When you grill using only your propane or charcoal, you are limiting the flavor potential of your dish. Adding salt or seasoning can certainly improve the flavor, but there is still more you could do to truly impress your friends and family, and the secret could be in the wood.
At Holland Bowl Mill, we use every bit of wood possible. That means when we create our popular wooden bowls, any block or shaving left over from the process is utilized in its own unique way. When it comes to crafting our bowls from cherry, the shavings become our cherry wood grilling chips.
By adding cherry chips to your grill, you will add a smoky sweetness to your dish. Cherry gives a fantastic flavor with its vaguely sweet and fruity smoke. It is a popular choice and pairs well with poultry, turkey, and Cornish game hens.
If you are cooking with a charcoal grill, heat the coals first and then place the wood chips in a smoke pack on top for a quick smoke. For a gas grill, put the wood chips in a smoke box and place over direct heat. Once the chips smoke, you can move them to the cooler side and add your food.
For the best results, soak your cherry wood chips in water before adding to your coals. Also, do not be tempted to lift the grill lid, otherwise you will release the smoke and lose some flavor.
Another way to add that sweet and fruity flavor to your food is with the cherry grilling plank. Grilling planks have many benefits, and you will be able to both taste and see the difference. First, it will give you that smoky flavor quickly, without the needed prep time that comes with grilling chips. Next, a grilling plank will keep your food moist because it stays in contact with the wood rather than on the grates. Grilling planks can also prevent your food from falling apart.
Our cherry grilling planks can be reused about two or three times. As you might imagine, the wood may burn and lose its shape, but as long as there is wood left, wash it with water and give it a little scrub to remove cooked on food, then dry it in an oven (the heat helps to remove any bacteria before storing). Be sure to store the plank in a dry spot in between use. Then re-soak it and re-use it.
This summer, become the grill master that you always dreamed to be with cherry wood grilling chips and cherry grilling planks from Holland Bowl Mill. Purchase your own wooden grilling aids, or a set of our world-famous bowls, by adding them to your shopping cart, by calling us at (616) 396-6513, or by visiting our showroom at 120 James Street in Holland.
