I've bar-b-qued salmon and steelhead for 35+ years, using a Weber Grill but The Tacoma News Tribute had some recipes that sounded good but talked about used cedar or adler "plank's" to get even more favor.

My questions is ---- Where does a person get cedar or alder "planks" for bar-b-queing fish?????

Thanks for any help ....


"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"....

You can get them at any supermarket. They have them at both Safeway and Fred Meyers down here. They are usually in the meat or seafood section around 6 bucks I think and you are only supposed to use them once.

What has this world come to when a guy from Grays Harbor can't find a cedar shake?

DrifterWA

I just had some big alders cut down at my place. You are welcome to bring a chain saw and cut some logs into 2 ft sections for making planks. PM me with a phone number if you are interested.

.80 cent untreated cedar fence boards cut them in cute fishy shapes and give as gifts

Buy cheap untreated cedar at the lumberyard or harware store. There's nothing luke bbq salmon on cedar. Soak the wood for a couple hour before grilling. If the wood smokes, let it because that is just great flavor.

wow: Thanks for the fast responses. Have never seen them at Safeway or Top Food but maybe just haven't look "right at them".

Doc---Thanks for the offer, have alder on my extra lot........a big one has to go this summer.

Have the "cedar shakes" left over from a project 10 yrs. ago.

Guess I assumed that they were a certain size and thickness........

Maybe I'll just stay with my Weber, throw the green adler leaves, until September, then just use adler sticks to get that "special favor".

Thanks again!!!!!!

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

The complete "plankers" web site. (Only for those who already have everything imaginable.) web page

$17.95 for 4 one-time use planks.... plus S&H... that's pretty steep even for MD wages.

If you gotta buy 'em, DrifterWA, Safeway Aberdeen sells them.... look on top of the freezer island at the back of the store near the meat department.

I know, you shouldn't post directions to zipperlips... hold the flamethrowers!

Would the cut-offs you can buy at the local saw mill work? Don't know about Washington but in Indiana you can buy this stuff for a couple bucks a truckload.

Maybe its just me, but I think Salmon cooked on a cedar plank is nasty. I have had it a few times and some thought it was great, I just don't think "wood" is a good flavor. I'll take mine with butter and lemon anytime, but throw the wood on the fire, and the fish on the BBQ..

We use this method all the time, works great but two considerations:

1. You're imparting just a hint of smokiness, the grill needs to be well vented, otherwise the smoke flavor WILL BE overpowering.

2. I understand the planks sold in stores are of food-grade quality. You cannot DIYS and use a chain saw because of the lubricants. I assume this would be true of the commercially milled stuff too. So, to do it yourself it's strictly 'old-school style' using an axe and shake splitter.

Drifter,

Have done the cedar fence board, and the alder split off of rounds. Love them both. Soak it, coat the fish side with olive oil, and throw it on a cranked up Weber directly over the coals.

Carefull when removing, the plank is hot and the fish will try to slide right off.

Enjoy