Brining - How important is it? What are the benefits? What is the shortest effective brining period? Will I hate myself if I skip it? I don't brine the Prime Packer briskets that I buy from Costco. I don't think it's necessary for Prime. But I might brine a Choice brisket, and for sure a Select. Although I'd only buy Select if I was really desperate. Brining certainly wouldn't hurt. If brining, don't put any curing salt in the brine (see "Prep" below). Some people here like to inject, but I have never injected. I will leave it up to the other forum members to answer your other questions about brining. Since I always buy Prime from Costco, I don't brine my brisket. If you do choose to brine, then you should reduce the amount of salt in your rub.
Prep I'm planning to do yellow mustard and a simple rub (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper) all over. I don't use mustard on brisket (I do use it on pork butt). I just rub with oil, then the rub. But that's personal preference. How much seasoning is too much? How much is too little? Just pretty much what sticks. You don't want to cake it on, but brisket can take a fair bit of seasoning. Should the fat cap be scored? I usually score my fat cap, because I tend to leave it fairly thick, 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. Is four hours rest after applying the rub acceptable? Can it realistically be shorter? Is there a benefit to waiting longer? I don't feel like there is much difference between leaving the rub on for 4 hours or 1 hour. Any secrets in this stage that I should know and consider? After brining (if you choose to brine), here's what I do as far as the rub. I've become pretty attached to the faux smoke ring. So I apply a good dusting of Morton's TenderQuick. (This is why you do not want to use any curing salt in the brine.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes or so, then rinse the TenderQuick off. Dry with paper towels, then apply some oil (or mustard if you choose), and the rub. At this point, I would get it right into the smoker. If it sits around for too long (like a few hours), the TenderQuick cure will continue to creep it's way into the meat, and you might end up with a faux smoke ring that is too large. If you are not doing the TenderQuick step for the faux smoke ring (it is only for looks and is not necessary), then you can apply your rub well in advance of smoking.
Placement - I'm still a noob, so I'm being overly cautious. It should be placed with the fat cap up, correct? Oh boy, you are opening a can of worms with that question. I'm going to say fat cap down, if you are smoking it whole on one rack. Some people put their fat trimmings on the top of the meat to help keep it moist. I mentioned that I think it will fit whole if I put it diagonal on the rack... will it be problematic if it comes in contact, very minimally, with any of the interior of the smoker? Even if that isn't ideal, would it still be better than cutting it in half and smoking it on two racks? I don't have a #2, but if placing it whole on one rack means that there is very little space around it for airflow, smoke and heat circulation, you might be better off cutting it in half, and placing on two racks. Most people will tell you to keep it whole whenever you can, but I have excellent results in my #1 cutting it in half, because the point can take, and needs more heat than the flat. If cutting it in half, place the flat fat-side-up on the top rack. Place the point fat-side-down on a rack below. The point will shield the flat from the more intense heat. My target temps are 195 in the flat, and 200-205 in the point. With this two-shelf arrangement, they seem to get to their target temps around the same time.
Other - How many ounces of wood should I consider for this smoke? 5-6 ounces. Once it's done (by touch / feel) I'll pull it, wrap it well in foil, wrap that in a towel, and throw it in a cooler to rest for some number of hours. Do I need to worry about it falling apart when trying to pull it out of the smoker? It should be very jiggly when you pull it out of the smoker, but it shouldn't fall apart if you handle it carefully. I use heat-proof silicone gloves to remove it from the rack to a sheet pan lined with big sheets of foil. Do folks usually just dump it from the rack onto a baking sheet to bring it inside and do the wrapping bit? I usually have my baking sheet ready with two layers of big sheets of heavy-duty foil, and take it outside with me. You can take the whole rack inside and deal with it there too. Inside or outside doesn't matter. In the winter, I'm getting back inside as fast as I can.
What am I totally leaving out? This is just the way I do it. Others on the forum will probably have different ideas.
Thanks in advance everyone!
