What am I missing?

[BBQ97229]

Trying to understand when using resinous (fir, pine) wood for smoking is taboo yet cedar plank salmon is okay. What am I missing?

[realdocBBQ]

Not actually burning the cedar plank and not doing long low and slow cooks.

I don't know particularly though, I don't eat fish, so I don't do cedar plank anything.

[hoovarmin]

Cedar planking is a nice presentation, and that is it. You certainly don't want it catching fire and smoking. It doesn't add anything to the salmon.

[jfmorris]

Yep. I did it once or twice 20 years ago, after seeing folks like Steven Raichlen do it on TV, but then realized it was a waste of wood and money...

[HawkerXP]

I was going to say a PBC. But that's not what you're asking.

Ceder plank, yes, something to keep your fish from sticking to the grate. Not really for smoking. I believe each plank is a one use only item.. I know someone who uses them multiple times.

[randy.56]

Cedar and Pine have high resin, high in sap. only hardwoods for smoking. Not soft woods.

Edit: Thought of something else, you could make people sick by using soft woods.

[TripleB]

There are some hardwoods (angiosperms) that are soft that can be used for smoking, like Alder. It’s the gymnosperms (pine, cedar, spruce) softwoods that you watch out for because of the resins. So it is really gymnosperms you have to watch out for, not “softwoods”.

[Troutman]

Just ditch cedar planks unless you like having something to cook the fish on. Plenty of better options from baskets to PhatMats. It's really akin to beer can chicken, a myth propagated by those who want to sell you some wood planks.

[N227GB]

GrillGrates works here as well.

[JCBBQ]

Cedar plank is a fast cook. You cook the fish on the cedar plank above the flame. The cedar doesn’t catch on fire. I think it was a native way to cook salmon in the north west. Could’ve just made that up.

That’s all I got. I did it once. It was ok but not worth doing again.

[Rob Johnston]

Glad I took a look at this thread. I totally just learned something. Thanks all!

[Smoker_Boy]

You see them use these a lot on cooking competions.
Whenever they use these on Firemasters, they always catch on fire!

[mrteddyprincess]

The exception is if you're cooking carp. Then you cook the fish, throw it away, and eat the cedar plank.

[Troutman]

https://amazingribs.com/more-technique-and-science/more-cooking-science/mythbusting-planking/

[IowaGirl]

I can't say cedar planks do anything special when cooking fish that a silicone mat can't do. But I really liked the blended aroma of the cooked fish on the warmed cedar. That was really appealing. So cooking fish on a cedar plank does have some sensory appeal.

[smokenoob]

planking sounds like something we did in college right after beer pong….

[Troutman]

We used to bet on Pong (the first video game that is, not the drunkin sot type)

[smokenoob]

Troutman remember it well!

[Greygoose]

cedar planked salmon on the Santa Maria
It was real good and a lil smoke from the wood fire,,,
grilled pineapple and peppers