Cedar Planking ? Cedar smoke ?

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 05-15-2008, 03:49 PM

OK, I don't get it. What is the deal with cedar planking? I thought that cedar was unsuitable for smoking.

From the Naked Whiz web site:

"The following woods are not suitable for smoking:

Softwoods or evergreen woods (Pine, Fir, Spruce, Redwood, Cedar, Cypress, etc.), Elm, Eucalyptus, Sassafras, Sycamore, Liquid Amber (Sweetgum), Chokecherry, green Cottonwood."

Doesn't planking impart cedar smoke to the food? Isn't that the whole point?

Crüe-B-Cüe · 05-15-2008, 03:55 PM

I had salmon on a cedar plank once. Did not like the taste at all.

OSD · 05-15-2008, 04:02 PM

The planks are soaked in water and the meat is placed on the plank then onto the grill grate. They are usually used on a grill and don't really smoke, sometimes the edges burn a little.

They are not being used as smoking wood in the fire.

crome · 05-15-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crüe-B-Cüe

I had salmon on a cedar plank once. Did not like the taste at all.

ditto !

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 05-15-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSD

The planks are soaked in water and the meat is placed on the plank then onto the grill grate. They are usually used on a grill and don't really smoke, sometimes the edges burn a little.

They are not being used as smoking wood in the fire.

I was under the impression that the bottom of the plank gets charred so wouldn't cedar smoke be introduced to the cooking chamber?

BBQchef33 · 05-15-2008, 05:03 PM

Cedar is carniferous, or odiferous.. or one of those oferous things that means SOFT WOOD and holds its leaves year round. Similar to pine, its unsuitable to use as a fuel source.

using cedar(pine, etc..) in your firebox will release resins and tars that taint the food and give it bitter taste, not to mention can ruin your pit.

when u use it on the grill, its a well soaked wet plank. Your cooking ON it.. its not in the firebox or coming in direct contact with the fire. So, 1 - it never ignites, 2- since it chars somewhat on the bottom, it releases a small amount of smoke/cedar flavor thru the wood and directly into the food laying on top of it. Its not "burning" in any way and is not releasing the tars and resins..

i used it 100% on the grill.. I cant see using it in a pit(except an egg or uds, or something that is somewhat direct). Using it indirect or in and offset, I dont think will have the same effect. maybe one of us have done it indirect and can comment, but one thing for sure, its not going to char.

jestridge · 05-15-2008, 05:13 PM

It be like licking on an electric pole

05-15-2008, 03:49 PM	#1
HeSmellsLikeSmoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-02-07 Location: Warren, Vermont	Cedar Planking ? Cedar smoke ? OK, I don't get it. What is the deal with cedar planking? I thought that cedar was unsuitable for smoking. From the Naked Whiz web site: "The following woods are not suitable for smoking: Softwoods or evergreen woods (Pine, Fir, Spruce, Redwood, Cedar, Cypress, etc.), Elm, Eucalyptus, Sassafras, Sycamore, Liquid Amber (Sweetgum), Chokecherry, green Cottonwood." Doesn't planking impart cedar smoke to the food? Isn't that the whole point? __________________ Jim - Another transplanted Texan Former KCBS CBJ Large and Medium Big Green Eggs , Black 18.5" WSM, Blue Weber Performer - Stainless, Green Weber OTG Kettle , Brinkmann SnP Pro, and a Stainless UDS. One retired Portable Kitchen grill. Red Thermapen, Maverick ET-732, EdgePro Apex Sharpener. Avatar is the original 1951 Weber Kettle

05-15-2008, 03:55 PM	#2
Crüe-B-Cüe is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-25-07 Location: Mobile, AL	I had salmon on a cedar plank once. Did not like the taste at all. __________________ Wes - Mobile, AL - Large Big Green Egg, MES 40

05-15-2008, 04:02 PM	#3
OSD is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-22-05 Location: Pinellas Park, Fl.	The planks are soaked in water and the meat is placed on the plank then onto the grill grate. They are usually used on a grill and don't really smoke, sometimes the edges burn a little. They are not being used as smoking wood in the fire. __________________ Jim

05-15-2008, 05:03 PM	#6
BBQchef33 Grand Poobah and Site Admin Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Long Island, NY Name/Nickname : Phil	Cedar is carniferous, or odiferous.. or one of those oferous things that means SOFT WOOD and holds its leaves year round. Similar to pine, its unsuitable to use as a fuel source. using cedar(pine, etc..) in your firebox will release resins and tars that taint the food and give it bitter taste, not to mention can ruin your pit. when u use it on the grill, its a well soaked wet plank. Your cooking ON it.. its not in the firebox or coming in direct contact with the fire. So, 1 - it never ignites, 2- since it chars somewhat on the bottom, it releases a small amount of smoke/cedar flavor thru the wood and directly into the food laying on top of it. Its not "burning" in any way and is not releasing the tars and resins.. i used it 100% on the grill.. I cant see using it in a pit(except an egg or uds, or something that is somewhat direct). Using it indirect or in and offset, I dont think will have the same effect. maybe one of us have done it indirect and can comment, but one thing for sure, its not going to char. __________________ Site Administrator and Grand PooBah CBJ with a Fuzzy Blue Hat, 18 Foot Competition Trailer, Customized Klose BYC, Custom Built Shirley built to feed our Veterans(A.K.A "Abrams"), 1 Double Barreled Lang 84, 1 Heavily Modified Bionic Bandera, 1 Custom Super Medium Stickburning Spicewine w/stoker, 2 XL BGE, 1 Mini BGE, 2 Pit Barrel Cookers, 3 WSMs, 3 Weber Kettles, an NB Hondo, A Modified Brinkman Horizontal, DCS 48" Grill, a Broilmaster P3, a Blackstone 36 and 17, a covered, pellet pooping FEC100, and our duck died. :( News Flash: "A mans worth is judged by the weight of his integrity " You know your getting older when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy Smoke on KC. WWW.BBQ-BRETHREN.COM

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05-15-2008, 05:13 PM	#7
jestridge somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 12-28-07 Location: annville ky	It be like licking on an electric pole