Cooking two briskets in the oven at the same time can be a bit tricky. It's important to consider the size and weight of the briskets, as well as their cooking times and temperatures. While it may seem convenient to cook both briskets together, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
Firstly, the sizes of the briskets can vary. If you have one larger brisket and one smaller brisket, they will likely cook at different rates. The larger brisket will take longer to cook, while the smaller one may become overcooked if left in the oven for the same amount of time. This can result in a dry and tough texture for the smaller brisket.
Additionally, briskets have a tendency to stall during cooking. The stall is a period where the internal temperature of the meat plateaus, causing a delay in the cooking process. This can happen at different times for each brisket, further complicating the cooking process. One brisket may be ready to wrap in foil to speed up the cooking process, while the other may still be in the stall phase.
To avoid these issues, it's generally best to cook each brisket separately. This allows you to closely monitor the cooking times and temperatures of each piece of meat. It ensures that you can properly adjust the cooking process to achieve the desired tenderness and doneness for each brisket.
That being said, if you do decide to cook both briskets together, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the risks. Firstly, try to select briskets that are similar in size and weight. This will help to reduce the variations in cooking times.
Next, closely monitor the internal temperatures of both briskets using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching any bones. This will give you an accurate reading of the doneness of each brisket.
If you notice that one brisket is cooking faster than the other, you may need to adjust the cooking temperature or position of the briskets in the oven. You can also consider wrapping the smaller brisket in foil to help retain moisture and prevent overcooking.
While it is possible to cook two briskets in the oven at the same time, it is generally recommended to cook them separately to ensure even cooking and avoid overcooking the smaller brisket. If you do choose to cook them together, closely monitor the cooking times and temperatures of each brisket to prevent any issues.