...as far as temp- i never go by temp with a brisket. I use a temp probe or a toothpick to test the tenderness. When in goes in like butter it is done. I have had them go anywhere from 195* to 210*
Same here. I don't even bother checking the internal temp of a brisket.
Just a little more detail added to what Gus said: When you stick a probe in the brisket to check for tenderness, if there's any resistance then that means it's not done because the connective tissues have not yet broken down (no matter what the temperature is). Just cover it back up and check again in about 30 minutes. When it's done the probe will slide in easily (almost like soft butter).
Once done and tender, you can let it rest, if you want, to let it cool a bit before handling it, but for brisket (or pork shoulders) done with this method the rest is not a necessity, because you know the meat fibers have already broken down, so there's literally nothing left to rest. If it's done way ahead of time, then by all means wrap it and stick it in a cooler to keep it hot until ready to serve.
Spritzing/Mopping is a personal choice. Some guys love spritzing or mopping and some don't. Just be aware that if you do spritz or mop, it will add time to your cook because every time you open the lid heat is lost. I gave up spritzing/mopping years ago.
What you spritz or mop with is also a personal choice.
Water pan: First, a water pan is not always needed. If you live in an area where the humidity is high, you probably won't get much benefit (if any) from a water pan. Here in Ohio, during the Summer, when humidity is high, I don't add one. But during the Winter, when the air is dry, I some kind of pan or a couple cans of hot water to the pit. Why hot water? Because it starts adding humidity right away.
It can be a large flat pan underneath the brisket, a loaf pan, or even just a couple tin cans set somewhere in the pit. The key is if the air is dry, then get some humidity into your pit!
Here's a brisket I did during the late Winter with a simple can of hot water added. In the second pic you can see the water is basically gone, meaning it did its job.
That's my 2¢, for what it's worth!
