First Brisket and on an Electric too!!! Questions to follow

[droopie69]

First Happy Carnivore Day...er I mean 4th of July. I have a Masterbuilt analog electric smoker. I've been reading Meathead's recipe's and reviews for 2 years now. I've made killer pulled pork (my wife was a non-pulled pork eater before but now she loves it) and pork ribs. My 16 year old will put down the iphone and come chow down on some Last Ribs without being asked!!! I live in Memphis, so I better know how to do pork, but I have been wanting to do a brisket forever.

Kroger had them on sale, so I picked up a 9 pound HOF Saturday and promptly trimmed and salted it. As you guys can probably tell, I am using BBBR with an abundance of coarse black pepper. I put it on at 4 AM, I didn't remember to take pictures until is was in the smoker. The last picture is from just a few minutes ago. It's been 5.5 hours and is up to 176 IT. So I just pulled it and quadruple wrapped it in foil.

I am pretty sure I know the answer, because according to my wife, I sometimes read this site like it has the recipe for crack or contains porn. Which, if you like real good bbq, it has both!!!!!! But as you can see the bark is pretty weak. I believe it was Meathead who said because of the lack of combustion and lower temps of the electric element, plus the humidity, you (I) can't get a good bark on an electric.

With that being said, is it worth trying to get more bark? I could put in on my grill for a bit at the end? Or should I just enjoy the beef pleasure to come and not monkey around risking ruination?

I went back last night and got a pack of 4 beef short ribs I am going to throw on the grill for my lunch! I know all this beef...I'll probably be evicted from the Pork side of the Mississippi.

Happy 4th of July to everyone, especially those privileged enough to have served this nation in our military and to all the first responders who run towards danger everyday!

[droopie69]

One thing I forgot to mention about my setup is last year I bought a Smoke Daddy Pellet ring smoke generator. That thing is awesome. I can fill the larger side of it about 70% full of pellets, light it like a fuse and get 10-14 hours of smoke. I just put a pot of bbq beans on the smoker. I'm getting hungry already!

[Mr. Bones]

Yeah, I think ya'd be good, crispin' up th' bark on a grill...
looks yummy, already, not much danger of hurtin' it!

[HorseDoctor]

I recently borrowed a Masterbuilt electric smoker to do a few extra pork butts for a party and had no problem with getting adequate bark on them. Had temp set at 250 and poured the smoke to them. Don't know why a brisket wouldn't get more bark given more time. I only wrap brisket after I have the bark I want. Good luck!

[kmhfive]

You can easily "bark" it up on the gasser later.

[droopie69]

I threw some short ribs on the gas grill for about 2 hrs then into the smoker for another 2. OMG. I just pulled them out and they look and taste like heaven on a plate. If the brisket is half that good... It's in the cooler still at about 153 IT. I think we'll be slicing in about 1.5 hrs.

[droopie69]

I recently borrowed a Masterbuilt electric smoker to do a few extra pork butts for a party and had no problem with getting adequate bark on them. Had temp set at 250 and poured the smoke to them. Don't know why a brisket wouldn't get more bark given more time. I only wrap brisket after I have the bark I want. Good luck!

I never have a problem with pork getting a good bark. Last butt I did it was even a little extra crispy on the bark...I probably could have wrapped it. But I never wrap the pork. But everything I read here suggested wrapped brisket. I'm not too worried. I can't wait to taste it, then dissect what can be done better NEXT TIME!

[droopie69]

I took it out of the cooler and tightened it up on the gas grill. It's not a meteorite, but it looks better. Didn't want to over do it. Lots of juice must be a good sign. Back in the cooler. COME on guests...I am ready to slice this!

[Mr. Bones]

Better to wait on th' Guests, than th' Guests wait on th' food

[kmhfive]

It's gonna be tasty.

[RonB]

Looks like ya done good to me.

[Mr. Bones]

Same here, was jus' wonderin' what time brisket is bein' served!?