Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I tested collagen rendering using beef tendon and the results were wild:
140°F = 5 DAYS to get tender
190°F = about 11 HOURS
Turns out brisket tenderness is really about collagen breaking down over time and temperature.
Most of the tenderness happens at the END of the cook… not the beginning.
In this short I break down the simple brisket tenderness model I’ve been building using real BBQ experiments and meat science.
Cook like a pitmaster. Think like a scientist.
#bbq #brisket #smokedbrisket #bbqtips #bbqscience #meatscience #offsetsmoker #smokingmeat #briskettips #brisketrecipe #barbecue #bbqlife #smoketrailsbbq #foodscience #pelletgrill
Link to Brisket Holding/Tenderness Model and Calculator (at bottom of post): smoketrailsbbq.com/brisket-holding-masterclass-and-tenderness-model
Big Al BBQ Electric Cambro video: youtube.com/watch?v=hnusJBRz0JQ&t
Vevor Holding Oven: https://s.vevor.com/QT0GGQ
Editvideo editing service: editvideo.io/?via=steve
Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal, Wood, Knives and Smokers: kqzyfj.com/click-100151489-15820688
Get Smoke Trails BBQ Brisket Rub here! smoketrailsbbq.com/product/smoke-trails-bbq-brisket-rub
Amazon: amazon.com/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-BRISKET-Brisket/dp/B0CBY1DB1F?maas=maas_adg_FD8A77754091229A1818F9E4E8672EB9_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Get LET'S GOW General Purpose BBQ Rub here!
amazon.com/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-GENERAL-PURPOSE/dp/B0DDCZ5KB3?maas=maas_adg_695D4D73A61D2AF72E706B44A54AA7FA_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Canada (Brisket Rub): amazon.ca/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-Brisket-Canada/dp/B0FX34JH8R
Canada (GP Rub): amazon.ca/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-GENERAL-PURPOSE/dp/B0FX5L7SFQ
CALGARY: Get Floating Stone Wagyu at FARM TO FLAME and use "STBBQ10" on checkout for 10% off: farmtoflameyyc.ca (Email them to put in an order if you don't see it up on the site right away: farmtoflameyyc.ca/pages/contact)
_______________
JOIN MY PATREON:
patreon.com/smoketrailsbbq
______________
GET INVOLVED IN THE SMOKE TRAILS COMMUNITY
Smoke Trails BBQ Nerds Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/smoketrailsbbqnerds
Instagram: instagram.com/smoketrailsbbq
_______________
RECCOMENDED PRODUCTS
Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal, Wood, Knives and Smokers: kqzyfj.com/click-100151489-15820688
Thermoworks thermometers and high temp silicone: thermoworks.sjv.io/3J2gYd
Get Smokin' Pecan Pellets here for 10% off by using code SMOKETRAILS on checkout!: smokinpecan.com/smoketrails (first time customers only)
Try Smoke Trails BBQ Brisket Rub on your next brisket! You can get it here: amazon.com/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-BRISKET-Brisket/dp/B0CBY1DB1F?maas=maas_adg_FD8A77754091229A1818F9E4E8672EB9_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Grill Gun: Get the GRILL GUN here (and use discount code STBBQ on checkout for 10% OFF): grillblazer.com/?ref=STBBQ
Use code "Smoke Force" for 10% off rubs, sauces and more at pitmasterbbqsupply.com
14" Slicing Knife: dalstrong.com/products/gladiator-series-14-extra-long-slicer?ref=Uyvk8IGreALzw
Gloves in a Bottle: amzn.to/3JQYXyt
Oklahoma Joes Fire Basket: amzn.to/3wmSJz9
Cutting board (get a big one with juice channels, trust me): amzn.to/2JesAhj
Cotton Gloves: amzn.to/3YUCwyw
Black Nitrile Gloves: amzn.to/31WPIaO
Heavy duty rubber gloves (When you get sick of throwing out all your disposable gloves): amzn.to/3EwEe0M
Reynolds Wrap Pitmasters Choice Aluminum Foil (for wrapping): amzn.to/2HMsYDe
Butcher paper (also for wrapping): amzn.to/2HQUgbl
Wood chunks (for the Oklahoma Joe’s, Weber Kettle, WSM etc.): amzn.to/3kqz6Va
Wood chips (for electric smokers): amzn.to/2TBG2xL
This video contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission to help support my channel when you purchase through these links.
I tested collagen rendering using beef tendon and the results were wild:
140°F = 5 DAYS to get tender
190°F = about 11 HOURS
Turns out brisket tenderness is really about collagen breaking down over time and temperature.
Most of the tenderness happens at the END of the cook… not the beginning.
In this short I break down the simple brisket tenderness model I’ve been building using real BBQ experiments and meat science.
Cook like a pitmaster. Think like a scientist.
#bbq #brisket #smokedbrisket #bbqtips #bbqscience #meatscience #offsetsmoker #smokingmeat #briskettips #brisketrecipe #barbecue #bbqlife #smoketrailsbbq #foodscience #pelletgrill
Link to Brisket Holding/Tenderness Model and Calculator (at bottom of post): smoketrailsbbq.com/brisket-holding-masterclass-and-tenderness-model
Big Al BBQ Electric Cambro video: youtube.com/watch?v=hnusJBRz0JQ&t
Vevor Holding Oven: https://s.vevor.com/QT0GGQ
Editvideo editing service: editvideo.io/?via=steve
Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal, Wood, Knives and Smokers: kqzyfj.com/click-100151489-15820688
Get Smoke Trails BBQ Brisket Rub here! smoketrailsbbq.com/product/smoke-trails-bbq-brisket-rub
Amazon: amazon.com/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-BRISKET-Brisket/dp/B0CBY1DB1F?maas=maas_adg_FD8A77754091229A1818F9E4E8672EB9_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Get LET'S GOW General Purpose BBQ Rub here!
amazon.com/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-GENERAL-PURPOSE/dp/B0DDCZ5KB3?maas=maas_adg_695D4D73A61D2AF72E706B44A54AA7FA_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Canada (Brisket Rub): amazon.ca/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-Brisket-Canada/dp/B0FX34JH8R
Canada (GP Rub): amazon.ca/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-GENERAL-PURPOSE/dp/B0FX5L7SFQ
CALGARY: Get Floating Stone Wagyu at FARM TO FLAME and use "STBBQ10" on checkout for 10% off: farmtoflameyyc.ca (Email them to put in an order if you don't see it up on the site right away: farmtoflameyyc.ca/pages/contact)
_______________
JOIN MY PATREON:
patreon.com/smoketrailsbbq
______________
GET INVOLVED IN THE SMOKE TRAILS COMMUNITY
Smoke Trails BBQ Nerds Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/smoketrailsbbqnerds
Instagram: instagram.com/smoketrailsbbq
_______________
RECCOMENDED PRODUCTS
Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal, Wood, Knives and Smokers: kqzyfj.com/click-100151489-15820688
Thermoworks thermometers and high temp silicone: thermoworks.sjv.io/3J2gYd
Get Smokin' Pecan Pellets here for 10% off by using code SMOKETRAILS on checkout!: smokinpecan.com/smoketrails (first time customers only)
Try Smoke Trails BBQ Brisket Rub on your next brisket! You can get it here: amazon.com/Smoke-Trails-BBQ-BRISKET-Brisket/dp/B0CBY1DB1F?maas=maas_adg_FD8A77754091229A1818F9E4E8672EB9_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Grill Gun: Get the GRILL GUN here (and use discount code STBBQ on checkout for 10% OFF): grillblazer.com/?ref=STBBQ
Use code "Smoke Force" for 10% off rubs, sauces and more at pitmasterbbqsupply.com
14" Slicing Knife: dalstrong.com/products/gladiator-series-14-extra-long-slicer?ref=Uyvk8IGreALzw
Gloves in a Bottle: amzn.to/3JQYXyt
Oklahoma Joes Fire Basket: amzn.to/3wmSJz9
Cutting board (get a big one with juice channels, trust me): amzn.to/2JesAhj
Cotton Gloves: amzn.to/3YUCwyw
Black Nitrile Gloves: amzn.to/31WPIaO
Heavy duty rubber gloves (When you get sick of throwing out all your disposable gloves): amzn.to/3EwEe0M
Reynolds Wrap Pitmasters Choice Aluminum Foil (for wrapping): amzn.to/2HMsYDe
Butcher paper (also for wrapping): amzn.to/2HQUgbl
Wood chunks (for the Oklahoma Joe’s, Weber Kettle, WSM etc.): amzn.to/3kqz6Va
Wood chips (for electric smokers): amzn.to/2TBG2xL
This video contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission to help support my channel when you purchase through these links.
