Brining thighs, how long?

Wager · 11-27-2012, 12:01 PM

For those that brine your thighs for competition, how long do you leave them in the brine? I'm use to doing a whole bird for 12 + hours but as small as the thighs are how long does it take?

Also, where do you find the biggest benefit from brining, tenderness, or taste, or both? I would like to try and get my tenderness scores up somehow and was hoping this might be one route that will help.

Lance Miller · 11-27-2012, 12:35 PM

1 to 1.5 hour tops. Anything longer and you will taste the salt. Brining is gift from the Gods. Your thighs will be juicy and flavorful. I have started using Oakridge Game Changer brine instead of making my own and got a walk in our last comp compared to always being middle of the pack. Brine those thighs!

glenntm · 11-27-2012, 12:42 PM

We use the Game Changer from Oakridge. 4-5 hours on brine time.

Wager · 11-27-2012, 02:10 PM

Thanks guys. looks like I will be ordering some Game Changer to try out.

Do you find that it helps your tenderness scores at all?

Smokin Mike · 11-27-2012, 04:38 PM

Smoke on Wheels has a great chicken marinade, you got to try it.

fnbish · 11-27-2012, 04:54 PM

I believe it really depends on the contents of the brine, especially salt. Ive been going up to 6 hrs with good results.

BKBBQ · 11-27-2012, 07:06 PM

oak ridge game changer two hours. Add some rub to it also.

code3rrt · 11-27-2012, 07:24 PM

For the single pieces I usaully brine for 1-3 hours depending on the size of the pieces, whole chickens 8-12 hours, again depending on size.
I think it improves the flavor, juiciness and the tenderness. I've heard from some that they felt that brining takes away from the true chicken flavor, but I just use the simple basic brine, and don't feel that I get those results.

bam · 11-27-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnbish

I believe it really depends on the contents of the brine, especially salt. Ive been going up to 6 hrs with good results.

I agree have gone 12 hrs on a watered down brine.

Pickin' Porkers · 11-27-2012, 10:43 PM

WELL, since we are are known for not keeping any secrets I'll say honestly....we brine thighs for 12 hrs....put them on brine at 8 PM and off at 8 AM....

4 cups water
1/4 C salt
1/4 C sugar
1/8 C Buttrub

We are not #1 in KCBS chicken this year but if you do a thorough review of our results you will see that we do not do too bad. The latter part of the year is a result of some sauce tweaks that went bad, and that will change.... but we assure you, tenderness cores do not suffer averaging 8.2......

Crash · 11-28-2012, 02:42 AM

We use our own brine, soak for almost exactly 4 hours and then rinse, rub and cook. It's worked for us, but everyone has a different approach.

kcmike · 11-28-2012, 05:49 PM

Brine time definitely depends on the concentration of the brine, and to a lesser degree, the size of the item(s) being brined. Thighs in Game Changer at full strength, 1.5-2 hours. Thighs in Game Changer at half strength, anywhere from 4 hours all the way up to 12.

southernstyle · 11-28-2012, 07:35 PM

Cant go wrong with game changer. I leave mine for 5 hrs. The moisture is awesome

HookedonSmoke · 11-29-2012, 08:32 AM

When making a brine is it best to use kosher salt or iodized table salt?

Uncle Buds BBQ · 11-29-2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HookedonSmoke

When making a brine is it best to use kosher salt or iodized table salt?

Here is some great info...
http://www.dipee.info/pdf/OnlineResearch/2.pdf

11-27-2012, 12:35 PM	#2
Lance Miller Got Wood. Join Date: 02-15-12 Location: Corona, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	1 to 1.5 hour tops. Anything longer and you will taste the salt. Brining is gift from the Gods. Your thighs will be juicy and flavorful. I have started using Oakridge Game Changer brine instead of making my own and got a walk in our last comp compared to always being middle of the pack. Brine those thighs! __________________ www.PatioPitmasters.com

11-27-2012, 12:42 PM	#3
glenntm On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-13-10 Location: Chandler, AZ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We use the Game Changer from Oakridge. 4-5 hours on brine time. __________________ I.A.B. 30 BBQ Chandler, AZ

11-27-2012, 04:38 PM	#5
Smokin Mike is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-06-07 Location: Kansas City Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Smoke on Wheels has a great chicken marinade, you got to try it. __________________ Disco Pigs competition team Sponsored by Oakridge BBQ Yoder 640 Yoder 1320 UDS (Snail barrel) FEC-100 X2 Traeger 124 (older american made model) WSM, one touch kettle gasser from costco, KCBS CBJ

11-27-2012, 04:54 PM	#6
fnbish is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-10-11 Location: Buford, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I believe it really depends on the contents of the brine, especially salt. Ive been going up to 6 hrs with good results. __________________ -Jason 22.5 WSM Backwoods G2 Party Backwoods G2 Chubby Big Green Egg XL Weber 18.5 Kettle "Tenacious Q" Competition Team Follow Tenacious Q on Facebook!! KCBS CBJ

11-27-2012, 07:24 PM	#8
code3rrt is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-09-12 Location: Spokane Valley, Washington Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	For the single pieces I usaully brine for 1-3 hours depending on the size of the pieces, whole chickens 8-12 hours, again depending on size. I think it improves the flavor, juiciness and the tenderness. I've heard from some that they felt that brining takes away from the true chicken flavor, but I just use the simple basic brine, and don't feel that I get those results. __________________ KC Weber Performer with rotisserie ring, 22.5OTS, Maverick 732, Weber Smokey Joe,PBC Smokenator/Hoovergrill, variety of microbrews, Gin and tonic, variety of lighters.

11-27-2012, 12:01 PM	#1
Wager On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-20-08 Location: Charlotte, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Brining thighs, how long? For those that brine your thighs for competition, how long do you leave them in the brine? I'm use to doing a whole bird for 12 + hours but as small as the thighs are how long does it take? Also, where do you find the biggest benefit from brining, tenderness, or taste, or both? I would like to try and get my tenderness scores up somehow and was hoping this might be one route that will help. Last edited by Wager; 11-27-2012 at 02:09 PM..

11-27-2012, 02:10 PM	#4
Wager On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-20-08 Location: Charlotte, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks guys. looks like I will be ordering some Game Changer to try out. Do you find that it helps your tenderness scores at all?

11-27-2012, 07:06 PM	#7
BKBBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 12-17-10 Location: mccormick sc Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	oak ridge game changer two hours. Add some rub to it also.

11-27-2012, 10:43 PM	#10
Pickin' Porkers Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-15-07 Location: Clemmons, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WELL, since we are are known for not keeping any secrets I'll say honestly....we brine thighs for 12 hrs....put them on brine at 8 PM and off at 8 AM.... 4 cups water 1/4 C salt 1/4 C sugar 1/8 C Buttrub We are not #1 in KCBS chicken this year but if you do a thorough review of our results you will see that we do not do too bad. The latter part of the year is a result of some sauce tweaks that went bad, and that will change.... but we assure you, tenderness cores do not suffer averaging 8.2......

11-28-2012, 02:42 AM	#11
Crash is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-29-08 Location: Kailua, HI (Oahu) Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We use our own brine, soak for almost exactly 4 hours and then rinse, rub and cook. It's worked for us, but everyone has a different approach. __________________ Crash - HIBarbeque.com

11-28-2012, 05:49 PM	#12
kcmike is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-09-11 Location: Kearney, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Brine time definitely depends on the concentration of the brine, and to a lesser degree, the size of the item(s) being brined. Thighs in Game Changer at full strength, 1.5-2 hours. Thighs in Game Changer at half strength, anywhere from 4 hours all the way up to 12. __________________ Mike Trump Owner & CEO, Oakridge BBQ LLC ~ Visit Oakridge BBQ ~ Lang 84D 22½" WSM Oaklahoma Joe 20x40 22½" Weber Kettle

11-28-2012, 07:35 PM	#13
southernstyle is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-26-11 Location: okeechobee, fl. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Cant go wrong with game changer. I leave mine for 5 hrs. The moisture is awesome __________________ roger. Sponsored by oakridge bbq. stumps baby with digi q 2. doublebarrel 250 gallon offset

11-29-2012, 08:32 AM	#14
HookedonSmoke Found some matches. Join Date: 10-29-12 Location: Mocksville, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	When making a brine is it best to use kosher salt or iodized table salt?