Why So Many People Say This Is The Right Smoker Temperature For The Best Brisket

Smoking brisket actually isn't as intimidating as some folks seem to think it is; it's just a long process. How long it takes to smoke brisket is a daunting proposition, but this is a meat that refuses to be hurried. And it's not just about the length of time in the smoker ... the temperature at which you smoke the meat also has a significant impact on its final tenderness. There are all sorts of opinions on brisket temperatures out there, which is why we sifted through dozens to get at the heart of the matter.

Turns out, a common consensus among home cooks and some professionals is that you should smoke brisket at around 225 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cook brisket too high, it will get tough. Cook it too low, and it will gradually dry out without coming up to temp. While some competition-level pitmasters have perfected the art of a higher-temp cook on their brisket — up to 325 degrees, even! — home smokers may find they have more control over all the variables (the smoke, the fire, the moisture) and an easier time bringing the brisket up to a final internal goal temperature of around 200 degrees by sticking with a smoker temp of 225.

If you have the temperature and timing right when it comes to your brisket, you're more than halfway to success already. Note that you can cook brisket very successfully at a higher temperature (250 degrees Fahrenheit seems to be the popular alternative), but this shorter cook may be more challenging for amateur smokers. Be patient! Also, keep in mind that there are a few basic no-tricks-required bits of advice that will improve your brisket game in almost any situation.

Good brisket starts with buying the best cut that's in your price range. Look for Choice or Prime, plenty of marbling, and a thick fat cap that evenly covers one side of the brisket. You want to cook your brisket with the fat cap facing up so that all that luscious marbling can render down into your meat as it cooks. 

Additionally, keep your smoker clean, because a clean smoker won't impart any sooty, greasy, or otherwise foreign flavors into your meat. Check out the best way to clean your smoker and how often for some super-useful tips. And if you don't have a traditional smoker, keep in mind you can smoke a brisket using a stove-top smoke box.