One of the reasons to *not* rinse/prewash dishes is if you use an enzyme detergent it needs the food particles to work better. It'll etch glass and stuff if it doesn't have the food particles. I can't explain it well, but it's easy research for a more thorough explanation. Most just recommend scraping the dishes (and really, who wouldn't?!) then into the DW. I haven't had a dishwasher for more than 30 years but I'm starting to miss it. I would get grossed out though when it left stuff on it. When washing by hand and using a good soap it gets clean. Sure, you just put it back in and rewash but it still bugs me. It also bugs me to see people leave dirty dishes in the DW for a week before washing them. Argh! If it takes a week to fill it, you should have a smaller DW or use a top rack only feature. This is what impresses me about the F&P Dish Drawers. And geez, I can wash a few dishes FAR faster than an hour or two for a dishwasher! LOL And when you compare the time to load the dishwasher vs washing, it's pretty close. Time's not a factor. It's the hassle of washing them. I soak my dishes and a quick swish, rinse in HOT water and into the drainer to dry. Putting them away is comparable to time in a DW. Oh, and one thing I found out quickly, the way you load it makes a big difference. You have to learn how the water sprays and make sure it's not blocked for effective washing.

Thanks everyone. I will take the advice...low and slow. I think with that much meat, 6 briskets, it could take as long as 3-4 hours. I may use a large dutch oven on top of the stove for a couple of the briskets. I think trying to cram them all in the Nesco may not work. I'm planning on refrigerating the meat and slicing it the next day. I'll take it to work in several zip locks, and then reheat in the nesco with some of the cooking broth doused on top to moisten. I will cook some small new potatoes in the broth in a crock pot and ditto with some cabbage. Every year I organize a Green Food Day on St. Pat's. It is fun. People bring in all kinds of cakes, cookies, dips, and veggies. Donna, your recipe sounds good. I will try that one for my family.

Not an expert, but what makes it pink is the "corning"... a several day soak in sort of a brine. I don't think it technically even has to be done under refrigeration, but then again, not an expert. If hunka beef, no matter what cut, has not gone thru that "corning" process, would certainly turn out gray after just boiling... and probably wouldn't remotely taste like CB. I have tried to find out if a cut, other than brisket, can be used to corn. Not brisket is NOT corned beef unless it's corned... just a flat-ish cut of beef with LONG fibers running the length. Perfect for something slow... like simmering in a pot, in crock pot, or low and slow on a grill. I buy a corned beef, all ready to cook, in vac seals with that dinky packet of spices included. I add more garlic, a few more bay leaves and maybe a little more pickling spices. Then simmer on stove top till fork tender. Sometimes stop a bit short of fork tender, rub with spice mix for pastrami, and finish in oven. Chunked up cabbage and potatoes go into the liquid after the meat comes out till "done". I like a spicy mustard to dip the corned beef in. Like butter on potatoes and cabbage. Like a drizzle of vinegar on cabbage. Nothing fancy.

I don't worry a lot about it, but I avoid adding them when possible. I made the canadian bacon and the peameal bacon without it, as they were only brined two and three days, respectively. The salt brine for corned beef is going to keep the meat fine for five days in the fridge without an issue, but if I were leaving it for a couple of weeks, I might have second thoughts. Then again, those fancy steakhouses dry age beef for 40 days or more, so there's that, everyone has to make their own choices about what they are comfortable with. I know that 90% of the nitrates in our bodies come from vegetables, and 10% from processed meats, but there's a difference in nitrates. According to the University of Minnesota: "Normally, sodium nitrate in vegetables does not pose the same health risk as nitrites found in processed meat. The nitrites added to processed meats as preservatives and color enhancers can combine with proteins called amines to form compounds called nitrosamines. Nitrosamines have shown cancer-causing potential in animal studies. Nitrates and nitrites themselves do not have cancer-causing potential. Vegetables contain ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C and an antioxidant which helps prevent nitrosamine formation, although it might not completely prevent it. Store fresh cooked vegetables high in nitrates for no more than one to two days in the refrigerator or cook only as much as you plan to eat at one time." So, are you more concerned about the food safety issues with leaving beef in brine alone, or with the nitrates added to your diet? It's strictly your call, the flavor will be there no matter what. Laceyvail, I never thought of corning the tongue, that's a good idea! Do you take the skin off it first, or brine with the skin on? Annie