Hickory vs Maple Firewood: Which One Should You Buy?

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The quick answer

Hickory is a dense hardwood, and the listings state the forms it comes in: 12-inch logs for stoves and fireplaces, 8-inch logs for grills, smokers and fire pits, and fist-size chunks for smoking and barbecuing. All three listings state USDA-certified kiln-dried hickory with no chemicals. Maple gets no listing in this round, so compare the hickory forms below and check the firewood BTU chart for heat values by species.

What the three hickory listings state

Smoak 12-inch hickory logs, 45 to 50 pounds

The Smoak listing states 12-inch hickory lengths averaging 3 to 4 inches wide in a 17 by 13 by 13 inch box weighing 45 to 50 pounds, with kindling and a firestarter included. The listing states USDA-certified, kiln-dried, completely organic wood with no chemicals, competition-grade precision, and longer-lasting, hotter, cleaner fires. Stated uses cover grills, smokers, pizza ovens, fire pits, fireplaces and stoves that take 12-inch lengths. The listing states a family-owned maker since 2011. This is the volume pick: the heaviest stated box of the three, for heating and cooking fires that take full-length logs.

Old Potters hickory logs, 16 to 18 logs

The Old Potters listing states 16 to 18 hickory logs at 8 inches long and 2 to 3 inches thick, about 1100 cubic inches, at 18 pounds. The listing states USDA certification, kiln-dried wood that resists cracking and splitting, easy lighting, and smoky flavor for grilling, smoking and fire pits. Three flavor options are stated from the same maker: oak, cherry and hickory. This is the cooking pick: 8-inch logs sized for grills, smokers and fire pits, with the stated smoky flavor as the selling point.

Smoak hickory chunks, 25 to 30 pounds

The Smoak chunks listing states fist-size hickory chunks averaging 3 by 3 inches in a 12 by 12 by 12 inch box weighing 25 to 30 pounds, at 1728 cubic inches. The listing states USDA-certified kiln-dried wood with no chemicals, competition-grade quality, and use with or without charcoal. The chunks are stated to burn longer than chips, for any grill, smoker, pizza oven or kamado that fits a 3-inch square piece. The listing states the maker is family owned and operated since 2011. This is the smoking pick: chunks, not logs, for infusing wood-fired flavor.

Hickory vs maple firewood: lengths and box sizes

The three listings state three different cuts: 12-inch logs at 3 to 4 inches wide, 8-inch logs at 2 to 3 inches thick, and 3 by 3 inch chunks. Match the cut to the appliance: the listings state 12-inch lengths for stoves and fireplaces, 8-inch logs for grills, smokers and fire pits, and chunks for smokers and grills. Box sizes are stated as 17 by 13 by 13 inches for the 45 to 50 pound log box and 12 by 12 by 12 inches for the 25 to 30 pound chunk box; the Old Potters bundle states 16 to 18 logs at 1100 cubic inches with no box dimensions. For stocking up, the 12-inch box states the most stated weight.

None of the three listings states a maple cut, so the comparison rests on the hickory side: the Smoak 12-inch box states 45 to 50 pounds for heating, the Old Potters 16 to 18 logs state 18 pounds for cooking, and the Smoak chunks state 25 to 30 pounds for smoking. The chunks state use with or without charcoal, and the Old Potters logs state a natural source of charcoal for barbecuing. For heat alone, the heaviest stated box wins; for flavor, the chunks and the 8-inch logs state the cooking uses.

Kiln-dried and USDA certification

All three listings state USDA certification and kiln-dried wood. The Smoak 12-inch listing states USDA-certified, kiln-dried and completely organic with no chemicals. The Old Potters listing states USDA certification with inspection for safety and sanitation, and kiln drying to remove excess moisture so the wood is dry and ready to use. The Smoak chunks listing states USDA-certified kiln-dried with no chemicals used. Kiln-dried is the stated dryness claim here; none of the three states a moisture percentage figure. Store any of them dry and off the ground, and see the firewood storage hub for stacking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a maple example?

No. All three listings are tagged hickory; no maple product is stated here. See the oak vs maple firewood comparison for a maple matchup.

Which listing states the biggest box?

The Smoak 12-inch hickory logs at a stated 45 to 50 pounds in a 17 by 13 by 13 inch box. The chunks state 25 to 30 pounds, and the Old Potters bundle states 18 pounds.

Which is best for smoking?

The Smoak hickory chunks, stated for smoking, grilling and barbecuing with longer burn than chips. The Old Potters 8-inch logs also state grilling and smoking use.

Which listings are USDA certified?

All three: the Smoak 12-inch logs, the Old Potters 16 to 18 logs and the Smoak chunks all state USDA certification.

Which is best for a pizza oven?

The listings state pizza oven use for the Smoak 12-inch logs and the Smoak chunks. Match the 12-inch or 3-inch cut to the oven.

Related guides

See the hickory vs ash firewood comparison, the poplar vs birch firewood comparison and the firewood BTU chart.