Grilling with wood planks is a unique and interesting way to add additional flavor to your fish and meats. There are a variety of different types of planks available. I received a sample of grilling planks from Rocky Trails recently and had a chance to use them with some fresh Sockeye Salmon on my vacation to Washington.
The planks from Maine Grilling Woods are different from others I’ve seen. According to the their website “competitors’ grilling planks are just like boards from a lumber yard cut to fit the grill. The grill surface is the long grain of the wood. Our Organic Natural Ovals are much different. The trunk of a tree is made up of long tubular cells that go from the roots to the branches carrying water and nutrients to all parts of the tree. The distinctive flavors of each wood species are contained in these cells. Our oval planks slice across these cells and the result is a slow releasing of the wood flavors into your steak, etc. as it cooks on the grill or broils in the oven. It is incredible…You will love our planks and our prices, too!.”
I was excited to try these out for a family dinner on the shore of Lake Goodwin. The planks come in a variety of usual and unusal types of woods. I selected Black Cherry and Sugar Maple for the salmon.
You can see just how different these planks are from the normal “cedar” type planks you’re used to. The first step is the soak the planks in water for about an hour. This is a critical step and don’t short cut it. After the soaking and rub down with olive oil the planks are ready for the salmon.
I seasoned the salmon with some of the best salmon seasoning on earth, “Todd’s Dirt.”
The salmon came out fantastic. You could taste the added flavor from the wood planks. The only option available for cooking was an older gas grill with very little control over the flame. I’m looking forward to giving the planks another try using an indirect cooking method over coals.
All and all Maine Grilling Woods are a great product. They provide you with a unique way to add additional flavor to your grilling and being able to service the grilled meats and fish directly on the grilling planks provides an interesting presentation opportunity.
Maine Grilling woods are available online at www.rockytrail.com.
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I’ve wanted to try wood plank grilling for some time! Great instruction and hot tip on Todd’s Dirt. I’ll have to look into it!
Great post. Lots of info. Thanks