Brisket Smoking - Rest Time [duplicate]

I smoked a brisket last night and it got finished (up to 200F) faster than expected. Took it out to rest wrapped in tinfoil in a cooler. Fell asleep and it rested for 6 to 6.5 hrs. Is this too long for food safety? We aren't planning on eating for another 6 hours. Should I refrigerate? If so whats the best way to reheat and serve?

food-safety brisket

Best Answer

You want to be careful with food safety. The "danger zone" is generally cited between 40°-140°F, and you don't want your meat in this zone for longer than one hour if about 90° or two hours if between 40°-90·. You should start your timer when you think it reached this temperature. Wrapped in foil in a cooler it probably took some time to cool down to 140, and also it's not exposed directly to new sources of bacteria (though there will always be some that cooking did not kill, and they will start to propagate).

Did you take a read of the temperature once you woke up from your nap? That would be useful info. I don't want to advise you on whether it's safe to eat because I don't know enough about your specifics and in any case you'll be taking a risk, but there are mitigating factors in your case which could ameliorate the risk.

In answer to your second question, if you feel the food is safe, eat it right away. Any other course will increase your risk. Cooling it will continue to grow bacteria, and bacteria can release toxins which are harmful, so reheating it may kill the bacteria but not these toxins.

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Can you smoke a brisket twice?

The answer is a definite yes! You can smoke your favorite cut of meat twice, but you must be extra careful not to burn or overcook it. We recommend adding some extra fat to the already smoked meat to help it stay moist and tender throughout the smoking process.

How long should a brisket rest after being smoked?

If you plan on digging in as soon as possible, it should be allowed to rest for one hour. On the other hand, if you've smoked the brisket with the intention of enjoying it at a later date, we would recommend waiting about two hours before shredding or slicing the meat.

How long should a brisket cooler rest?

Ideally, you should hold a brisket in a faux Cambro for 2 to 4 hours. This will ensure that the meat remains at the proper serving temperature without becoming so warm that it overcooks. Although we suggest leaving brisket in the cooler for no longer than 4 hours, you may be able to hold it for longer.

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