Western red cedar has a natural preservative called Plicatic acid in it which makes it insect and rot resistant. This is released in the dust when cutting , that causes trouble with respiration and acts as a irritant. My question is by soaking and then heating are you releasing Plicatic acid into your food? Not trying to start a battle just asking a question. By the way I always use Alder planks, Dunn Lumber sells it by the board foot.