Firewood comes in an array of diverse wood species. Different species work better in different settings.
There are hardwoods, like hickory, ash, oak, and cherry. Softwoods, such as fir, pine, and cedar are the second type of firewood. Both types have their benefits and drawbacks. So it’s important to know when and how to use each type.
But today, we’re focusing on only one type of firewood, hickory. There’s one question that many people keep asking, “Is hickory good firewood?”
Let’s dive in and find out about this unique hardwood.
Pros and Cons of Hickory Firewood at a Glance
Take a quick look at the benefits and drawbacks of using hickory firewood.
Pros
- Produces a pleasant scent
- Gives a high heat output
- Easy to light
- Burns cleanly
- Doesn’t give off harmful emissions
- Minimal smoke
- Little sparks
- Has a classic crackling sound
- A good choice for smoking and grilling foods
Cons
- Not ideal for a warm-weather fire
- If not utilized correctly, can give a bitter taste to your food
- A common ground for bugs and mildew
- Can be difficult to saw and split
- Can take up to a full year to season
What is Hickory?
Hickory trees, which include pecan trees, are known for their plate-like barks. They’re nut-producing trees that can live up to 300 years and grow up to 100 feet tall.
There are nearly 18 species of hickory. They’re known for their compound leaf stems, which feature anywhere from 7 to 9 leaflets on each stem.
It’s a well-known type of hardwood with high energy content and dense fibers. These are 2 of the main reasons why hickory is such a great choice for wood burning.
Common Hickory Species
Hickory is quite dense and heavy. It’s a straight type of grained tree with several species. Below are 4 of the most common ones:
Hickory Firewood
The best part about hickory is that it works great in both indoor and outdoor wood burning settings.
Indoor Wood Burning
A favorite of many, hickory firewood offers many great features. For one, it’s easy to light.
Once lit up, it provides long-lasting and high heat output. This is why it’s perfect for wood stoves, hearths, and fireplaces.
One of its terrific features is that it burns cleanly. It doesn’t give off any harmful emissions. It produces minimal smoke, compared with other types of firewood.
Another feature that makes hickory firewood popular is that it gives off a great aroma as it’s burning. Plus, you can’t beat that classic firewood cracking sound.
Outdoor Wood Burning
Hickory firewood is also perfect for outdoor fire pits. It’ll turn your backyard or campsite into a cheerful setting. Its crackling background sound is so familiar that you can’t help but be in a good mood.
The long burn time is another reason why hickory is such a favorite among many. It gives off such a pleasant aroma as it burns that’s unmatched.
You’ll also get a high heat output. This makes it great for outdoor wood burning, especially during the colder months.
Features of Hickory Firewood
Hickory has such a high energy output, thanks to its dense fibers and heavy nature. That’s why it’s a great choice for a longer, more efficient burn.
Read ahead for more of hickory’s best qualities.
Heat Output
Hickory has a high energy output. This allows it to give off exceptionally high heat and for long periods.
Amount of Smoke
Compared with other types of firewood, hickory gives off extremely minimal amounts of smoke.
Aroma
Did you know that smoke flavoring is made from condensed hickory smoke? It’s considered by many to be one of the best smelling firewoods.
Amount of Sparks
Hickory is a type of firewood that doesn’t give off a lot of sparks. This makes it a great choice for both outdoor, open-air, and indoor fireplaces.
Food Grilling
Hickory is prized firewood for smoking meats and barbequing. It lights easily, burns for a long time, and gives off a lot of heat.
However, keep in mind that hickory has a strong flavor and aroma. It can easily turn your food bitter if you’re not careful. This is why it’s recommended for the more experienced smokers and grillers.
Coal Production
All firewoods produce coals when they burn. Yet not all create the same quality of coals. The better the quality, the longer and better the fire will keep on burning.
Hickory has excellent coal-producing properties. Besides allowing the fire to burn long and hot, these coals keep the fire hot throughout the night.
This makes it easier to rekindle a fire in the morning. Simply add some more wood to the existing embers, and they’ll take care of the rest.
Creosote Build-Up
Creosote is a common side-product of wood burning. It’s the black tar left behind by wood smoke on the inner walls of chimneys and fire pits.
In small quantities, creosote doesn’t pose a problem. It’s when it builds up that can result in several safety hazards.
One way to prevent creosote build-up is to clean and maintain your stove, chimney, and fire pit. Another way is to pick firewood that has low sap levels.
Hickory is one type of low-sap firewood. They produce fewer quantities of creosote compared with other firewood that have higher sap levels, such as pine.
Seasoning Time
Since hickory is a type of hardwood, it takes a long time to dry and season. On average, it can take up to 12 months to properly season hickory.
It’s one of the longest seasoning times of all wood types, compared with other types of firewood.
The Takeaway
For a quick recap, hickory ranks as one of the most popular firewoods ever! Its long burn time, high heat output, and pleasant aroma are just some of the reasons why many prefer it over other types of firewood.
It can indeed be a bit of a hassle to cut and split. Yet, its great benefits more than make up for it.
So, is hickory good firewood? You bet!