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View Full Version : Help picking 1st Brisket...

Norm62
06-22-2014, 10:31 PM
Ready to try a brisket on my WSM, but can't seem to find a decent looking one. Any hints on selecting one? What do you guys look for? Everything I've seen (only finding Selects at Wally World so far), have had super thin flats (like 1/2 inch and less of meat) with really thick fat caps. They were "on sale" for $2.89 lb (!) but I just can't see paying 38-45 bucks for these things, so I'm impatiently waiting and checking back from time to time. :sad:
1buckie
06-23-2014, 12:24 AM
An old timer told me to look for this on any grade:

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/OCT%209%20brisket%202012/OCT9brisket2012022.jpg

The more pliable & bendable the better.....probably doesn't answer all the finer points of picking them out, but it's really helped me find decent ones..............
mchar69
06-23-2014, 01:15 AM
And that's a "full Packer".
Go to a butcher who knows his stuff.
Get something marbled, not just red meat.
Search this website.
Ron_L
06-23-2014, 08:05 AM
I look for packers that are at least 12 lbs and have a thick, uniform flat, good marbling and are flexible. The flexibility part can be tough to determine depending on how tight the cryovac is, but you can usually get a decent idea.
DaveAlvarado
06-23-2014, 08:07 AM
Ideal packer has a thick flat and really good marbling (lots of white streaks in the meat).

But I've given up wasting time looking for perfect packers. Now I just get a Choice or CAB in the 15-17lb range and call it good.
Smokesignalsfromtx
06-23-2014, 08:21 AM
I agree with Dave and Ron. I always look for the "fatty"'ones and 9 times out of 10 are from Walmart. The biggest factor for me is the marbling.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w579/Smokesignalsfromtx/41380CA9-11D7-4DE5-93B6-2712735A4039_zpsrfzs8mfu.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/Smokesignalsfromtx/media/41380CA9-11D7-4DE5-93B6-2712735A4039_zpsrfzs8mfu.jpg.html)
Bludawg
06-23-2014, 08:49 AM
Loose like in the above pic, a blunt point, pack weight 2 lb heavier that I want to cook ( All Life has Rot) preferably a 1" minimum tail(Sometimes ya just need to cut it until your happy and cook that piece separately)then I look for marbeling because on Select and most Choice it don't make much difference. I cook mostly Select grade and about 1/2 comes from the Walfart store.
DaveAlvarado
06-23-2014, 08:51 AM
That's a heck of a good looking brisket there!
Hawg Father of Seoul
06-23-2014, 09:21 AM
I ask for the biggest prime packer they have. If it is over 15 lbs, then I buy it.

Luckily enough, not had a bad brisket in a couple years. Feel good enough about them that I only cook one per comp and typically leave with a check.
Smokesignalsfromtx
06-23-2014, 10:09 AM
That's a heck of a good looking brisket there!

😁 $27 at Wally World!
legendaryhog
06-23-2014, 10:40 AM
Most everyone on this thread has it right. You want to look for a brisket that feels "floppy". In other words, feel the whole thing through the cyrovac, if you feel hard fat, which you will, see how big it is. The less the better. This will not render during your cook and is waste. It also is a sign of a less tender brisket. Really dig through the packers until you find one that is floppy and relatively devoid of hard chunks of fat. You will know when you find one, if you don't, cook something else for the time being and try next time they are on sale.
dpuryear
06-23-2014, 11:18 AM
Don't know if you have a Costco club nearby, but the one I shop at has prime briskets for 20 cents/lb more than Select - thats $3.69/lb right now.
I usually look for large points, because butnt ends are so popular here in the KC ares.
Norm62
06-23-2014, 12:32 PM
Don't know if you have a Costco club nearby, but the one I shop at has prime briskets for 20 cents/lb more than Select - thats $3.69/lb right now.
I usually look for large points, because butnt ends are so popular here in the KC ares.

We do have a Costco, but I've seen no briskets there on my visits. Need to ask why next time.

Thanks
Norm62
06-23-2014, 12:43 PM
So... Very flexible, not too much hard fat, thick uniform flat and good marbling. The few I've seen so far have met none of the above criteria, but the search continues. Thanks for the help everyone!
darkoozy
06-23-2014, 01:08 PM
Ideal packer has a thick flat and really good marbling (lots of white streaks in the meat).

But I've given up wasting time looking for perfect packers. Now I just get a Choice or CAB in the 15-17lb range and call it good.

Ya, I am with you. I just look for choice or prime between 16 to 18lbs and call it good. I dont stress out anymore...