White Oak vs. Hickory: Which Should You Choose?

White oak is the better choice for everyday home heating, burning dense and long with low smoke and steady heat. Hickory is the better choice for cooking and BBQ, with a bold aroma and intense heat that's prized by smokers, pizza ovens, and pit masters. Both are excellent hardwoods; the right one depends on what you're using it for.

White Oak

Dense and long-burning, with low smoke and steady heat. Excellent for fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, and a reliable choice if you're heating your home through the winter.

Hickory

Bold aroma and intense heat. The go-to for BBQ pits, smokers, and cooking fires, and a favorite with the restaurants and commercial kitchens we supply.

Our Recommendation

If you're heating a home, start with white oak or oak. If you're cooking or smoking, hickory is worth the choice. All of our wood types are the same price by the cord, with one exception: hickory is priced slightly higher due to limited availability, so call for current hickory pricing. See our full pricing page for current rates on every species and size.

Ready to Order?

Call 828-200-3050 or contact us online to get your delivery scheduled.