Brisket - Fat Side Down or Up?

[Saul D]

I see a cup of water on the grill. I never did that before and was wondering why. Does it just add moisture?

I noticed that too. Curious how many others use a water pan. Heard it could prohibit building bark, but I think that’s mostly on offset smokers.
I think I’m going to start doing that more often. I’ll sacrifice some bark for more moisture. I typically smoke on my middle rack with a water pan on the lower rack; it catches the drippings and blocks the hot spot above the fire pit.

 

[Cowboy1955]

I’ve always placed my fat side up

 

[bobissmokin]

Team Down on brisket!

 

[hollrusl]

Towards the heat source. So for me, down.

 

[mixed up]

I trim mine lean and do fat side up for flavor and moisture

 

[Steve In Pa]

Fat trimmed a bit then up. It’s like basting then.

 

[SeniorChief]

Fat side down to protect the meat is bs. What about all the other meats? What do you do to protect the meat? Nothing, cuz there is no need to. All the fat juices will end up getting lost/ burned up if it’s down. Fatty side up to help keep your meat juicy/ moist.

 

[ANT0407]

Fat side down to protect the meat is bs. What about all the other meats? What do you do to protect the meat? Nothing, cuz there is no need to. All the fat juices will end up getting lost/ burned up if it’s down. Fatty side up to help keep your meat juicy/ moist.

I completely agree! I used to think fat side down but I get much better results with fat cap up

 

[SeniorChief]

And just because what Myron says, does not make it gospel

 

[Steve In Pa]

I completely agree! I used to think fat side down but I get much better results with fat cap up

On my vertical, I have that water pan between the pot and the meat so burning is really not an issue. I suppose it could be without the pan there. When I smoked on my Kamado, I put a pie pan full of water between the meat and the coals.

 

[bobissmokin]

I do fat down. It's about the bark for me. Fat up or down is just a preference imo.

 

[Jimsmokes]

Fat down on my offset for protection. My pellet I just pick my presentation side.

 

[Steve In Pa]

My wife loaded up the ribs and a couple kinds of sauce while we were at Sam’s Club. Guess that’s gonna be on the agenda soon. As to which sauce, decisions, decisions, decisions.

 

[Cowboy1955]

My wife loaded up the ribs and a couple kinds of sauce while we were at Sam’s Club. Guess that’s gonna be on the agenda soon. As to which sauce, decisions, decisions, decisions.
View attachment 5453View attachment 5454

Love me some ribs !!
Wife buys that Stubbs in sugar free.
You won’t be disappointed trust me

 

[Cowboy1955]

How do you guys smoke Brisket? Fat side up or down?

View attachment 32

Always up. Makes it more tender