Best Cedar Grilling Planks for Summer BBQ 2026
Plank grilling is one of those techniques that sounds fancy but is actually dead simple. You soak a wood board, put your fish or chicken on it, close the lid, and let the smoke do the work.
The results are genuinely different from anything you get with direct heat or even a smoker. The wood steams from below while it smolders at the edges, giving you moist, flavorful results with a subtle smokiness that does not overpower.
Cedar is the most popular choice, but alder and maple bring their own character to the table. Alder is lighter and sweeter, perfect for delicate fish. Maple adds a mild sweetness that works surprisingly well with pork and vegetables. This roundup covers the best planks across all three wood types, from cheap disposable packs to boards you can reuse all summer long.
Best Overall Cedar Plank: Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Planks
Fire & Flavor has been the go-to cedar plank for backyard cooks for years, and for good reason. The planks are cut from actual untreated western red cedar, not some mystery softwood, and they soak up water evenly so you get reliable smoke output from the first minute the lid comes down.
A 4-pack runs about $14, which makes it easy to have a few on hand without overthinking it. They work great on any grill, gas or charcoal, and the size fits a full side of salmon comfortably. For a dinner party of 4 to 6, two planks side by side gives you plenty of room for fish plus a few asparagus spears.
Soak these for at least an hour before grilling. The packaging says 30 minutes, but an hour gives you more steam and less char, which is the better outcome every time.
Fire & Flavor Cedar Grilling Planks (4-Pack)
$14
18,400+ reviews
Consistently cut untreated western red cedar planks that deliver reliable smoke and fit a full salmon fillet with room to spare.
Shop on Amazon →Best Value Multi-Pack: Western Premium BBQ Products Cedar Grilling Planks
If you plan to plank-grill more than a couple times this summer, buying in bulk makes more sense than grabbing a 4-pack every few weeks. Western Premium puts together a 6-pack of cedar planks that comes in around $18, which works out to about $3 per plank.
The planks run thicker than some competitors, and that matters more than people realize. Thinner boards burn faster and give you less margin for error. These hold up through a full 30 to 40 minute cook without charring all the way through, so you can keep the lid closed and trust the process.
Western Premium also produces a consistent product in terms of size. If you are feeding a crowd and using multiple planks at once, having them match up evenly on the grill surface makes the whole operation cleaner.
Western Premium BBQ Products Cedar Grilling Planks (6-Pack)
$18
6,200+ reviews
Thicker-cut cedar planks sold 6 at a time for about $3 each, with the durability to handle longer cooks without burning through.
Shop on Amazon →Best Variety Set for Experimenting: Camerons Products Grilling Plank Set
If you want to figure out which wood works best with your go-to proteins before committing to a full pack, Camerons puts together a variety set with cedar, alder, maple, and cherry planks all in one box. It is a smart way to spend a summer weekend experimenting without stocking a pantry full of different boards.
Alder with salmon is the classic pairing. Cherry works beautifully with duck or pork tenderloin. Maple under a thick chicken breast gives you a subtle sweetness that plays nicely with a honey mustard glaze. You get to run your own taste tests without ordering four separate packs.
Camerons has been making smoking and grilling accessories for a long time, and the quality of the wood here is consistent. The planks in the variety set are sized right for individual portions, which works well for plated dinners for 4 to 6 people rather than a big family-style spread.
Camerons Products Grilling Plank Variety Pack
$29
3,800+ reviews
Cedar, alder, maple, and cherry planks in one box, letting you match the right wood to each protein before committing to a full pack.
Shop on Amazon →Best for Large Fish and Whole Fillets: Charcoal Companion Extra-Large Cedar Grilling Plank
Standard cedar planks are sized around 5 by 11 inches, which is fine for most cuts. But if you are grilling a whole side of salmon or a large trout, you run into edge problems fast. Charcoal Companion makes an extra-large cedar plank that gives you significantly more cooking surface and keeps the whole fillet on the wood instead of hanging over the grate.
The thicker construction on these also means you can flip them after the first cook, rinse them off, and get a second or even third use depending on how hard the cook was. That changes the math on cost per use pretty quickly.
These are best on a kettle grill or a larger gas unit where you have hood clearance for a bigger board. On a smaller two-burner grill, the edges can catch if they hang past the grate, so measure your cooking surface before you order.
Charcoal Companion Extra-Large Cedar Grilling Plank
$22
2,100+ reviews
An oversized cedar plank with the surface area for a full salmon fillet and the thickness to survive multiple cooking sessions.
Shop on Amazon →Best Alder Plank for Delicate Fish: Fire & Flavor Alder Grilling Planks
Alder is the wood that Pacific Northwest cooks reach for when they want smoke that does not compete with what they are cooking. It is lighter than cedar, with a mild sweetness that stays in the background and lets delicate proteins like halibut, cod, or sea bass speak for themselves.
Fire & Flavor makes their alder planks with the same quality control as their cedar, which matters here because improperly dried wood can produce bitter smoke that ruins the whole point. These are food-grade, untreated alder that smell exactly like they should when they heat up.
A 2-pack runs about $13, which is a low barrier to trying something new. If you have been stuck on cedar and never tried alder, start here. The difference on a halibut fillet is noticeable and very much worth the small experiment.
Fire & Flavor Alder Grilling Planks (2-Pack)
$13
4,600+ reviews
Mild, food-grade alder planks that let delicate fish shine without overpowering smoke, at a price that makes experimenting painless.
Shop on Amazon →Best Reusable Plank: Broil King Cedar Grilling Planks
Disposable planks are convenient, but if you are plank-grilling every weekend through June, July, and August, the costs and the trash both add up. Broil King makes a thicker cedar plank designed to be reused multiple times. The construction is noticeably heavier than single-use options, and the wood holds up to repeated soaking and cooking cycles without splitting or warping.
The trick with reusable planks is post-cook care. Scrape them clean while they are still warm, rinse with hot water, and let them dry completely before storing. Skip the soap. A properly maintained Broil King plank can go 4 to 6 sessions before you retire it.
At around $25, it costs more upfront than a disposable pack. Over a full summer of regular use, though, it works out significantly cheaper per cook. These also make a genuinely good gift for someone who already has everything they need for their grill setup.
Broil King Cedar Grilling Planks
$25
1,900+ reviews
Heavy-duty reusable cedar planks built for 4 to 6 cooking sessions, saving money and cutting waste over a full summer of plank grilling.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Plank Grilling
- Soak longer than you think. One hour is the minimum. Two hours is better, especially for thicker cuts that need a longer cook time. The more water in the wood, the more steam and smoke you get before the board starts to char.
- Preheat the plank before adding food. Put the soaked plank directly on the grate over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes before adding anything to it. You will hear it crackle and smell the cedar. That means it is ready.
- Keep a spray bottle nearby. Flames at the edges are normal and even add flavor, but if the whole plank catches, mist the edges with water to manage it. No need to panic, just stay close during the first few minutes.
- Match the wood to the protein. Cedar works with salmon and chicken. Alder is better for halibut, cod, or any delicate white fish. Maple pairs well with pork and chicken. Cherry is excellent with duck or beef tenderloin. Start with these pairings before you get creative.
- Do not open the lid. Plank grilling is all about trapped smoke and indirect heat. Every time you lift the lid, you lose several minutes of cooking progress. Set a timer, trust it, and resist the urge to peek.
- Reuse planks carefully. A used plank can go again if it still has structural integrity and no major charred-through spots. Re-soak it for two hours and check for cracks before putting food on it. When in doubt, retire it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you soak cedar planks before grilling?
At minimum, 30 to 60 minutes. Two hours is better for thicker planks or longer cooks. Submerge the plank completely in water and weigh it down with a heavy pan or bowl if it floats.
Can you reuse cedar grilling planks?
Yes, if the plank still has structural integrity after the first use. Scrape it clean while warm, rinse with hot water, and let it dry completely before storing. Thicker planks handle multiple sessions much better than thin disposable ones.
What is the best wood plank for grilling salmon?
Cedar is the most popular choice and works well for bold-flavored salmon like king or sockeye. Alder is a better pick if you want a subtler smoke that lets the fish flavor come through more clearly.
Can you use grilling planks on a gas grill?
Yes, gas grills work just as well as charcoal for plank grilling. Set the burners to medium, preheat the soaked plank for 3 to 4 minutes, then add your food and close the lid.
Why did my cedar plank catch on fire?
Either the plank was not soaked long enough or the heat was too high. Edge flames are normal, but full ignition means the plank dried out too fast. Soak for a full two hours next time and keep a spray bottle within reach.