First Pastrami Questions

[Scotty Dog]

Purchased a 12 pound slab of CB today at Costco.  I assume it is cured completely by the time it hits the shelf at my local Costco.  Has anyone used one of these for Pastrami?  Do I need to soak it in water for several hours to pull some brine out?  I have some Uncle Louie's Pastrami rub that I plan on using the night before I smoke it.  From what I have read my guess is that the meat will need to smoke it for 4 hours and cook for 6 to 8 hours more hours until the IT is 165.  What else do I need to know?

[squirtthecat]

Oh man that is going to be a PILE of pastrami!

[Keymaster]

How much $ per pound. I have a costco on the way home and have wanted to do pastrami for a long time.

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[Scotty Dog]

Purchased this at the Fife Business Costco.  The price was $2.79 per pound.  Also picked up a full smoker of cheese to do.  Gouda, Havarti, Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss, and Sharp Cheddar.

[Keymaster]

Thanks, I like the fife costco for businesses. They have a lot of restaurant supplies.

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[Scotty Dog]

Pulled my pastrami out of the oven after 10 hours of cooking with 3.5 hours of smoke.  This meat is way to salty.  I should have soaked it in water for a day before I started.  If you purchase this brand from Costco I would make sure you soak it first.  I guess this might have to be used in the crock pot with black bean soup.

[SnellySmokesEm]

Scotty - I have never soaked a cured corned beef flat before smoking.  Most of the guys on here do.  Did you try the pastrami right out of the smoker?  From what I understand you should let the pastrami rest for a few days.  This should help with the saltiness. 

[SouthernSmoked]

Scotty - I have never soaked a cured corned beef flat before smoking.  Most of the guys on here do.  Did you try the pastrami right out of the smoker?  From what I understand you should let the pastrami rest for a few days.  This should help with the saltiness.

Ditto!!

Scotty, wrap that pastrami up and frig for a day or two before slicing.

[Scotty Dog]

I tested it after a three hour FTC and it was very chewy and salty.  I have wrapped it and put it in the fridge.  I will test it this weekend.  Thanks for the reply.