This invention relates to a method of making an olefin from a dialkyl ether comprising (a) introducing an ether having a formula C.sub.xH.sub.2x+1C.sub.yH.sub.2y+1 into a thermal or catalytic cracking unit processing a hydrocarbon feedstock; and (b) decomposing at least a portion of the ether to form an olefin having a formula C.sub.xH.sub.2x and/or C.sub.yH.sub.2y and an alcohol having a formula C.sub.xH.sub.2x+1 and/or C.sub.yH.sub.2y+1OH, wherein x and y independently range from about 1 to about 30. This invention also relates to a method of reducing coking in a thermal or catalytic cracking unit comprising (a) introducing an ether, having a formula C.sub.xH.sub.2x+1OC.sub.yH.sub.2y+1, into the cracking unit processing a hydrocarbon feedstock in an amount effective to reduce coke formation relative to processing the hydrocarbon feedstock in the absence of the ether, wherein x and y independently range from about 1 to about 30.