Planked Salmon - Can I Use Eastern Cedar?

[Gordon George]

I've heard and read in previous posts that one shouldn't use eastern white cedar boards when cooking "planked salmon".

However, I now discover a compnay based in Maine that advertises and sells easten white cedar boards specifically for cooking purposes.

I am confused. Can I ... or should I not, use eastern white cedar planks for cooking salmon?

Appreciate all advice!

[nowIamone]

During the summer we cook and serve our entire salmon meals on cedar and alder planks. The tourist love it. The real concern is just going to the lumber yard and buying cedar which may be chemically treated.

[Jock]

But there is cedar and there is cedar. The red aromatic cedar (untreated) is what is typically used and I agree with Gordon that selling white for cooking is confusing. I too have heard that it is poisonous but if this is a reputable company selling it...... well, I don't really know. I'd be curious to find out though.

What is the name of the company?

Jock

[Gordon George]

Jock - here is the website advertising the white cedar planks for cooking salmon

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/plankedsalmon.htm

Confusing to say the least, eh?

[CampChef]

I have cooked on white cedar with no problem several times. You just don't get the smoke and aroma of red cedar.

[Pete]

THE most important thing about cooking on cedar is making sure that you are purchasing untreated wood. The chemicals used to treat cedar are numerous and oftentimes include arsenic so use only untreated wood. BTW, you can buy untreated cedar at most lumberyards and "home" stores such as Home Depot, and it is a lot less expensive than buying at a kitchen shop. The boys, at Home Depot, might look at you funny but make sure they understand how important it is that you get untreated wood. I bought an entire 6 foot length of cedar and cut it into numerous pieces for about 1/2 the price that Williams-Sonoma wanted for 1 board large enough for 1 salmon.