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Why hickory is valued as firewood
Hickory’s main advantage is its density. At the same moisture level, most wood species contain approximately the same energy per pound; denser wood packs more pounds into a cord, so a cord can yield more heat. Iowa State University Extension lists shagbark hickory at 4,072 pounds per cord, compared with 1,984 pounds for basswood, and explains that this can mean about twice the heat value per cord. A standard cord is a stack measuring 4 by 4 by 8 feet, or 128 cubic feet including air spaces. Iowa State University Extension: Wood for Fuel.
Published heat estimates differ because sources use different assumptions and tables. Treat them as comparisons, not a promise of what a particular stove or fireplace will deliver.
| Source and basis | Reported shagbark hickory heat value |
|---|---|
| USDA Forest Service, revised May 2010; potential heat calculated at 20% moisture and 100% unit efficiency | 29.1 million BTU per standard cord; dry weight listed as 4,160 pounds. USDA Forest Service: Wood Fuel for Heating |
| Oklahoma State University Extension; dry-wood table | 25.3–27.7 million BTU per cord. Oklahoma State University Extension: Firewood Recommendations |
| Illinois Extension; page publication date not stated | 28.6 million BTU per cord. Illinois Extension: Burning Safety |
| Arkansas Extension; compiled table based on USDA Forest Service Leaflet No. 559 | 25–28 million BTU per cord for hickories. Arkansas Extension: Arkansas Firewood |
Actual heat delivered also depends on how dry the wood is and how efficiently the appliance burns it. These figures do not establish a current local price or guarantee how much wood a household will need.
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- Convenient Dimensions: At 8 inches in length and 2-3 inches thick, this cooking wood fits any grill, smoker, or fire pit, lights easily and burns hot for delicious smoky flavor
- Three Flavor Options: Available in Oak, Cherry, and Hickory varieties, each with its own unique taste and aroma to suit your cooking preferences
- USDA Certified Quality: This cooking wood has been inspected and meets strict quality standards for safety and sanitation, ensuring high-quality firewood
- Kiln Dried Process: The wood is kiln dried to remove excess moisture, ensuring it is dry and ready to use while preventing cracking or splitting during burning
How hickory performs in a fire
Arkansas Extension rates hickories excellent for coaling and overall firewood quality, with medium splitting ease, few sparks, and low smoke in its compiled table. Illinois Extension’s shagbark-specific guidance describes it as moderate to start and says it generates some sparks. These ratings are useful expectations, not guarantees for every piece of wood or fireplace.
- Heat: High per cord when compared on a similar moisture basis, largely because hickory is dense.
- Coals: Rated excellent by Arkansas Extension, making hickory useful for maintaining a bed of coals.
- Starting: Shagbark may be moderately difficult to light; use dry kindling and an established bed of coals rather than expecting a large log to catch quickly.
- Splitting: Arkansas Extension rates ease of splitting as medium.
- Sparks: Some sparks are reported for shagbark; use a properly fitted screen where appropriate and follow the appliance maker’s guidance.
Season hickory to below 20% moisture
Illinois Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension recommend burning wood at less than 20% moisture. Wetter wood produces more smoke and can add harmful chemicals and particulates to the air; it also contributes to creosote buildup in the chimney. Cornell Cooperative Extension: Storing and Drying Firewood.
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Illinois Extension says fresh wood generally takes six to nine months to dry to that level, but conditions affect the timing. Use moisture—not a calendar estimate—as the readiness check. A firewood moisture meter can help verify the threshold; the cited guidance does not endorse a particular brand or model.
Prepare and store hickory so it dries well
- Split the logs. Smaller pieces expose more surface area to air and dry more readily. Oklahoma State Extension’s firewood guidance covers cutting and splitting wood: Firewood: Recommendations for using Firewood as an Indoor Heating Source in Oklahoma.
- Stack with airflow. Keep the stack raised off the ground and arranged so breezes can reach the sides.
- Keep rain off the top, not the sides. The California Air Resources Board recommends covering the top while leaving the sides open to airflow. California Air Resources Board: Woodburning Handbook.
- Check before burning. Measure a freshly split face and use wood below 20% moisture, consistent with Illinois and Cornell Extension guidance.
When to choose hickory over another wood
Compare firewood on more than its advertised BTU figure. Check the species, moisture basis, and whether the source describes potential heat or heat delivered by an appliance. Also consider splitting effort, how easily the wood starts, sparks, coaling, and what is locally available at a fair price. Published cord values are not perfectly interchangeable, so preserve each source’s stated conditions rather than treating different tables as a single ranking.
Rank #3
- Versatile Cooking Wood: Suitable for parties, quiet evenings, or cooking for family and friends, this cooking wood enhances any outdoor gathering with authentic smoky flavor
- Convenient Dimensions: At 8 inches in length and 2-3 inches thick, this cooking wood lights easily and burns hot, delivering delicious smoky flavor for grilling, smoking, and fire pits
- Multiple Flavor Options: Available in three varieties including Oak, Cherry, and Hickory, each offering its own unique taste and aroma to complement your cooking preferences
- USDA Certified Quality: This cooking wood is USDA Certified, having been inspected to meet strict quality standards for safety and sanitation
- Kiln Dried Process: This cooking wood is kiln dried to ensure it is dry and ready to use, with excess moisture removed to prevent cracking or splitting during burning
Hickory is a strong fit when you want dense, high-heat wood and long-lasting coals, and you can season and handle it properly. If easy starting or minimal sparks are the priority, factor in the shagbark-specific cautions and consider how you will use it in your particular appliance.
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- 【Convenient 15lb Box for Multiple Uses】Each 15lb box provides generous quantity for repeated cooking sessions while remaining easy to store and carry—ideal for backyard pizza nights, BBQ parties, or camping adventures.
Rank #4
- Signature Bold & Hearty Smoke – Delivers rich, robust flavor for wood-fired pizzas, ribs, brisket, red meat, and game—perfect alone or blended for a custom taste.
- Kiln-Dried for Enhanced Performance – PDA-certified premium firewood dried to 15% moisture or less for quick ignition, efficient heat, and a clean, low-smoke burn.
- Ideal Size & Weight – 39.5 lb of firewood is bundled into 30–35 evenly sized 8-inch splits, pre-cut, portable, easy to store, and ready to use straight from the box for pizza ovens, grills, and smokers.
- Steady, Long-Lasting Intense Heat – Delivers high, consistent heat with minimal popping or smoke—ideal for crispy wood-fired pizza crusts, plus grills, smokers, fire pits, and campfires.
- Sustainably Harvested & Processed in the USA – Sourced from certified American forests and processed in Myerstown, PA. 100% natural, eco-friendly hardwood, crafted for premium cooking, smoking and firewood use.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
