There's nothing cozier on a chilly fall evening than a bonfire. A blazing fire in the fireplace can transform a cold winter's day. For many people, collecting or purchasing firewood is an essential element of winter preparation. As you look for firewood or try to decide how much you will need, references to a rick may have you confused. How much wood is in a rick? We are here to clear that up and explain exactly what the term rick means.
A rick of firewood is essentially a stack of wood whose face value equals 32 square feet. The most common rick of firewood will be 4 foot high by 8 foot long: 4 x 8 = 32. However, there is no standard measurement for the depth of a rick of wood, so there is no guarantee on how much wood you are getting. As a reference, a rick of wood is often referred to as a face cord of wood.
While this is the simple answer to the question at hand, you may want more information. Keep reading to find out more about a rick of firewood as well as other firewood measurements.
What To Consider In A Rick Of Wood
If you're looking at purchasing firewood, a rick of firewood may appear to be a good deal, and it may well be! However, you will want to make sure before you commit to buying it. You should find out how deep the stack of wood is or how long the logs measure. Each rick of wood can be a different depth. Therefore, determining exactly how deep that particular rick will be important in determining its worth.
Will a rick of wood fit in a pickup?
The amount of wood that your pickup will hold depends mainly on the size of your pickup bed. Pickup bed sizes can vary dramatically based on the truck's make and model. Additionally, a rick of wood can vary based on the wood's length in that particular rick. If the logs are cut at 24 inches or less, then the rick of firewood should fit into the bed of a pickup truck.
How is firewood measured?
Firewood is measured and sold in many different ways. These include:
- Rick
- Cord
- 1/2 Rick
- 1/4 Rick
- Bundle
How much is a cord of wood?
The truth is, a cord is the only official measurement for firewood, and it is otherwise known as a full cord. A cord equals 128 cubic feet and is typically 4 feet high by 4 feet deep by 8 feet long. A cord of wood will be neatly stacked with very little space in between each log. This ensures that maximum use is made of every cubic foot and that each cord contains a fairly consistent amount of firewood.
How much is a 1/2 cord of wood?
A 1/2 cord is relatively self-explanatory as it is approximately half of a cord or 64 cubic feet of wood. The exact dimensions of a half cord can be varied, as long as the length x height x depth is equal to 64 cubic feet. A half cord of wood will fit in the bed of most pickup trucks, so this is a standard measurement for sale.
How much is a 1/4 cord of wood?
Again, a 1/4 cord is roughly one-quarter of a full cord of firewood. A quarter cord will comfortably fit in even a small pickup truck and contains 32 cubic feet of firewood. A pile of wood measuring 4 feet high by 8 feet long, with the wood cut to 1 foot, would measure 32 cubic feet. Therefore, it would be 1/4 cord of wood.
How big is a bundle of wood?
Maybe you're not interested in purchasing a large amount of firewood and only want enough for a couple of fires. Many grocery stores offer bundled firewood, which is a great option. A bundle of wood is usually 0.75 of a cubic foot and contains 5 - 6 pieces of wood. One bundle will burn for roughly 6 hours. These bundles of wood also work well for wood-burning smokers or grills.
Click here to find this bundle of firewood on Amazon.
Cord vs. Rick
Often, the terms cord and rick are used interchangeably. However, they are not always the same. While both a rick and a cord usually measure 4' x 8' on the face, they can vary significantly in depth or the length of the wood. This will ultimately affect the amount of wood you are getting. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the cord you are getting is truly a full cord.
Which is bigger, a cord or a rick?
A cord of firewood will always measure 128 cubic feet, whereas a rick does not have a standard cubic foot measurement. Typically, the depth of a cord will be 4 feet deep, while a rick of wood will usually only be 12 - 18 inches deep. Therefore, there will almost always be more wood in a cord than in a rick.
How many ricks of wood are in a cord?
Because a rick is not an official, standardized measurement of firewood, the actual amount of wood in a rick will vary. However, assuming that a rick of wood is 4' x 8' x 1', it would take four ricks to make one cord of wood. Likewise, it would require two ricks to make a cord if they measure 4' x 8' x 2'.
How many fires can you get from a cord of wood?
The amount of wood that is consumed during a single fire will vary greatly. The type of wood, moisture level in the wood, and type of fireplace or stove will impact how fast you burn through the wood. (Pun intended) However, you can usually count on a full seven days of burn time per cord of firewood for an open fireplace. Fireplaces and stoves with better oxygen control will make more efficient use of the wood, and you can get a few more fires.
What kind of wood will burn the longest?
The type of wood you choose will affect how long your cord of wood will last. Softwood, like pine, cedar, fir, and spruce, will light up quickly, but they burn down fast as well. Oak, maple, hickory, and beech are all examples of hardwood. These woods will take more time to get going, but they last a lot longer. Additionally, they will produce less smoke and more heat.
How is firewood sold/delivered?
Feed stores, local farms, lumber mills, grocery stores, and even random individuals often sell firewood. Wood can be purchased by the cord, half cord, quarter cord, and sometimes by the bag or bundle. Many companies offer local deliveries, usually for an extra fee, including unloading and stacking the firewood upon delivery. In the technological age in which we live, firewood can even be found for sale on the internet, with firewood delivered right to your door!
Click here to find firewood for sale on Amazon!
In Closing
With so many different terms and references, purchasing firewood may seem a bit confusing at first. However, with the information laid out in this article, you should be able to shop for firewood this winter confidently!
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