Whether you’ve recently built your very own backyard fire pit or you’re simply new to the world of buying firewood, then you might currently be asking yourself – “What is a rick of wood?” – especially if you’ve been hearing all the different types of firewood bundle names.
From face cords to quarter cords, quarter faces to the classic “rick of wood” – there’s plenty of mind-boggling firewood sizes and names that can take a little getting used to, and we’re here to help you along the way as you get your head around the different terms.
As soon as you have discovered what a rick of wood is, you will no doubt find that you are able to understand the various other firewood sizes and names with ease – and this is where we come in to lend you a helping hand.
In this article today, we’re going to be talking you through everything you need to know about a rick of wood (including what it actually is) so that you can achieve the ambient crackling fire pit of your dreams! From background to cost, meaning to size, we’ve made sure to cover all bases, so, whenever you’re ready, just tread on!
So, What Is A Rick Of Wood, Exactly?
In a nutshell, a “rick” of wood essentially refers to a stack of firewood that is 4 ft tall and 8 ft long, and this measurement is strictly contained to a rick of wood only.
However, it is important to keep in mind that though the height and length of a rick of wood will remain constant, the width of a rick of wood can vary depending on which firewood supplier that you are purchasing the wood from, as well as the time of year and area of the world in which you live.
According to the dictionary, it turns out that the official definition of “rick” is actually a word that has been derived from the word “hrēac” which is an old, archaic English word that means pile or stack.
In addition to this, it was generally considered to be a farm-related term and was used as a measurement for stacks (or piles) of corn, wood, bales of hay, and much more.
At one point or another in time, the term made its way across the pond to North America, and to this day, it is a very common word used mainly across the midwest USA, as well as a firewood terminology, too.
The width of a rick of wood is usually referred to as a “face cord” (make a note of that so you don’t forget the terminology) and is more often than not offered in either 12 inch, 16 inch, or 24 inch options.
With that being said, this means that when you are purchasing a rick of wood, the stack that you select will likely be one of these three widths, although do keep in mind that this can vary for the various factors that we have just mentioned above.
By taking the time to gain a better understanding of the different width sizes that a rick of wood can come in, then you will be able to ensure that you aren’t accidentally picking a firewood bundle that is going to give you more than what you need or paying more than what you are going to be getting!
To follow, when you head over to your local firewood supplier, make sure that you are making sure to always ask your supplier what the width (or face cord) is of the rick of wood that you are looking to buy, as this will help you to decide whether or not it is the correct amount of wood that you need, as well as if it is going to actually fit inside your firepit.
Though it might be tempting to purchase the largest stack, you should consider the dimensions of your firepit, otherwise, you’re going to find yourself with a rick of wood that isn’t going to fit inside your pit.
In addition to this, as we’ve already mentioned above, you should also make sure that you are double checking with your supplier about the face cord of your rick of wood (or any other firewood bundle that you are wanting to purchase) as this will help to ensure that you aren’t spending more than you need to be, and getting the very best value for your money.
How Big Is A Brick Of Wood?
Even though we have quickly touched upon the size of a rick of wood above, we still think that it’s super important to break down the sizing specifications of a rick of wood, as it will help you to better understand the way that firewood bundles and stacks are sized in general.
To break the sizing dimensions down, it’s first important to learn a little bit about what a cord of wood is, as this is a terminology that you’re going to be frequently coming across.
If you’re unfamiliar with what a cord of wood is or would simply like a knowledge refresh, a cord of wood is essentially a stack of wood that is 48 inches (4ft) high, by 48 inches (4ft) wide, by 96 inches (8ft) in length.
So, with all that being said, if you were to buy a rick of wood, then you will be purchasing a fraction of a full cord going off of the dimensions that we have provided earlier in the article.
Although, as we said above, it is important to keep in mind that the dimensions of a rick of wood can vary in width slightly, even though the height and length of a rick of wood remain the same. To help you better understand the size of a rick of wood, here are the average sizing dimensions to make a note of:
- 12-inch wide rick: If you were to purchase a rick of wood that was 12 inches in width, then this would amount to a quarter of a full cord of wood.
- 16-inch wide rick: If you were to purchase a rick of wood that was 16 inches in width, then this would amount to a third of a full cord of wood.
- 24-inch wide rich: If you were to purchase a rick of wood that was 24 inches in width, then this would amount to one-half of a full cord of wood.
It’s important to make sure that you are aware of the sizing of your rick of wood (especially the width) as this will ensure that you are able to get the best value for money while also ensuring that you are getting the correct dimensions for your fire pit.
Of course, it is also important to consider the fact that firewood rick sizes can vary from supplier to supplier, which is another factor to keep in mind when purchasing your rick of wood.
If you need a specific wood size, then we strongly recommend that you take the time to research a few different firewood suppliers in your area, so that you can gain an understanding of what they offer, as well as get an idea of what type of firewood suppliers are local to you.
How Much Does A Rick Of Wood Weigh?
As we’re sure that you can already guess – there is no set answer for the weight of a rick of wood! From the different width sizes, all the way to the different types of firewood suppliers available to you, it’s inevitable that you’re going to find that ricks will vary in weight.
Generally speaking, though, on the firewood weight spectrum, the heaviest of all types of firewood are red and white oaks, which can weigh in at almost two and a half tons per cord (yes you read that right!). On the other hand of the spectrum, however, you have something that is known as spruces, which can weigh in at just over a ton per cord.
Regardless of the supplier or the width, a rick of wood will likely fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum, so you can expect the weight of a rick of wood to range anywhere from around 600lbs, all the way up to 2,700lbs or even more.
For this reason alone, it is extremely important that you make sure that you are going to be able to safely transport your rick of wood from the firewood yard all the way back to your home.
Most firewood suppliers will usually have the necessary equipment to safely load your purchased firewood into your vehicle, although, we do strongly recommend that you take the time to find out whether or not this will be offered prior to purchasing.
There are also some firewood suppliers that will offer a delivery service, although this will not always be the case for all suppliers.
As a side note, if you are going to be transporting your firewood yourself, then we also recommend that you take the time to figure out whether or not your vehicle will be able to take the load. Many people find that larger transportation vehicles (such as a van) are best suited for transporting and safely carrying large loads of firewood.
How Much Wood Goes Into A Rick Of Wood?
Since there are around 550 to 650 pieces of split seasoned wood inside a cord of wood, then you can expect to get around 275 to 275 pieces of firewood inside a rick of wood.
With that in mind, while you are planning which rick of wood to get, then you should remember that the number of firewood pieces inside your rick of wood will vary from supplier to supplier. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that you check the amount prior to purchasing so that you are known for sure that you’re getting the right amount of firewood that you need.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Rick Of Wood?
If you are looking to purchase a rick of wood, then it is important to keep in mind that the prices will vary depending on the type of wood that has been used (such as black locust, red oak, maple, and more) as well as whether or not the rick of wood has been seasoned or not.
In addition to this, prices may also vary depending on the firewood supplier, as suppliers are free to set firewood prices at their own discretion.
Needless to say, to help give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend on a rick of wood, the average price across the USA is usually anywhere between $150 to $250.
In addition, if the firewood supplier that you are purchasing the rick of wood from offers a delivery service that you are planning to use, then do keep in mind that this will come at an additional cost.
For most firewood delivery services, the standard pricing comes to around $1-2 dollars per mile, although this can vary depending on firewood supplier to firewood supplier – so make sure that you are checking prior to using it!
There are also some firewood suppliers that will charge you a fee for stacking firewood (which is usually around $20) although there are some suppliers that will do it for free, so make sure that you also check this if you do not want to have to go to the trouble of stacking your firewood by yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Of Wood Is The Best Value When Buying A Rick Of Wood?
If you are looking for the very best value for your money when purchasing a rick of wood, then we recommend going for either hickory or black locust, as both are readily available throughout the US, and are very dense which means that they will burn for longer periods of time than other woods.
What Does Seasoned Firewood Mean?
Put simply, seasoned firewood is wood that has been chopped up, stacked, and then allowed to dry out until the wood’s moisture content is lower than 25%.
Wrapping Up
There we have it! After reading through our guide, we’re hoping that you’re now well aware of what a rick of wood is, including its sizing and cost. If you are planning to only use your firewood for seasonal use, then we recommend opting for a rick of firewood, as this will be the most ideal size for your needs.
On the other hand, if you are in need of firewood for other purposes (such as for use in our home fireplace) then we recommend opting for smaller portions of firewood, such as buying wood by the cord, otherwise, you may find that a rick of wood is far too big for your needs.
