first brisket

Welcome Wakame!!

I don't know how big your Brisket is, but below is how I did a small Brisket Flat in my MES 40:

Brisket Flat     

Bear

Wakame,

Welcome, and I just did my first brisket this past weekend.  It was about a 5lber and took nearly 10hours and honestly could have been a bit longer.

I cooked mine at between 225-240 the whole time till it got to an IT of 170 then I wrapped it in foil until it hit an IT of 195, I think 205 would have been better.  I did not use a water pan or actually any basting liquids and mine was juicy as can be.  I know a lot of folks on here do use some juices for basting so might want to look into that if you are so inclined.

As for keeping the AMNPS to stay lit, what I have been doing is putting my pellets into a microwave safe dish and nuking them for about 30 seconds to a minute.  That kicks some of the moisture out so they stay lit better.

Good luck, and happy Birthday!

I used a couple of make shift foil trays on the racks above the pellets to catch all the drippings.  Generally I use a foil pan anyways for my smoking to keep the smoker sort of clean from all the juicy goodness that seeps out.