Hickory vs Ash Firewood (2026): Which One Should You Burn?

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Hickory vs ash firewood: the quick answer

On the reviewed evidence, hickory is the only side with facts: two kiln-dried hickory products, one in 8-inch logs and one in fist-size chunks, both USDA certified. The hickory listings state the logs light easily and burn hot with a smoky flavor, and that the chunks burn longer than chips to infuse wood-fired flavor. Ash has no reviewed example here, so the guide states no ash specs: no burn time, no splitting ease, no drying speed.

Spec	Old Potters Hickory	Smoak Hickory
Form	Logs	Chunks
Size	8 in long, 2-3 in thick	About 3 x 3 in
Count	16-18 logs	Not stated
Box	1100 cu in	1728 cu in, 12 x 12 x 12 in
Weight	18 lb	25-30 lb
Certified	USDA certified	USDA certified kiln dried
Stated uses	Grilling, smoking, firepits	Grill, smoker, pizza oven

What the hickory listings state

The Old Potters listing states 16-18 kiln-dried hickory logs at 8 inches long and 2-3 inches thick, in an 1100 cu in box weighing 18 lb. It is USDA certified and stated for grilling, smoking and firepits, with logs that light easily and burn hot for a smoky flavor. The Smoak listing states competition-grade hickory chunks about 3 by 3 inches in a 12 by 12 by 12 box weighing 25-30 lb with 1728 cubic inches of wood. It is USDA certified kiln dried with no chemicals stated, and the listing says the chunks burn longer than chips to infuse wood-fired flavor, for grills, smokers and pizza ovens. Neither listing compares hickory to ash, so the guide makes no cross-species claims.

The ash side: no reviewed example

No ash firewood listing was reviewed for this comparison. That means the guide cannot state how ash burns, splits or seasons from these listings, and it will not borrow figures from one species to describe another. If an ash listing is reviewed in future, it will be judged on its own stated specs.

Two kiln-dried hickory products from the listings

Old Potters Hickory

The log pick. The listing states 16-18 kiln-dried hickory logs, 8 in long and 2-3 in thick, in an 1100 cu in box weighing 18 lb. It is USDA certified and stated for grilling, smoking and firepits, and the listing says the logs light easily and burn hot with a smoky flavor. Log form suits firepits and stoves where chunks would fall through the grate.

Smoak Hickory Chunks

The chunk pick. The listing states competition-grade hickory chunks about 3 x 3 in, in a 12 x 12 x 12 box weighing 25-30 lb with 1728 cubic inches of wood. It is USDA certified kiln dried with no chemicals, and the listing says chunks burn longer than chips to infuse wood-fired flavor. Chunk form suits grills and smokers where small pieces feed the fire.

Which should you burn?

On the evidence here, hickory: it is the only side with reviewed listings, both kiln-dried and ready to burn on arrival. The logs suit firepits and stoves where chunks would fall through the grate; the chunks suit grills and smokers where small pieces feed the fire. For ash, the guide has no reviewed example and states no recommendation.

Buying advice: logs or chunks

Start with the fire you are feeding, because the two hickory listings sell different forms for different fires. The Old Potters box holds 16-18 logs at 8 inches long and 2-3 inches thick, a size the listing says fits any grill, smoker or fire pit; log form suits firepits and stoves where small pieces would fall through the grate. The Smoak box holds fist-size chunks averaging 3 by 3 inches, a size the listing says fits anything a 3-inch square piece will fit into, including grills, smokers, pizza ovens and kamado-style cookers; chunk form suits cookers where small pieces feed the fire steadily.

Next, compare how much wood each box gives you. The Old Potters box is 1100 cubic inches and weighs 18 lb. The Smoak box is 12 by 12 by 12 inches with 1728 cubic inches of wood and weighs 25-30 lb. The Smoak box therefore holds more wood by the stated cubic inches and weight, which matters if you are stocking up for a season of cooks rather than a single weekend.

Both listings state kiln dried, so both are ready to burn on arrival with no seasoning wait. Both are USDA certified, and the Smoak listing adds that no chemicals are used. The Old Potters listing states its logs light easily, burn hot and produce less smoke and ash than traditional firewood, and it comes in three flavor options, Oak, Cherry and Hickory, if you want to experiment beyond hickory. The Smoak listing states its chunks burn longer than chips, which helps infuse wood-fired flavor over a long cook, and notes the wood can be used with or without charcoal.

What neither listing gives you is a comparison to ash, a heat-output figure or a moisture percentage, so buy on the stated specs above: form for your fire, box size for your stockpile, and kiln-dried certification for readiness. If you need longer or thicker pieces than the 3-inch chunks, the Smoak listing points to its other storefront listings rather than this box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which burns hotter, hickory or ash?

The listings do not compare the two. Both reviewed examples are hickory: the Old Potters logs are stated to burn hot, and the Smoak chunks to burn longer than chips. No ash listing was reviewed.

Which is easier to split, hickory or ash?

No splitting comparison is stated in these listings. Both hickory examples arrive pre-cut: 8-inch logs and fist-size chunks.

Is hickory good for smoking meat?

Both listings above are sold for smoking and grilling: Old Potters promises a smoky flavor, and Smoak says its chunks infuse wood-fired flavor.

What sizes do the hickory examples come in?

Old Potters: 16-18 logs at 8 inches long and 2-3 inches thick in an 1100 cu in box. Smoak: fist-size chunks about 3 by 3 inches in a 12 by 12 by 12 box.

Are these ready to burn on arrival?

Both are stated kiln dried: Old Potters says kiln dried to remove excess moisture, and Smoak states USDA certified kiln dried.

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