By 
If you just bought a fireplace or a firepit and did not have any experience purchasing firewood, you must be confused with all the names you hear regarding the size of the wood.
There are different names assigned to different sizes of firewood. One term you will hear a lot about is “rick” of wood. We will see in this article what is a rick of firewood and how long do four ricks of firewood last?
It is important to understand wood size terms so that you do not pay for more than you are getting. You should also know how much wood do you actually need.
A Rick of Wood
A stack of firewood that is four feet tall and eight feet long is referred to as a rick of wood. The widths may vary depending on your firewood supplier. The width also depends on the region and local markets.
A rick of wood can also be called a face cord. A ‘cord’ of wood is the standard unit of measurement of firewood between the supplier and customers. A cord of wood can be described as a stack of wood that is four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet long.
To put it simply, a rick is a fractional portion of a full cord. A full cord is 48 inches wide. To help you understand it clearly, here are some measurement conversions:
- 12-inch-wide rick = 1/4th of a cord
- 16-inch-wide rick = 1/3rd of a cord
- 24-inch-wide rick = ½ of a cord
To reiterate, do not assume that these sizes are applicable everywhere. Make sure you check with the vendor before purchasing wood. A rick of firewood in one part of the country may differ from another country.
Etymologically, the term rick is derived from an old English word meaning pile or stack. It refers to farm-related stacks like corn, hay, or wood. It is common to hear this word these days, especially in the United States.
Number of Pieces in a Rick of Firewood
Generally, you will find between 550 to 650 pieces of wood in a single cord of wood. However, the number of pieces depends on how the wood has been cut. There are between 275 to 325 pieces of firewood in a rick. You need to plan and make sure you know how lengths vary in your region.
The number also depends on other factors like how tight the wood is stacked, how tall the wood is stacked, and if the wood is split or is still in rounds.
How Long Does a Rick of Firewood Last?
It totally depends on how and where you use the wood. If it is your main heating source, a rick can last from 6 to 10 weeks. But you should always be prepared for consuming more and keep some wood extra.
Weight of a rick of Firewood
The weight depends on the size and the type of firewood you choose. Red and white oaks are on the high-end of firewood weight and weigh almost 2.5 tons per cord. On the lower end of the firewood weight scale, you will find spruces that weigh around 1.25 tons per cord.
Comparing these numbers to a rick of firewood, we can conclude that a rick can weigh from about 2,750 lbs to 625 lbs on the high-end and low-end, respectively.
Cost of a rick of Firewood
A face cord or a rick of Oak can cost between $150 to $250. This will change when the type of wood changes (maple, red oak, etc.). The price is also affected by whether the wood is seasoned or not or how it is seasoned.
In addition, you will also have to pay wood delivery charges ($ 1 to 2 per mile) and a fee of stacking which is usually about $20-$25.
Comments