Brisket is a notoriously tough and savory cut of meat that is popular among barbecue enthusiasts worldwide. However, to get that amazing bark on the outside of your brisket and that delectable fall-part tender meat, it takes a lot of time, patience, and skill.
In this post, we’ll explore how long to smoke brisket at 225°F (the ideal smoking temperature) to achieve perfectly cooked brisket with a smoky flavor that will have your taste buds dancing. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from preparing the brisket, to monitoring the pellets, to when you might want to wrap the brisket to avoid the stall.
If you’re embarking on your first attempt to smoke brisket, you’re going to be wondering how long it’s going to take. Do you need to set up a tent and sleep next to the smoker? The answer is not a definitive number of hours, because cooking time is determined by a lot of factors.
You might also want to read about:
- How long to smoke ribs at 225°F
- How long to smoke burgers at 225°F
- How long to smoker chicken legs at 225
- How Long Do Pellets Last for Grilling and Smoking
Equipment Needed
- Smoker – We use a Traeger Grills Pro 575 for most of our smoking, though I also have a Z Grills 700 series. Whenever we’re smoking something small, we use our Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill.
- Wood pellets – There are many types of pellets available. We like Traeger Signature blend or Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend. If you’ve already got pellets in your smoker, use whatever you have.
- Meat thermometer – Many smokers have a thermometer built in, but if yours doesn’t, get an instant-read thermometer. I love this Thermapen.
Why Smoke Brisket at 225°F?
Smoking brisket at 225°F is a popular temperature for a few reasons. First, it’s a low and slow cooking method that allows the brisket to cook evenly and absorb the smoky flavor without drying out.
Second, 225°F is a safe temperature for cooking beef, ensuring that the brisket is fully cooked and safe to eat. Cooking at a higher temperature can cause the outside of the brisket to cook too quickly, while the inside remains undercooked, resulting in a dry and tough brisket.
Finally, cooking at a consistent temperature like 225°F allows you to have more control over the cooking process, ensuring that the brisket is cooked evenly and thoroughly. So, if you want to achieve delicious, smoky brisket that is cooked to perfection, 225°F is a great temperature to use.
» You might also like this Incredible Smoked Corned Beef Brisket.
How Long Should You Smoke Brisket at 225°F?
At this temperature, a brisket will take anything from 12 to 20 hours to cook. I know that’s a huge spread of hours. Isn’t it possible to get a better gauge of how much time it will actually take?
The problem is that the amount of time it takes to smoke a brisket at 225°F depends on a number of factors, including the size and thickness of the brisket, the type of smoker utilized, and the desired level of doneness. Other things that might affect the cooking time are wind, temperature, and how often you open the door of the smoker.
As a rough rule of thumb, allow about 1.5-2 hours of cooking time per pound of brisket. For example, a 6-pound brisket will take approximately 9 hours to smoke. If you have a 12-pound brisket, plan on cooking it for 18 hours. For a 15-pound brisket, you’d cook it for roughly 22.5 hours.
However, keep in mind that this is merely a preliminary estimate, and the real cook time will vary depending on the conditions listed above.
This is a game of patience, so you’re going to need to be prepared to spend the entire day smoking the brisket. It will also require quite a bit of pellets to keep the smoker stoked, so be sure to check your supply before you start.
» You might be interested in How Long Can You Rest a Brisket? and Smoked Brisket Temperatures.
What Pellets to Use for the Smoker?
You’ll also need pellets for your smoker, if you’ve got a pellet grill like we do. Pellets come in many different types that you can choose from. I like to use the Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend, hickory wood, or cherry wood pellets for mine. They also have a bourbon wood pellet that’s very good. My friend Todd swears by the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey pellets.
Brisket Cooking Process
The cooking time is divided into three phases: the initial smoking period, the wrapping period, and the final cooking period.
Smoking Stage
The first step of the cook is the smoking stage, which normally lasts 6 to 8 hours. The brisket is exposed to smoke and heat during this step, which begins to break down the connective tissue and fat. During this stage, the internal temperature of the brisket will progressively rise to around 160 to 170°F.
The Wrapping
The wrapping time is the second step of the cook and lasts around 2 to 3 hours. The brisket is wrapped in butcher paper or foil at this step to help maintain moisture and keep the meat from drying out. This stage is essential because it further tenderizes the meat while also providing flavor.
Ultimately, the decision to wrap a brisket or not will depend on personal preference and the desired outcome. If you want a thick, flavorful bark and don’t mind a longer cooking time, you may want to avoid wrapping your brisket.
If you want a more tender and juicy brisket and don’t mind sacrificing some of the bark, you may want to wrap your brisket. Some pitmasters choose to wrap their brisket partway through the cooking process, allowing the meat to absorb the smoke flavor for several hours before wrapping it to retain moisture.
Cooking Stage
The final cooking stage is the final step of the cook and typically lasts 2 to 4 hours. The brisket is removed from the foil or butcher paper and returned to the smoker at this point to generate a crispy bark. The brisket’s internal temperature will continue to rise until it reaches the appropriate level of doneness.
What Smokers We Use
Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill & Smoker
Did you know that Traeger created the original wood-pellet grill? The Pro Series 22 is the one most people choose because it’s compact, yet has plenty of space for cooking. You can use any type of wood pellets you like. See the Traeger Series 22 Grill on Amazon.
Z Grills 7002C2E Pellet Grill & Smoker
We use the 7002C2E, which has dual temperature probes, a huge pellet hopper and pellet viewing window, with a large grill space and streamlined design. See this grill and more on the Z Grills site.
Things to Consider
There are various things to consider when establishing the cooking time for your brisket, including the weight and thickness of the meat, the type of smoker used, and the desired level of doneness.
Another important consideration when smoking brisket is the type of smoker used. Temperatures in different types of smokers will vary, which might affect cooking time. A charcoal smoker, for example, will have a more steady temperature than a wood-burning smoker, which might fluctuate more significantly.
Finally, when selecting the cooking time, consider the desired level of doneness. Brisket can be cooked to a variety of doneness levels, ranging from rare to well-done. The internal temperature of the brisket determines its doneness level, with rare being approximately 130 to 135°F and well-done being around 195 to 205°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to smoke brisket at 225 or 250?
The temperature at which you smoke a brisket doesn’t have to be one or the other, but the more generally accepted temperature for brisket is 225°F. This is chosen because it is low enough to allow a slow cooking of the brisket to lock in maximum flavor without robbing the meat of juiciness, but it’s not so low that it allow for unsafe cooking conditions. That’s not to say that smoking at 250°F isn’t also acceptable.
When should I wrap my brisket?
Wrapping a brisket can help retain moisture and prevent the meat from drying out during the cooking process. This can result in a more tender and juicy brisket. If you’re going to wrap your brisket, the best time is when the meat reaches around 160-170°F. Leave it wrapped for about 2-3 hours to help get through the long stall.
What is the secret to a tender brisket?
The temperature at which you cook the brisket is one of the biggest secrets to tender brisket. At 225°F, the connective tissue of the meat will break down, rendering some of the intramuscular fat, and forming a tender and juicy texture without drying it out from too high a heat.
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill
For this recipe, I used my Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill, which is a new offering from the kitchen appliance brand that makes our beloved favorites, the Ninja MaxXL Air Fryer and the Ninja Creami. The Woodfire Grill is a portable outdoor grill with 7 functions: grill, smoke, air fry, bake, roast, broil, and dehydrate.
Why I Like It
- It imparts an amazing amount of woodfire flavor into the food with just 1/2 cup of pellets.
- It’s incredibly fast and efficient.
- It cooks faster and with more smoker flavor than my full-size smoker – by far.
- There’s no guessing, especially with the built-in temperature probe available on the Pro version.
- The food comes out with a perfect crispy or seared exterior that’s both gorgeous and super tasty.
- It’s very portable and can be set up anywhere on a sturdy surface with a power outlet nearby.
Guess what? We’ve brokered a deal for you, our lovely readers.
Use our coupon code to get a discount on the grill!
- Use LOTG30 to get $30 off the PRO version of the grill ($459.60 before the discount)
- Use LOTG40 to get $40 off the base model of the grill ($369.60 before the discount)
Like this recipe? We’d love for you to share it on your Pinterest board! Click to follow our Pinterest boards so you can find all our recipes!
Instagram it! If you try this recipe please tag #legendsofthegrill on Instagram or Twitter. We love to see your photos of our recipes! Also follow us on Facebook to keep up on what we’re cooking up.
Laura is a passionate home cook and grill enthusiast who has spent years perfecting her culinary skills, with a particular focus on grilling techniques and flavor combinations. Her fascination with the grill, smoke, and the mouthwatering results they produce has led her on an exciting journey to discover the best methods for grilling delicious and unforgettable meals.
Post this on the Barbecue Brethren forum and be prepared for a lively debate on cooking at 225. 275-300 range is much more common and produces great results.
The debate rages on!
absolutely Cliff