Using Grilling Planks in the Oven
When planking in the oven, you are not looking for a smoky flavor, but rather a fresh wood flavor. That being said, don't expect to see smoke building in your oven. Think of it more as trying to add flavor with steam.
Make sure to soak your plank in warm water! Warm water absorbs into a grilling plank faster than cold water will.
Heat your oven to 400-450 degrees. Under 400 degrees and you won't be able to heat the moisture quickly enough for the wood flavor to absorb into whatever it is you're cooking. Over 450 degrees, and your moisture will vaporize before it gets a chance to infuse the wood flavor.
- If you are looking for a great value on Grilling Planks, make sure to check out our selection of Cedar Grilling Planks
Baking Plank Q&A
Q. Can I use grilling planks in the oven?
A. Yes! Make sure to place a pan under the plank on the bottom rack to catch drippings. This is a much better method than placing the plank directly on a pan, because this will allow for better air circulation and ultimately better flavor transfer.
Q. Do I need to soak my grilling plank if I’m going to bake with it?
A. Yes, soaking the plank will create steam from the heat of the oven, and that’s how the cedar flavor will be carried into your food.
*Make sure to soak your plank in hot tap water for at least 15 minutes before using it in the oven.
Q. Will my food taste smoky if I bake with grilling planks?
A. No, in the oven, your planked dish will steam, but it should not smoke. This will still conduct lots of wood flavor into your food.
Q. What can you plank in the oven?
A. Whatever you want to cook. Some of our favorites are chicken, turkey and salmon, however you can also plank fruits, vegetables and desserts.
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5 comments
Do you need to preheat the plank in the oven before placing meat or fish on it?
Can I use cedar planks on electric grill?
How do you do the frozen plank meals in the oven, should I thaw them first or would it be safe to stick them in the oven frozen?
Roberta,
Thank you for the question. After extensive testing, we have found that you only need to soak your planks in hot tap water for 15 minutes. This goes for grilling and baking alike.
Happy planking!
Is the 15-min soak only for grilling? I’m confirming because you said for oven planking soak it for at least an hour. I’ll be doing it in the oven. And cook at 400 degrees? Oven vs grill was confusing.