What Is a Rick of Firewood?

Purchasing firewood can be very confusing. Different vendors use different terms for the quantity of wood, and it can be misleading about how much wood you are getting. Knowing what a rick of firewood is can help you make an informed decision.

Types

Common quantity descriptions used by firewood vendors include cord, face cord, truckload, rick or bundle.

Size

The only term defined by specific size is a cord of firewood. A cord must be logs 4 feet in length stacked in a pile 4 feet high and 8 feet long.

A Rick

A rick of firewood, sometimes referred to as a face cord, has no predetermined measurement. Often, a face cord is considered a 4-foot high by 8-foot long stack of wood that is one log deep.

Buyer Beware

While a rick of firewood is commonly a third of a cord, it is up to the seller to determine the depth of the pile of wood not defined as a cord. This makes it difficult to compare the value from one seller to the next.

Solution

Some states have enacted laws requiring fully defined firewood measurements, as well as type, by the seller. When in doubt, ask the merchant specifically about the size of his rick of firewood.

References

• U.S. Forest Service
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Pittsburgh Business Times