Thawed Brisket Question

[Noahjb]

A few weeks ago I bought a nice, prime whole packer. About 13lbs. Tossed it in the spare freezer for a later date.

This past Sunday, I see a water trail coming from the spare freezer and realize the freezer door was not properly shut (less than an inch gap). I had taken a bag of ice out about 48hrs earlier and I guess I didn’t close it all the way.

The brisket had completely thawed but was still cool to the touch. The water trail was from another bag of now melted ice.

I left the brisket in and shut the door, and now it is back to frozen state. Is this brisket safe to cook or I am better off tossing it?

 

[Rings Я Us]

Good still I bet.

If it was down in the freezer it should have stayed about fridge cool at least. Plus it was in those sealed thick bags.

Pretty amazing that was already thawed out after only 2 days. It must be really hot there where that freezer was .. only open an inch or so? Must be a stand up freezer and door opens outward.

 

[Noahjb]

Freezer in basement where it isn’t too hot and yes, it is a pull-out bottom freezer.

BUT, I had my math WRONG. It was Thursday that I got the ice out, so 72hrs with door slightly open (and maybe it was 2in).

What do we think?

 

[chilerelleno]

Was it COLD or just COOL to the touch?
Was it fully thawed or partially thawed?
If it was cold to the touch, still partially frozen and in a sealed cryovac bag it is okay.
If it was merely cool to the touch and fully thawed in a sealed cryovac bag it should be okay.

 

[Noahjb]

Cool to the touch and fully thawed in a sealed cryovac bag. I’m leaning towards it being fine but would hate to get 10+ people sick.

What would you do?

 

[mfatty500]

open it up and put your nose to it, your ol sniffer should tell you the truth

 

[Noahjb]

Yeah, just threw it in the fridge to thaw. Will check on Fri. I’m either cooking it or heading to Costco for another.

 

[lovethemeats]

I would trust it still. But I would have just put it in the smoker instead of refreezing it. Had something similar happen to some really nice porterhouse steaks I bought some years back. Freezer died and I didn't know it till it was too late. They were cool to the touch - thawed out completely. Feed me, my ex - her two children and her 2 brothers. We were all ok. To this day I still think it was the best damn steaks I have ever eaten.

 

[Noahjb]

Ha! Maybe this will be the best brisket ever then... Yeah I was tempted to go ahead and cook it, but just didn’t have the time to do it right.

 

[SmokinAl]

It sounds to me like it would be just fine. Especially since you are smoking it this weekend.
Al

 

[Noahjb]

Opened the brisket this morning and it looked, smelled and felt good! Thx all for the feedback.

Put on the BGE at 6:00 at 250. Will keep ya posted.

 

[gmc2003]

Glad it's not ruined. Enjoy the smoke and brisket.

Chris

 

[Noahjb]

5hrs in, stalling at 168 ;) Time for a brewski

 

[Noahjb]

And just wrapped at 170, 7.25hrs in.

 

[chilerelleno]

In the car and hanging on, pass me a cold one.

 

[Noahjb]

Timing way off on this one... at 181 and have serve in no less than 1 1/2 hrs. Got it wrapped and cranked to 350.

 

[Noahjb]

Ok, I lied...385

 

[Noahjb]

A little dry in the flat. But overall great.