earliest you would pull briskett??

[nw_bowhunter]

Brisket needs to go 190 to break down otherwise it will be tough. At 160 you can wrap in foil, personally I never do until I pull of the smoker. Also I will wrap in a foil, than a towel and stick in the cooler for hour + just to let all the juices settle

[gaddy]

thanks for all the tips, have done two now in my fathers day gift & cant get the meat temp up past 155. meat is good but not as good as I hear it can be. as a first timer I need all the tips I can get. thanks to you all.
Rubs? the first sucked, way to spicy for the family. second was seasoned as I do the prime rib roast for CHRISTMAS. not bad but seemed abit dry. again couldn't get the temp up to 190. perfect dip sandwiches with onions though.

[WSU]

It will get there if your temp is at 210, but it might take longer than you are giving it.  I like to cook them at 225 to 240 and can generally get them done in day if I put them on first thing in the morning. 

Can you turn the temp up?  If not, try putting them in the night before.

[h20hunter]

gaddy....didn't see what kind of equipment you are working with....what type of grill/smoker are you using?

[huntnnw]

Many will say that a piece of meat can only absorb about 5-6 hrs of smoke...then pull and wrap in foil and finish in oven if you cant get temp