When Doni and I are planning a cedar plank salmon dinner it’s my job to provide the planks.
Though cedar boards can be purchased at any number of kitchen supply stores, I’ve even seen them at Carmonas Appliance Center, hardware stores, grocery stores and gift shops.
I’ve found it most efficient and least costly to go to a lumber yard and buy cedar boards to make my own planks.
If you buy packaged cedar-planks, expect to pay about $12 for about 4 18-inch boards.
But if you cut your own, you will pay about $2 for the same four boards. For efficiency, I buy about six fence boards at a time and have enough for the summer grilling season.
It’s easy for me to make boards since I happen to have a wood shop on site, but for those of you who don’t, here’s a trick to save a few dollars and impress your dinner guests with your McGyver skills.
Go somewhere like Home Depot and buy some untreated, 6-foot cedar fencing. It will cost you about $2 a board. (The reason cedar is not usually treated is it’s naturally rot-resistant.)
An employee will take the wood to the back of the store and cut it to any length you choose. You can cut lengths for different size salmon and even cut some for individual servings.
On your way out of the store pick up a couple of sheets of 80-grit sandpaper. When you get home lightly sand the boards.
Though I like having fiber in my diet, I prefer not to get it in the form of splinters.
Tip: After the boards are cut and sanded, leave them in the sun for a few days to really dry out. It helps bring out the natural cedar scent when they get hot.
Bon appetit!
