Newbie struggling with meat cut selection!

[bigtex2112]

I am newer to smoking, I bought an ECB to see how much I really wanted to actually get into smoking and also a good cheap unit to learn on. I did some spare ribs a few weeks ago and they turned out pretty good. I want to do a brisket or butt either this weekend or next. So here comes a few rookie questions for the evening. Being that the ECB is not the largest thing, is it ok to cut a brisket in half and do them side by side? Along the same line is it ok to only smoke half of a brisket and freeze the other half for another cook? Will the butcher at the meat market cut off smaller portions to sell? Same questions for a pork butt. I assume if I only did half this would also cut cooking time down?? I apologize to ask such dumb questions, but I would rather ask them now than make mistakes later! Any replies and help on this would be much appreciated

Thanks,

Gary

 

[akdutchguy]

You can cut any meat down to size to fit. I usually cut my shoulders down a bit to get them done faster. Just keep an eye on temps. The smaller the cut the quicker it comes up to temp. Welcome to the addiction of smoking meats.

 

[bigtex2112]

Thanks AK, do you smoke briskets? By cutting them down do you have to worry about which areas of the flat and point to keep together or apart?

 

[akdutchguy]

I have done a few briskets. We raise pigs so pork is easier to cone by. I wouldn't think it would make any difference. I've never cut a brisket down. I'm running a bradley electric smoker and it has had enough room for the briskets I have done. Make sure to post some pictures.

 

[redheelerdog]

Thanks AK, do you smoke briskets? By cutting them down do you have to worry about which areas of the flat and point to keep together or apart?

Here is a thread that shows how to break down a full packer brisket.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/115377/pastrami-from-scratch-lots-of-q-view

You can also buy flats and points separately at places like Sam's club and Costco, others. A butcher at a grocery store will cut you what ever you want also.

Have fun!

 

[bigtex2112]

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• bigtex2112
• Nov 12, 2015

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• bigtex2112
• Nov 12, 2015

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• bigtex2112
• Nov 12, 2015

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• bigtex2112
• Nov 12, 2015

Thanks Red that is a great link. Really good breakdown and a ton of pics. What kind of unit are you cooking with? I know that AK said he is on electric. I am using a charcoal burner, any tips on keeping temps for long periods of time on long smokes? I.e. to get a few hours of sleep. I have been using strictly lump charcoal and tried and failed using a bit of the minion method. (Put too many lit coals on top and a bunch caught quickly) I feel like I was able to keep pretty steady around 225 for almost two hours at a time for the first maybe 4 hours of a six hour smoke. Keep in mind I'm using a ECB with only a few mods. Pics are from my last smoke.

 

[lemans]

So here is the story. Yes you can cut a brisket or butt in half to cut down on the smoking time. My first brisket was a $125 packer that my mother in law bought me
What did I know? I took a knife and cut it down the center. Smoked half and froze the rest. So my first smoke was the flat and a piece of the point. It was good ( I thought)
The next week I smoked the other half
Which was the point.. It wasn't as good at 190
( duh)
Three years later I have learned.. If you want to split the packer divide the flat from the point . Then you have the flat and burnt ends ..
Pork butt a 7 lb will fit on your smoker

 

[bigtex2112]

That's great advice Lemans thanks. I'm trying to make sure I don't mess up on a more expensive piece of meat. So I am glad you shared that. I knew there was a specific way to split a brisket, and I love burnt ends. So win win.

 

[ravenclan]

bigtex2112,

you can cheat a little with this . when i first started with my ECB i had a hard time keeping it up to heat with charcoal . found this at Academy Sports . no more ups and downs with the heat and it lasts forever . i started on it over 11 years ago since then i have upgraded and expanded with other types of smokers and i gave my ECB to a friend , who still uses it today and turns out a really great brisket and killer baby backs !

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