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My first brisket was dry, as i undercooked it. Panned in the oven with beef broth sounds like a plan. If it was undercooked, take it a little hotter than 160.
As others suggested, depends on the use. I have a old food saver, cheap model. It has lasted me about 13 years so far. I use it once/twice a month to seal meat, and freeze leftovers.
I believe it is primarily temp control. I’ve seen no real difference in the quality of the cook with or without water. My wsm is hard to get above 225-250 with water in the pan.
What size WSM? Are you using lump or briquettes? Water in the pan or not?
Here is my work flow for my 18.5 wsm. Fill the charcoal ring to the top, bury some wood chunks around, and create a small divot in the center. Start a chimney with 12-15 pieces in it, and let them get hot. Open top...
This would be the top end of the budget, really double. A guy i know just found one used for $550. Plenty of room though.
https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/charcoal-grills/ranch-series/60020.html
I do some work with deer from October through March each year, in some of the most prevalent lyme disease areas of the country. I’m exposed to ticks all the time. Put some repellent on, and shower as soon as possible if you know you were in them. Doing that has prevented me from getting lyme...
The only way to be sure you hit target temp is to use a thermometer.
When you say large, how thick? Are you putting the roast in cold, or letting them warm up a bit first?
It can help a lot. You have to render the collagen out from between the meat fibers for tenderness and moisture. If you see any gray between the fibers, it’s undercooked.