Shopping for A Corn-Burning Stove?

As you consider the purchase of a corn burning stove, you will undoubtedly have many questions. Below you will find questions that are designed to help you gather the necessary information for making a informed decision. The answers to these questions may vary from model to model, and are also dependent on personal preferences and the anticipated location and function of the stove. However, satisfactory answers to all questions should be received from your dealer before you commit to purchase your corn stove. See below for your personal Corn-Stove Buying Checklist:

1.  Does the corn burning stove have corn-burning certification on the testing label?

2.  Does the stoves operating manual state that 100% shelled corn can be burned, or must the corn be mixed with wood pellets for good combustion?

3.  Are there any other fuels that can be burned in the corn burning stove? If so, what adjustments or stove modifications are required to burn some other fuel?

4.  What are the maintenance requirements of the corn burning stove compared to other stoves? How often do clinkers need to be knocked down?

5.  How many ashes will the corn burning stove produce compared to a stove burning coal or wood?

6.  What is the recommended moisture content for the shelled corn in order to get good fuel combustion?

7.  What the recommended storage conditions for the shelled corn?

8.  What size corn burning stove is needed for my application?

9.  Can the corn burning stove be connected with my existing hot water or hot air distribution system?

10. Is the corn stove self-lighting?

11. How large is the corn burning stove hopper? 

12. What is the true thermo efficiency of the corn burning stove?

Source: Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State University,

Burning Shelled Corn to Produce Heat Energy

   The combination of high fossil fuel prices and low corn prices has spurred an interest burning shelled corn produce heat for heating buildings and for drying grain. Dry shelled corn contains a fair amount of energy and it is relatively easy to handle, so in the short run, it can make sense to use shelled corn as a heating fuel. Here are some factors to consider when making decisions about shelled corn vs. other fuels..

Fuel Cost Unit of Energy

   Shelled corn contains about 7000 BTU per pound at 15% moisture, or about 392,000 BTU per 56 lb. bushel. It is better to use dry corn as a fuel source, because dry corn is easier to handle and store than wet corn, and because dry corn produces more energy per unit weight or corn. Energy content per pound of corn is dramatically lower for high-moisture corn because more of the weight of the corn is water, which doesn't produce any energy, and because more energy from the corn dry matter is needed to evaporate water from the kernels and less available for heating.

   In most cases, equipment used to burn corn is not 100% efficient. When comparing costs for using different fuels, it is easiest to compare cost per unit of energy produced; cost per million BTU is a common way to compare fuel costs. Cost per unit of fuel, energy  content per unit fuel, and burner efficiency all need to be considered when calculating fuel costs.