Written by:
Our posts contain affiliate links. Sometimes, not always, we may make $$ when you make a purchase through these links. No Ads. Ever. Learn More
If you are new to the world of outdoor grilling, you may wonder what pellets to use for brisket. Some of the best grills, after all, use pellets as a primary source of fuel. So which pellets to use for briskets, why, and how to go about using these pellets? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
You are going to want to use wood pellets to cook brisket, specifically mesquite or hickory wood pellets. What’s the difference between woods for BBQ grills? Certain pellets like the aforementioned mesquite and hickory varieties impart a smoky flavor without becoming too sweet. In other words, avoid apple, pecan, and cherry-flavored wood pellets for brisket, though at the end of the day it is just a matter of personal taste.
Insider Tip
Sweeter pellets like apple and pecan are great for desserts, such as when you are grilling up fruit or pastries or making pie and donuts.
Here are some tips for cooking wood brisket while using a wood pellet grill.
Make sure the grill is operating at your preferred temperature. Go low and slow for brisket. Luckily, pellet grills are fairly easy to heat and excel with low-temperature cooking. The same cannot be said for charcoal grills if you are wondering when charcoal is ready for cooking. Wood pellet grills ignite easily and maintain a steady temperature across a wide range of options.
Not sure which flavor to choose? Feel free to mix and match to create a unique flavor profile for your brisket. Take a handful of hickory pellets and a small number of cherry pellets, for instance, to give your finished meal a slightly sweet finish. Experiment to find the best mix for you.
If you are wary of the brisket taking on too much of the wood pellet flavor, wrap it in aluminum foil. This will allow for even cooking without retaining any residual flavors.
Any cut of meat is only as tasty as its seasoning. Preseason your brisket by letting it rest at room temperature for several hours and applying salt, pepper, and any kind of seasonings you desire.
Brisket takes a long time to become tender, so give it time. An average brisket recipe calls for at least 12 hours of cooking, with many going above and beyond even that.
F.A.Q.S
How many pellets does a pellet grill use?
Depending on your temperature setting and the natural flavor you desire, you’ll use around a half-pound to 2.5 pounds of pellets when grilling. Milder meats tend to demand fewer pellets.
Which smoker should you get?
The type of smoker depends on the piece of meat you are cooking and your personal preferences, as there are many options there.
Do you have to use Traeger pellets?
Most pellet grills allow for the use of pellets created by any number of manufacturers, as they all bring up the internal temperature.
STAT: Brisket tends to be an expensive cut of beef, partially due to its massive size. So when smoking brisket, you want to make sure that you choose the right kind of wood, especially considering the time investment of smoking a 12-14 pound cut of beef. (source)
REFERENCES:
Related Articles
Also why not check out: