FREE BBQ COOK TOOL
Brisket Cook-Time Calculator
Enter the brisket weight, pit temperature, and dinner time. Get a start time plus windows for bark checks, wrapping, probing, resting, and slicing.
SHORT ANSWER
How long does brisket take to smoke?
At 250°F, start with about 1 hour 15 minutes per pound for planning. A 12-pound brisket starts near 15 hours. Add smoker warm-up, a finish buffer, and the rest. The real cook may be several hours shorter or longer.
Use the tool
Enter dinner time, brisket weight, pit temperature, wrap method, and the amount of rest you want.
The calculator and printable result load on this page. No account is required.
Why the plan finishes early
A brisket that is ready early can be held safely. A brisket that is still tight at dinner cannot be rushed. The schedule leaves room for a slow stall and protects the rest.
What actually decides when it is done
Use internal temperature to know when to start checking. The flat is ready when a probe slides into several spots with very little resistance. Record the finish time and texture so your next estimate uses your own cooker history.
How the starting estimate is calculated
- 225°F: 1 hour 33 minutes per pound
- 250°F: 1 hour 15 minutes per pound
- 275°F: 1 hour 1 minute per pound
- Cook range: 15% under to 18% over the starting estimate
- Finish buffer: 10% of estimated cook time, with a 90-minute minimum
These are scheduling assumptions. Use your own smoker history when you have it.
Keep the plan with the cook
Save this cook plan, receive reminders and track temperatures with Smokin' Log.
Save and track on the web