Grilling Planks

A wooden board used to hold food while it is being grilled, that serves to provide a moist and somewhat smoky flavor to the food as well as preserving the nutrients within the food. The use of a wooden planks was introduced hundreds of years ago as a method to grill food over open fires. As the procedure evolved, a wide range of woods were introduced for use as wood chips placed among hot coals and as planks for use above the hot grilling flames. Hardwoods are much better than softwoods because hardwoods take more heat longer and they also add more flavor to foods through the smoke that is produced as the wood is burned. Softwoods have a tendency to deterioriate by burning more quickly and adding only a slight flavor to the grilled foods.