Homemade Cedar Planks

[Foozle]

Has anyone cut their own cedar planks for use in grilling? The price for pre-cut ones in the stores are somewhat pricey for what you get, so I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to cut down a cedar tree on my property and make some planks up. I have several excess cedars so I can spare one or two. Didn't know if there was a trick to doing this like having to age the wood, etc. Also, has anyone tried using other types of planks like cherry or hickory?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[scott_vt]

Has anyone cut their own cedar planks for use in grilling? The price for pre-cut ones in the stores are somewhat pricey for what you get, so I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to cut down a cedar tree on my property and make some planks up. I have several excess cedars so I can spare one or two. Didn't know if there was a trick to doing this like having to age the wood, etc. Also, has anyone tried using other types of planks like cherry or hickory?

Thanks,

Dave

Good Afternoon Dave,
My neighbor cut down a few of his cedar trees and had another friend come over with his portable saw mill to make some planks. The planks ended up being used to replank the floor of his old Power Wagon. Sorry no grilling planks were made at that time !

I have used the store bought planks, and they are very thin and really only good for one grilling session IMO. The exposed edges did get a bit burnt so its something you cant use again. I would think you could make your own, you could slice them fairly thin on a bandsaw if you have one, and of course you need to soak it prior to putting it on the grill.

Let us know how you make out !

 

[czechsonofagun]

I have done it. Just plain old dry cedar I planed down to about half an inch, soaked and grilled on it a salmon. It worked well. It helps to run it through the planer every so often to open new aromatic cells,

 

[schmism]

is there a reason you just cant buy a 6' cedar fence board and plane it down 1/8-1/4" on one side?

6 one foot planks for like $3

 

[WTA]

I'd be scared of doing that because of whatever chemicals might be in it. Go look at any of the big lumber stores and see if any of the cedar looks like it hasn't had something put on it. I can't find any natural wood here at all.

 

[nate_m]

You can use homemade planks as long as the lumber hasn't been treated.
I use pecan myself. Adds great flavor.

I planed a pecan board to about 5/8. Always soak in water for 1 hour before grilling. So far, I have a dozen or more uses from the same board and only a little charring around the edges.

Alder is another popular type of wood.