For most fish, the best wood for smoking fish is a mild one. Alder is a useful starting point for a mild smoke flavor; apple and cherry offer other gentle options. [1] For salmon and other fish and seafood, a light wood such as apple, cherry or alder works well. [2] That keeps the smoke in the background so the fish still tastes like fish. Learn more in Best Electric Smokers for Backyard Cooking in 2026.
If you want one pack for salmon and other foods, Wood Fire 12-Pack Cedar Grilling Planks for Salmon, Beef & More is the first pick for home cooks. The pack holds 12 planks. The maker says the planks suit salmon, pork and grilled fruits and vegetables, and the quick steps are on a QR code on the package.
The rest of this article compares four cedar planks, from a single-serving size to a pack built for large fillets, so you can match the plank to the fish you cook.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Item weight | Weight | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wood Fire 12-Pack Cedar Planks | Salmon and Mixed Foods | — | — | 4.6 of 5 (2,430 reviews) | |
Grill Gourmet Cedar Planks | Buyers Who Want More Smoke | 4.3 ounces | 4.3 ounces | 4.4 of 5 (11,140 reviews) | |
Wildwood Single-Serving Planks | One-Portion Meals | — | — | 4.1 of 5 (123 reviews) | |
Weber Firespice Cedar Planks | Large Fillets | 0.27 g | 0.27 g | 4.4 of 5 (903 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
Wood Fire 12-Pack Cedar Planks: Best for Salmon and Mixed Foods
Wood Fire 12-Pack Cedar Grilling Planks is the first pick for home cooks who want one pack for salmon and other foods. The pack holds 12 planks, and the maker lists salmon, pork, chicken and vegetables as uses.
The planks are made of Western Red Cedar, which the maker says gives a subtle smoky taste and fresh cedar flavor. That mild smoke suits delicate fish, so the wood adds flavor without overpowering the meat.
Each plank measures 5 x 11 inches, so you can plan how many fit on your grill at once. The planks work on gas grills, charcoal grills or in the oven, and the maker lists them as oven safe. Scan the QR code on the package for the instructions.
The maker says the wood is sustainably sourced and made in the USA.
Pros
Twelve planks in one pack, so you have spares for several cookouts.
Made in the USA, with cedar that works for fish and other foods.
Buyers say the planks add a nice smoke flavor to food.
Buyers say the planks are good quality and well made.
Cons
Buyers complain that some planks are too small for grilling fish. If you cook large fillets, check the size of each plank before you start.
Buyers complain that some planks are thinner than they expected, which can mean they char faster on the grill.
If you cook large fillets, the Weber® Firespice™ Cedar Grilling Planks is the pick sized for them.
Grill Gourmet Cedar Planks: Best for Buyers Who Want More Smoke
Grill Gourmet Cedar Planks are the pick for buyers who want more smoke from each cook. The maker lists textured planks that it says give more smoke and more flavor. For a buyer who wants a bolder cedar taste on fish, that stated texture is the main reason to look at this pack.
The maker lists each plank at 5.5 x 11 inches and one-third inch thick, and calls the thickness an upgrade. A thicker plank holds more water and lasts a little longer on the grill before it chars, so you can usually get through a full fillet without swapping planks mid-cook. The pack includes 12 planks, which gives you enough for several meals before reordering.
The maker states the planks are made and sourced in the USA, and that grilling instructions come with the pack. If you are buying a set as a gift, the maker also lists it as suited to gifts or home use. You do not need to hunt for a separate guide before your first cook.
Pros
Textured surface that the maker says gives more smoke and flavor
12 planks in one pack, thicker than standard planks
Made and sourced in the USA, with instructions included
Buyers say the thicker planks feel sturdier when they handle them on the grill
Cons
The maker says the planks are for single use only, so each plank is used once and you will go through the pack faster
If you cook for a family and want the planks to cover several foods, look at PRODUCT 1 as the first pick for salmon and mixed foods.
Wildwood Single-Serving Planks: Best for One-Portion Meals
Wildwood Single-Serving Planks are the pick for one-portion meals: a single salmon fillet, one chicken breast, or a small batch of shrimp. The maker sizes them at 3.5 x 7 inches, which is built for one serving rather than a full sheet of wood.
The maker states the planks are made in Idaho from Western Red Cedar and produced in a food safe facility. For you, that means the wood is the cedar species most cedar-plank recipes call for, and you do not have to cut a larger board in half to fit one dinner. The maker also says the planks are slightly thinner so they warm quickly and release their flavor fast, which suits a weeknight meal.
The maker says the planks suit more than fish, including chicken, fruit and vegetables. Buyers say the cedar planks work well and perform great for grilling.
Pros
Sized for one serving, so you use less wood per dinner
Made in the USA from Western Red Cedar
Buyers say the planks perform well on the grill
Cons
The planks are small, and buyers say they are smaller than expected
A family meal needs several planks, so the cost per serving is higher
If you cook for a family or want a larger plank for big fillets, look at Weber Firespice Cedar Planks instead.
Weber Firespice Cedar Planks: Best for Large Fillets
Weber FirespiceTM Cedar Grilling Planks are a good pick if you cook large fillets and want a cedar plank sized to fit them.
The maker says the planks are made from sustainably harvested cedar wood and add a savory cedar flavor to the fish. For you, that means a plank that is sourced responsibly and gives a noticeable cedar taste, which suits salmon and other seafood.
A two-plank pack covers one or two big meals.
Pros
Adds a savory cedar flavor
Made from sustainably harvested cedar
How do you choose wood for smoking fish?
Start with alder if you are new to smoking fish, since it gives a mild smoke flavor [1]. Apple and cherry are gentle options too [1]. These woods add flavor without taking over the fish, which makes them a safe first batch.
Lighter and fruity woods are the safer pick for delicate fish [3]. Hickory and mesquite create a stronger smoke [1]. Save them for oily fish, because their smoke can overpower lean, delicate meat. If you are cooking a mild white fish, skip them.
Match the plank to your fillet before you buy. One plank is 3.5 x 7 inches and is designed for one salmon fillet. Buyers repeat that some planks are too small for grilling fish, so a larger plank suits a thick fillet or several pieces at once. To go further, see Best Wood Router: What to Look for Before You Buy.
Check that the package names the wood. One maker says to look for Western Red Cedar and not to cook on other types of cedar. Its planks are always made from Western Red Cedar.
Which plank should you buy first?
Wood Fire 12-Pack Cedar Grilling Planks is the first pick for a multi-food pack, so it suits you if you cook salmon and other foods on the same grill. The maker lists 12 planks in one pack, sized 5 x 11 inches, and made in the USA.
Before you buy, choose the plank size for your typical fillet. A 5 x 11 inch plank fits a standard salmon fillet with room to spare, but buyers repeat that some planks are too small for grilling fish. If you usually cook a large side of salmon, check whether a bigger plank fits your grill, or pick the larger option from the list above. A smaller plank makes sense if you mostly cook one portion at a time.
Start with the 12-pack from the first pick if you want one pack for several foods. Measure your largest fillet, match it to the plank size, and you will have the right plank the first time you fire up the grill.