How to Use Planks

Not to be confused with smoked foods, plank-grilled foods have a less intense taste than fully smoked items and are cooked using completely different methods. Knowing the correct way to grill on a plank will help you build confidence and wow your guests with flavours and smells of a plank-grilled meal.

  1. Soaking the Plank. No matter the size of the plank, it must be soaked in water for at least 1-hour prior to use (max 24 hours). This important step adds moisture that helps the wood from burning completely. If you feel like being creative, you can also add wine, beer, tea, apple juice etc. to the soaking process. The plank needs to be fully submerged so try using a sink or large container and put something heavy on the plank to keep it submerged.
  2. Apply Cooking Oil. To prevent the food item from sticking to the plank (especially salmon skin), apply a very small amount of cooking oil such as Olive Oil to the surface of the plank.
  3. Preheat BBQ. Get the BBQ heated to a med-high temperature (approximately 200 Celsius)
  4. Food Placement. Place food item on the plank with at least a couple of centimeters clearance from the edge of the plank to prevent the food item from burning.
  5. Place the plank with the food item in the center of the BBQ and close the lid.
  6. Cooking time will vary depending on what food item is being cooked. As a guide, a piece of Salmon usually takes between 12-14 minutes depending on size and cooking temperature.
  7. Keep an eye on the plank throughout the cooking process. It’s normal for the plank to smoke but you don’t want it catching fire. To prevent this, it’s always helpful to a have a spray bottle with water close by so you can extinguish any flare-ups with a quick spray and let the cooking process continue.
  8. Our recommendation is not to use the plank more than once as the flavour of the wood will be less intense and the plank will be thinner which could lead to a higher chance of fire. However, if you decide to reuse then we suggest giving the plank a good wash to remove any food residue. The plank will need to be soaked again when it comes time to use.