by Dawn Lewis

Created on: May 29, 2009

Grilling using a plank can be tricky to learn, but with the right steps, the outcome is fabulous. Grilling on a plank became popular for cooking fish cutlets. The plank itself provides a steady and stable place to put your food when grilling and yields a high smoke flavor depending on the wood you choose for your plank. Here are some tips for grilling using a plank.

1) Choose the type of wood you want to use. Cedar is the most popular, but oak, maple, cherry, etc. can provide excellent smoke flavor for your food. Make sure your piece of wood is clean, untreated and is about 1 inch thick. Also, make sure the size is sufficient for the food you are preparing to grill.

2) We know that wood burns and can burn quite quickly when placed near or on an open fire, so it is important that you soak the wood in water for at least an hour before cooking. When we soak the wood it is important that the wood be submerged, not merely floating on top. To do this properly, get a large enough container and fill it with at least five inches of tepid water. Place your wood into the water and then use a weight to hold it down so it won't float. You can use a hand weight that can get wet. You are seeking to keep the wood completely submerged for at least an hour. This cook recommends that you pre-plan and soak the wood for two hours before cooking.

3) When you are ready to cook, take the board out of the water and pat dry. Brush the food side of the board lightly with olive oil or vegetable oil keeping the oil only on the top side. Then, place your prepared food onto the board and take the board to the grill. Each recipe that helps you make the perfect plank grilled dish will tell you the timing on your cooking. Make sure your grill has been heated to high and then reduce the heat to low before placing the plank on the grill.

4) Keep a spray bottle of water handy. If you see the wood drying out too fast, lower the grill heat and spray down any flames with the spray bottle. If necessary, you can move the food plank up to the higher rack and continue cooking using the radiant heat from the grill.

5) When the cooking is done, remove the whole plank with the food using pot holders. Gently slide the food from the plank onto your serving dish and wet down the board again to ensure the fire is out within the confines of the wooden plank. You can get only one use out of each plank. When you are sure there is no fire danger, discard the used wooden plank properly.

Grilling using a plank can be rewarding and flavorful. This kind of cooking also gives you a more healthy way to cook foods without the use of lots of oil or butter. Once you've tried it, you will find many uses for plank grilling. Don't be afraid to experiment. It's a great way to cook!

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