Tri Tip 411 needed

[KyNola]

Have just learned that I have access to "supposedly" black angus tri tip roasts at $4.00/lb.  First question, does that price seem reasonable?  Second question, how big is the average tri tip and lastly, what should I be looking for?  Do they require trimming, etc?

I know this is very popular on the West Coast but have never seen one here in the midwest.

Thank you for your guidance.

[beefmann]

seems to be a good price , im use to seeing tri tip at $ 7.99 lb so I would consider it  reasonable, i have seen tri tip range from 1.5 lb to just over 4 lbs per piece. and most  do require trimming .. trim to  1/4 to 3/8 inch is best

then season  with your favorite rub, let sit for a few hours  so the flavor of the  rub to sink in and smoke... typically 1 hr to 1 hr 15 min per lb and a IT of 150 is great

[squirtthecat]

Oh yeah, 5-6.99/lb here.  And I think they were just different roasts cut into a triangle shape.

[smoker pete]

Have just learned that I have access to "supposedly" black angus tri tip roasts at $4.00/lb.  First question, does that price seem reasonable?  Second question, how big is the average tri tip and lastly, what should I be looking for?  Do they require trimming, etc?

I know this is very popular on the West Coast but have never seen one here in the midwest.

Thank you for your guidance.

$4/lb is very reasonable for Tri-Tip nowadays, let alone Black Angus.  I prefer to find them cryovaced with a fat cap.  I'm used to seeing Tri-Tips in the 3 lb range.  See http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=18303.msg221955#msg221955 for the cryovac Tri-Tips, a really great rub I used before placing the Tip in the fridge overnight and smoking it with Jim Beam.

OBS at 250º, 7 Jim Beam (or Oak) bisquettes.  Pulled at 140º which turned out great for us but some like to pull at around 130º.  I ran a test and pulled at 150º and it was still great.  The money $$hot will make your mouth water ;D

[KyNola]

These are supposedly "choice or better".  Thanks for the info Beefmann and STC and Pete.

[muebe]

Pete is right on point... pull at 130 IT to get results like this from the Bradley

[KyNola]

WOOT WOOT WOOT!  The tri tips are legit.  I ran out there.  This is a small community butcher shop.  He has been butchering for 35 years but readily admitted he had never heard of a tri tip before.  Said "Had to look them up on the internet.  It's very popular in CA."  Drew me a pic of where the tri tip is located and he was spot on from what you guys have said in other posts about them.  They are small, averaging 2.5-2.75 lbs.  I say "they" because there are 5 of them living in my freezer right now!  He also smiled and said I would probably never see them again at $4.00/lb. :-[

[muebe]

You are gonna love em ;)

[KyNola]

Yep, excited about this.  I'm thinking Gunpowder rubbed tri tips are in my future this weekend.  Supposed to be in the 40's on Sat and 50 on Sunday, sunny both days.

Got 7 inches of snow yesterday, expecting 1-2 more tomorrow. >:(

[muebe]

Also stuff one with some garlic slices before you smoke. Make some small slits and slip the slices into the meat. Then sear the outside on a hot oiled skillet for a minute on each side to close the slits and set the gunpowder rub. Then coat again and smoke. Try one like that and tell me what you think.....

[classicrockgriller]

The cple of tri's I've done I used a simple salt/pepper/garlic powder rubb (not a lot)

and they were great.

So the Black powder may go great with it if you don't get too heavy on the shakes.