Brisket smoking. WHAT IS TAKING SO DANG LONG???

[kryinggame]

I have a 4 lbs brisket in my MES 30. It's been smoking now for 5:57 hours and it's only at 163 degrees internal. I started smoking it at 225, then bumped it up to 250.  Weird my MES is showing 249 degrees but my RediCheck is showing 223 degrees.

Anyway, my goal is to take it up to 190 degress internal for slicing. I really didnt think that a 4 pound brisket would take so long, otherwise I would have started it earlier.  Below are a few beginning pics of it:

This is yesterday (Saturday) where I marinated it with EVOO and Montreal seasoning

Brisket #1.jpg

• kryinggame
• Aug 5, 2012

Here's the last shot before going into Black Betty's belly. Before putting it in, I like to let it sit out for about an hour or two.

Brisket # 2.jpg

• kryinggame
• Aug 5, 2012

But I'm just angry that a small piece is taking so dang long. I'm STARVING!!!

More pics to follow.

 

[bama bbq]

I plan 2 hrs per lb and add two hrs to the total when doing a low and slow cook (225 - 250*). I've heard of others using a hig hot method (325-375°F) for brisket to decrease time.

 

[kryinggame]

I plan 2 hrs per lb and add two hrs to the total when doing a low and slow cook (225 - 250*). I've heard of others using a hig hot method for brisket to decrease time.

i was thinking more like 1.5 hrs. Dang, dang, dang...

 

[indyadmin1974]

Planning to cook by time per pound bites us all in the arse I think.  Briskets aren't as unpredictable as pork butts but they're close.

I think it must be Murphy's Law.  If I think its going to take 6 hours, it'll take 12.  That's an exaggeration but sometimes it's not...grrrrrrr....

 

[bama bbq]

I agree.  Bottom line: each one is different which is where the two hr "fudge factor" comes in.

 

[kryinggame]

Well, my 4lbs took nearly 9 hours.  I didn't even try it. By the time it was ready, I fell asleep. I just wrapped it in foil.  Tonight will be the revelation.

I think going with a butt is much easier than a brisket. I was then wondering if the problem was due to my 2 thermometers.

 

[smokinhusker]

"Weird my MES is showing 249 degrees but my RediCheck is showing 223 degrees."

That's not weird at all for the MES. Mine runs 25* cooler at the higher temps. So if I want to smoke at 250*, I have to set it for 275*

 

[kryinggame]

[color= rgb(24,24,24)]"Weird my MES is showing 249 degrees but my RediCheck is showing 223 degrees." [/color]

[color= rgb(24,24,24)]That's not weird at all for the MES. Mine runs 25* cooler at the higher temps. So if I want to smoke at 250*, I have to set it for 275*[/color]

As always, thank you!

That's the answer I was looking for.

 

[smokinhusker]

You're welcome! So with the max temp on the MES of 275* and the 25* cooler cabinet temp, I certainly can't get it much above 250*. I'm looking to buy one of the 2013 Masterbuilt Propanes for the higher temps.