Smoke ring

[gatorbuff15]

Did this Brisket for 11 hours yesterday. I was wondering if anyone knows the difference between a smoke ring that is bright and one that is more subtle?

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

It is all very dependent on the interaction of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide with the iron content of the myoglobin in the meat.

 

[indaswamp]

Did you cook with briquettes? Some briquettes actually have sodium nitrite mixed in and this creates a higher ppm of NO gas in the smoker, resulting in a very thick smoke ring. It's a crutch IMO...

If you cooked with splits, hats off to you....looks great!

Though the smoke ring does not contribute to flavor other than creating a 'cured' taste where it is red, the smoke ring does indicate that the fire was burning at the proper heat level to produce the best smoke for flavor, which is why the old timers looked for it. The best smoke rings come from burning wood that contains bark because the cambium layer has the highest concentration of nitrogen in a tree...

 

[SmokinAl]

Smoke ring or no smoke ring, that is one good looking brisket!!!
Al

 

[indaswamp]

Smoke ring or no smoke ring, that is one good looking brisket!!!
Al

OH-definitely!

 

[gmc2003]

Looks mighty fine to me. For me there's only one ring that matters in life, and thats the wedding ring.

Chris

 

[cornman]

Looks delicious!!!! The ring is the cherry on top. Great job!