BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Bradley Smokers => The Digital Smokers (BTDS76P & BTDS108P) => Topic started by: wicz on July 20, 2007, 12:50:13 PM

Title: Chicken Brine
Post by: wicz on July 20, 2007, 12:50:13 PM
I have a newbie question.  What does Brining do to the chicken?  How do you brine?  Does it help with the skin?  Thank you again for the help.
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: LilSmoker on July 20, 2007, 01:16:51 PM
Hi, the brine will help ward off bacteria, and has the added bonus of producing nice moist meat.

I always brine chicken and turkey when doing them BS style, flavoured seasoned brines produce great results too.

I would definately recommend brining poultry, the best way to get crispy skin, is to finish off at a higher heat in a regular oven  ;)

LilSmoker (http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Tip-Hat.gif)
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: Oyènkwara on July 20, 2007, 01:31:13 PM
Check out the recipe site for some good information on brining as well as some recipes:

general Recipes:
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=180 (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=180)

Brining section:
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13 (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13)

I too generally brine my poultry for flavor and moistness.
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: Habanero Smoker on July 20, 2007, 02:12:38 PM
Here are two good introductions to brining. The one on the weber site is a little more organized.

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/brining.html

http://www.cookshack.com/barbeque_guide/101/Brining101.htm
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: NePaSmoKer on July 21, 2007, 06:11:24 AM
Quote from: LilSmoker on July 20, 2007, 01:16:51 PM
Hi, the brine will help ward off bacteria, and has the added bonus of producing nice moist meat.

I always brine chicken and turkey when doing them BS style, flavoured seasoned brines produce great results too.

I would definately recommend brining poultry, the best way to get crispy skin, is to finish off at a higher heat in a regular oven  ;)

LilSmoker (http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Tip-Hat.gif)

Hey Lil

When is dinner done  ;D

Sounds good though my friend.

nepas
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: LilSmoker on July 21, 2007, 06:34:21 AM
Haha! hi Nepas, hope all is good with you?

I'll set you a place at the table just in case you show up  ;)

LilSmoker (http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Tip-Hat.gif)
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: wicz on July 26, 2007, 08:02:34 AM
Can you brine with boneless skinless chicken breast?
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: iceman on July 26, 2007, 08:49:34 AM
You betcha ;) :)
Quote from: wicz on July 26, 2007, 08:02:34 AM
Can you brine with boneless skinless chicken breast?
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: whitetailfan on July 26, 2007, 09:04:34 AM
My favorite commercial product is Hi-Mtn game bird and poulty brine.
Maple based and I use maple pucks.
It is a cure so when you have pink meat, just trust your thermometer  ;)
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: wicz on July 26, 2007, 09:26:43 AM
iceman, Thank you every much for your help.  I know that may have been a dumb question, just want to make sure.  Also, I am only doing a few breasts.  Maybe like 5.  Do I need this much to make my brine?  Or is that for a whole chicken?

    * 4 gallons water
    * 3 cups salt
    * 2 cups sugar
    * 1 cup dry white wine
    * 4 tablespoons black peppercorns
    * 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
    * 1 tablespoon thyme
    * 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: Tiny Tim on July 26, 2007, 10:08:20 AM
Looks like that volume is for multiple whole birds (2 anyway)...for boneless/skinless breasts, I'd say enough to cover them would be sufficient...put 'em in your container with clean water to cover, pull the pieces, and that's how much liquid you'd need...adjust recipe amounts to suit.
Title: Re: Chicken Brine
Post by: iceman on July 26, 2007, 10:26:02 AM
Divided between two buckets that's enough brine for 4 or 6 whole chickens depending on the size. Cut that at least in half and you can also cut the brine time down to a couple of hours for skinless, boneless breast meat.
Quote from: wicz on July 26, 2007, 09:26:43 AM
iceman, Thank you every much for your help.  I know that may have been a dumb question, just want to make sure.  Also, I am only doing a few breasts.  Maybe like 5.  Do I need this much to make my brine?  Or is that for a whole chicken?

    * 4 gallons water
    * 3 cups salt
    * 2 cups sugar
    * 1 cup dry white wine
    * 4 tablespoons black peppercorns
    * 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
    * 1 tablespoon thyme
    * 1 tablespoon lemon zest