How can i use cedar on my gas grill to get that smoky flavor?!
How can i use cedar on my gas grill to get that smoky flavor?
I have a bunch of cedar planks for grilling. I want to use them to smoke lamb, or at least get some smokiness to it. My grill is gas and there is no attachment for smoking or anything. Can you help?
Answers:
wet the cedar then put in a specially designed smoke box or wrap in tin foil and poke a few holes in it that should do the trick
Cut them up into wood chips and throw a few on top of the flames... not too many! Or on the side of the heating element.
First you'll have to make sure there are no preservatives or other chemicals on the wood. Reduce it to chips, soak it in water for a couple of hours and put it in an aluminum pan. Put the pan on the coals in the coolest part of the grill. Put the meat on and keep the lid closed as much as you can.
Normally the Cedar Planks are used for Salmon or other fish. You soaked the plank in water then put your salmon fillet on top and slow cook it. Serve the fish right on the plank.
I'd save the planks and go to the store for some wood chips.
For cooking on the plank see;
http://web.foodnetwork.com/food/web/sear...
i agree. i think fish is the best way to utilize that cedar. especially on a gas grill which isnt designed for smoke. anyways, cedar isnt really what you want to use for smoking meat. try apple wood, or cherry, or even hichory or mesquite. what i would do is buy a cheap kettle style grill and use that exclusively for smoking. you can get them for around 25 bucks. its easy and will not damage your gas grill.
Not sure of the taste of cedar but have used mesquite, hickory and applewood. With a gas grill cut into chips and soak in water put directly on the fire. best bet is to spend $40 on a smoker to get the real smoked flavor. Smoking is cooking at a low heat 200 - 250 for a long time this adds the smoke flavor and raly tenderizes the meat. If you decide to use the gas grill again keep the heat low, most important and time is the answer the longer the better within reason of course