How Much is a Rick of Wood? [Rick Cost Explained in Detail]

A rick of wood in some areas is considered as a stack of wood that has measurements of 4 feet high and 8 feet long. However, the depth of the stack can vary. Moreover, in general terms, a rick of wood is about half or one-third of a full cord.

There are multiple units of measuring wood other than tons. Firewood is commonly measured in cubic centimeters. Among them most common units are a cord of firewood, Face cord, and Rick.

These measurements are not only significant for measuring the quantity rather they impact the heating capacity of the firewood as well. Therefore, it is important to understand the different measurements of firewood.

The cost of wood depends upon the type of wood which includes if the wood is moist or completely dry. Secondly, the wood from different trees has different prices. Generally speaking, a rick of a face cord of oak wood will cost you around $150 to $250. Moreover, in the off-season, prices can be low as compared to the seasonal days.

A rick of wood is a non-standard unit of measurement that can vary in size, but is generally considered to be around half or one-third of a full cord of firewood. The exact amount of wood in a rick can differ depending on the region, but it is typically measured as a stack of 4 feet high and 8 feet long, with the depth varying.

What is a Rick of Wood?

A rick of wood is a measuring unit for firewood that describes the quantity of firewood. A rick is a somewhat confusing unit of measurement as it is not standard and varies from place to place. One of the drawbacks of buying a rick is that you do not know how much wood you are getting.

In this measuring unit, the length of the log is the key point in determining the amount of wood you get. As I told you earlier a rick can be ½ of a full cord of 1/3, then you must be wondering how it is possible. Let me tell you how it is.

For instance, if the logs are cut 16 inches in length and they are stacked 4 feet in height and 8 feet long, then the rick will be equivalent to 1/3 of a full cord. While, if the same logs are cut 24 inches in length, they will make a rick that is half of a cord.

Understanding Firewood Measurements:

Understanding the measurements of firewood is of keen importance. It not only demonstrates the amount of wood but also the heating ability of the wood. For instance, a dry cord of firewood can produce heat similar to the heat produced by 150 to 200 gallons of oil.

So, let me tell you more about the measurements of firewood.

Why cubic meters are used instead of tons?

You must be thinking about why we do not buy firewood in kilograms rather than cubic meters. So, the reason is quite simple, the dried wood weighs less while it is ideal for burning. To avoid paying more for moist wood, we use the unit of cubic meters for measuring firewood.

How to measure cubic meters?

Now, let me tell you how a cubic meter is measured. There are approximately 80 billets in a cubic meter from our measuring square. Now considering having 25cm long logs, each of them would be cut into four pieces so, 80 billets will be 320 logs. Thus, you can expect to have 320 logs in a cubic meter however, a little variation may occur.

Read More: Face Cord vs Full Cord of Firewood

Loose vs. Stacked Logs:

When you buy firewood from the market, the cubic meter is made by loose stacking of logs. The whole industry works in the same way. The logs are not neatly stacked if they are simply thrown at the place. Therefore, this loose stacking of wood leaves space between the logs. Around 30% to 40% of the space is taken up by the spaces left between the logs.

Will a Rick of Wood Fit in a Pickup Truck?

Yes, a rick of wood can fit in a pickup truck but it depends upon the size of the pickup truck and wood. The height of logs, depth, and width decide whether or not they can fit in a pickup truck. Moreover, the dry wood consumes less space so it can also be a factor for determining if you can fit the wood in a pickup or not.

Storing and Stacking Your Firewood:

Choosing the right space:

The best and ideal place for storing your firewood is away from the home to avoid accidental fire. The place should be clean and free of moisture. Choose a space that allows airflow and is somehow exposed to sunlight. This will not only keep your wood free from moisture but also help in drying if you are storing it in the off-season.

For stacking the wood, you should never place it on the ground. The wood absorbs moisture from the ground and then it won’t burn efficiently. Thus, having a moving rack for this purpose is great as you can easily move your wood around.

In case you don’t have a rack, you can use concrete or stones. Spread the material on the ground and create a sort of sheet on the ground. Over there, you can stack your firewood.

Stacking of firewood:

When you are stacking wood, be careful of how you place it. Firstly, place the wood in a way that it has airflow from all sides. Secondly, place the logs horizontally in position because this position will help in drying wood and preparing it for seasonal use.

A crisscross stacking pattern is best for stacking wood. Like, place four logs and place the next four over them at the right angle. This will help in better air circulation and it keeps the wood free from moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many ricks are in a Cord of wood?

Since Rick is not a standard unit for measuring the firewood, it varies from person to person and area to area. If you are buying a rick of wood, then you need to check what is considered a rick of wood in your area.

Roughly, a rick can be ½ of a cord, it can also be 1/3 or even ¼. This all depends upon where you are buying. To avoid being swindled, make sure you and the seller both agree on the same measurement of the rick.

Is 2 Ricks of wood a Cord?

The two ricks of wood may become equal to a cord. As we already know a rick is not a defined or standardized unit so it varies. In some cases, a rick of wood can be equivalent to half a full cord. However, it can also be 1/3 or 1/4 of a cord.

Is a Cord or Rick bigger?

A cord is a bigger and standard unit for measuring firewood. A cord is measured as 4 х 4 х 8 feet. Both the rick and the cord are measured the same in height and width but the difference is in the depth. A rick is measured 16 or 18 inches deep while a cord has a depth of 4 feet. That’s how a cord is bigger than a rick of wood.

What is the difference between a Rick of wood and a Cord of wood?

The difference between a rick of wood and a cord of wood is the quantity of wood they have. A cord is measured as 4 feet in height, 4 feet in depth, and 8 feet in width. Thus, it makes 128 cubic feet. While a rick is not a standard term but rather a confusing unit for measuring wood.

A rick can be similar to a face cord or even it may vary from that as well. In some cases, you get half a cord of wood in a rick while in others you can have 1/3 of a cord in one rick of wood.

How long will a rick of wood last?

The consumption of firewood highly depends upon the usage. If your daily usage is more then you will end up consuming all the wood early. However, in a rough estimate if you lit up your entire home, then a rick of wood may last for six to ten weeks.

Moreover, for your guidance, it is better to purchase a face cord of firewood rather than buying three ricks. Buying a face cord will be more economical than buying ricks.

Last Words:

This was all about how much a rick of wood is and the answer to this is not exact as the unit is not standard. For your clarification, I have tried to explain to you what a rick of wood is by comparing it to a cord of wood.

Remember that Rick is not a defined unit so you can get less wood than you should. Therefore, it is better to agree with the seller on what a rick of wood is to you, before buying.

Moreover, do not forget to follow the storing and stacking tips. These are useful pieces of advice that help you save your firewood at optimal conditions. Also, with these tricks, you have moist-free wood and an efficient burning experience from the wood.