Successful smoked brisket?

Well, my ex-pat Texas friends thought the brisket had been imported from TX. But I thought it had a slight acrid taste. My wife thinks either my taste buds are screwy or I am too fussy. I am cooking on pecan. I also really struggled to maintain a consistent fire temperature. Required almost constant attention from beginning to end. What a long day!
What am I doing wrong? I tried to follow the book like it was telling me how to defuse a bomb. Just couldn’t get the knack of it. I am using a large Brinkman smoker.
Thanks,
Ken

Too much smoke

HEY BILL, HAVE A IMP. QUESTION I KNOW YOU KNOW. ONCE YOUR MEAT HAS BEEN SMOKED, HICKORY BY THE WAY,HOW DO YOU KEEP THE HEAT UP TO FINISH COOKING THE MEAT WITHOUT MAKING THE BUTT TO SMOKEY. MINE IS ALITTLE BITTER FROM TO MUCH SMOKE, BUT WHEN THTE HEAT GOES DOWN I PUT MORE WOOD ON THE FIRE AND IT STARTS SMOKING MORE. WHAT DO I DO. AND ALSO WHERE IS THE NEXT BBQ CONTEST I COULD ENTER TO GET SOME PRACTICE, I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS, EMAIL ME OR IF YOU HACVE TIME MY NO. IS 713-1514.   THANKS  SO MUCH  RANDY

Smoked cabbage

Hi Bill:

Have you ever tried “smoked cabbage”? If not, here is how I do it…

Take a head of cabbage and cut out around the core, like you would take the cap off of a pumpkin…then pour your favorite BBQ sauce in the center of the cabbage head (you can do this step the day before)…as the BBQ sauce sinks in, add more BBQ sauce as the BBQ will work its way into the cabbage (you can also do this step the day before)…as the cabbage is smoking, keep adding BBQ sauce to taste…when the cabbage is fork tender, its done. You may want to pass this along in your next news letter recipes. It’s a great side dish…

The other day, I made a pork butt that I injected with bourbon…the rub added a little extra sweetness and heat…I won’t go any further.

Carl

Turn-in boxes

Does your book have information about how to present the turned-in meat to the judges and/or what the judges are looking for?

I’ve done a few KCBS competitions now. I think we’ve produced decent food to turn in, but I’d like more information about how to get maximum points in presentations and to ensure we are turning in meat that is what the judge expected to see.

Thanks for the info.
- Matt