Misunderstandings

[Parshooter]

So, I've only been into smoking for about a year now but have always loved bbq. I've had burnt ends only a couple of times. Until this week, when I watched a video on how to make them, I thought they were just the actual ends of the brisket that got "burnt" because they were on the ends and thinner than the rest of the brisket, therefore being done way before the rest of the brisket, essentially making them burnt. Imagine my chagrin when I learnt the truth.
Let's hear your misunderstandings.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

I don't want to know the truth.

My misunderstandings are more interesting.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

I've been smoking meats half my life.
Not very good at it but I carry on.
Every time I learn something, without fail I learn.

I disintegrated three sides of back ribs last weekend.
Still scratching my melon trying to figure out what I did wrong.

Welcome to the world of low and slow cooking. It can be amazing, it can be defeating.

 

[Chasdev]

Your initial impression is correct, they are exterior portions of brisket that have been smoked more than the interior portions and they are wonderful.
I've not been impressed with fake ones or rather those created on purpose to grab attention.
Real ones are in limited supply and therefore sought after due to the sublime smoke taste profile, which IMHO is difficult to replicate.
Also, the best ones are from the point, not the flat.

 

[Parshooter]

Your initial impression is correct, they are exterior portions of brisket that have been smoked more than the interior portions and they are wonderful.
I've not been impressed with fake ones or rather those created on purpose to grab attention.
Real ones are in limited supply and therefore sought after due to the sublime smoke taste profile, which IMHO is difficult to replicate.
Also, the best ones are from the point, not the flat.

ok, so that explains why when real bbq joints have them it's for a limited time. Glad I wasn't too far off. Thanks for the education.

 

[Chasdev]

I’m lucky as my wife hates them so whenever I smoke brisket they are ALL mine !

 

[Displaced Texan]

Your initial impression is correct, they are exterior portions of brisket that have been smoked more than the interior portions and they are wonderful.
I've not been impressed with fake ones or rather those created on purpose to grab attention.
Real ones are in limited supply and therefore sought after due to the sublime smoke taste profile, which IMHO is difficult to replicate.
Also, the best ones are from the point, not the flat.

Yep. "Burnt" is sort of a misnomer. Just a nice bark on the ends of the flat and point.