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Q: Where can I buy corn to burn in my Corn Stove?
A: Century Farm Harvest Heat can deliver corn directly to your house on a regular basis as an extra service. Corn Stoves are designed to burn feed corn. This type of corn is available at any feed or co-op store. The ideal corn would be dried to a moisture contentof 15% or less. You may also be able to acquire feed corn directly from a farmer or grower. Be sure that it is feed corn.
Q: Does burning corn create a mess?
A: When corn burns it tends to get sticky and almost syrup like. When this happens, corn forms a lump of sticky burned corn or a clinker. The clinker will get larger, will need to be removed about 1-2 times a day depending on your burn rate. The clinker forms a solid brick like structure which is not messy compared to burning wood.
Q: Do large pieces of corn cob or stalk clog the hopper in a corn stove?
A: Small pieces that are kernel sized are no issue they will feed through. If there are larger pieces you will want to prevent those from entering the feed system.
Q: How do I choose a fuel to burn?
A: Everyone has their own preferences. To some it is the ease of operation and minimal maintenance of gas a stove. Others like to deal with cutting firewood because it may be cheaper or more available. For those that like the heat value of wood but not all the work, they choose pellets.
Q: Which fuel is cheaper to burn in a stove?
A: The Pellet Fuels Institute provides a great tool for doing some basic calculations. Click on this link. Please keep in mind that your location and local prices will affect these calculations.
Q: Which fuel is best for the environment?
A: Renewable fuel is considered to be best from an environmental stand point. For example corn, switch grass, etc.
Q: What is a floor protector (aka hearth pad) and why do I need it?
A: Floor protection requirements are different for each stove. Basically, it is to protect combustible flooring from hot sparks and embers. It also protects from heat transfer by means of conduction or radiation. Check your local building codes to see if there are any additional requirements.
Q: Does burning corn smell?
A: Inside your house, there should not be any smell. Corn stoves are can be directly vented outside, without the need for a chimney. Corn stoves are CO2 neutral with no carbon monoxide emissions. When burning properly, the main by products are oxygen and nitrogen.
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