Can cedar planks be used in the oven?

[crankin]

I've seen a number of recipes for cedar plank salmon that say that you can also do it in the oven. Is this a wise thing to do? Wouldn't the smoke cause a problem in the oven?

[MostlyWater]

the directions on ours said you could. since they burned up on the grill, i'll never know ....

[crankin]

See, that is my concern exactly. Is it a good idea to have something burn up in your oven?

[kitchenelf]

You've got to soak the planks first, did you do that MW?

[MostlyWater]

oh, i soaked them all right. directions said 2-3 hours; we soaked them for FIVE. biggest bunch a smoke you ever saw ...

[kitchenelf]

Wow - I guess it's not ok then...glad I could help

[Michael in FtW]

Cedar planks in an over would probably be safe - but mostly ineffective. The flavor comes from the cedar being heated up to the point that the resin in the wood begins to melt and contribute to the smoke - and the flavor really comes from the smoke. That is why the cedar planks are soaked in water - to produce smoke and reduce burning (like soaking hickory wood chips to use for smoking something) when used over a bed of coals on a grill/campfire.

You can achieve a similar result if you have access to some red cedar to build your fire ... the cedar provides a "sweetness" to the smoke that you will not get from other resinous woods - like pine (which IMHO is just nasty).

I also like to marinate a piece of cow like a round steak in peach/apricot/blackberry brandy or bourbon ... then cook over a bed or red cedar coals ... so sweet it almost hurts your teeth.

[roadfix]

I shoved my plank in this tiny kiln last night. It barely fit. Fish turned out good.

[Kahlua]

I soaked my cedar planks for about 2 hours. My oven was already preheated to 450F. I brushed them with a little olive oil and placed my stuffed salmon fillets on top. after about 7 minutes I checked them I had smoke. Not too much, I simply opened the balcony and cracked the oven every couple of minutes. After about 4 more minutes I reduced the heat to 300F added my garlic bread. Soon I had a wonderful dinner I had the cedar planks that are still shaped like the natural tree and we ate right off of them.