195* or so. The flat was dry as could be. THe flat underneat the point was still moist and juicy. SO im owning it up to it just being the brisket. It will be made into a big pot of chili. __________________ HALF DIAMOND RANCH BBQ Home made 5' reverse flow smoker Lg BGE WSM 18.5 WSM 22.5 Weber Kettle 22 1/2" silver series Weber Copper Smokey Joe Gold 14.5" GPS trackable RED super fast thermopen http://www.facebook.com/jtempleton2

06-15-2008, 11:56 AM	#13
ZILLA is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 12-01-05 Location: Universal City, Texas	All of our comp briskets that placed in the top 3 were choice or prime. I prefer choice and I can also get choice packers cheaper than select anyway. Costco $1.48 lb. A large proportion of cooks that I know use choice or better on the circuit. We've experimented with select with no results worth mentioning.

06-15-2008, 12:05 PM	#14
OlyQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-02-08 Location: oly wa	Great topic. I am in the same boat as bbqanthony. I can get packer select for 1.30 a pound but anything else like Choice or Cab is 5.99 a pound and thats for a flat. I dont cook brisket very much though, And I guess for 1.30 a pound its worth it to buy and cook. I still have alot of learing on the brisket before I can add it to my list of great Q.

06-15-2008, 01:07 PM	#15
bbqanthony Got Wood. Join Date: 05-01-08 Location: SF Bay Area	Thanks for the replies. Pricing and Choice packers obviously varies widely by region, with the Texas and Oklahoma folks having the best options. I'm looking into some local meat wholesalers in my area to see if they will sell Choice packers to me...at a decent price. BBQAnthony

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