re: Need Tips--Smoking Brisket for the first time.

Start very early. A whole brisket could take a whole day to smoke. If it finishes early you can always keep it wrapped in foil and towels for a few hours and it will maintain temp.

Cook to 165 IT at 225, wrap in foil with a little apple juice and continue cooking to 185-195 IT. The higher the IT the more tender it will be as long as it foiled.

If you want a better bark coat it with yellow mustard before rub. You won't taste it in the end. Take it out of the foil for the last hour or so to dry the bark out some.