I have a federal catalytic stove, and a truck full of ear corn from a friend.
Can I toss a few ears in with the wood without hurting the element?
Can I toss a few ears in with the wood without hurting the element?
Ear corn in catalytic stove
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curber
Feeling the Heat
The corn is very dry, a couple years old, and is weevil ridden. My friend was getting the old corn out of the bottom of his crib, and we couldn't see it go to waste.curber said:
I would bet the cobs are ok, but don't know about the starches in the kernels.
maxed_out
New Member
Green Energy
Feeling the Heat
I seem to remember reading or hearing that the products of combustion from corn is more corrosive, possibly from the pesticides that are in the corn. I think it was when I was reaching flue materials and warranties and hearing that you need a special type of stainless for burning corn. Not sure if this is correct. The reason I remember this is because I was surprised. Perhaps someone else will chime in with a better answer.
Green Energy said:
I've read the same thing. I also have read that to "burn" corn that it needs quite a lot of air; more than a typical wood stove can provide. W/ a cat stove, if the cat can handle the volatiles it will produce, the air wouldn't theoretically be an issue. But considering the extra work it takes for some folks to burn corn, I don't think I'd try it.
But, if your chimney is rated to handle it, nothing is wrong w/ calling the stove co and seeing what their take is on it. If you do that, please share their take on the issue with us.
pen
Wood Duck
Minister of Fire
I think the stove company is going to cover themselves by saying the stove is not designed or not rated for corn burning, and you still won't really know if it is OK.
Do you know the age of the stove? If it is an older Federal/Dutchwest, it is probably approved to burn coal and has the manual shaker grates. If this is the case I can't see how it could hurt a thing. This stove has an air control on the ash pan door for burning coal, so that should take care of the air issue. I'm not sure how it could affect the cat though. I'm interested to see what others have to say.
What the hell. That stove is 30 years old anyway and I am willing to bet it is blowing into a clay chimney or steel pipe chimney, not a liner. Go for it.
HotCoals
Minister of Fire
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
We used to burn a lot of corn cobs but never the corn. And today with corn prices as high as they are I would not want to burn it now for sure!
The stove isn't that old- around the turn of the century is all.....and no vents in the ash door.
I sent an email to the stove company, and after several weeks I don't think they are going to entertain my question.
I sent an email to the stove company, and after several weeks I don't think they are going to entertain my question.
arty said:
So you are saying you've gone the last month w/out tossing some corn in there?
You are very patient.
pen
I am somewhat familiar with the Sedore stoves. They will burn just about anything that is combustible --- corn, wheat, wood pellets, barley, wood, dried animal dung!!,etc.
The Sedore is a steel box stove with a cast iron "baffle". It is a downdraft stove, but without the fragile combustion chambers like some of the EPA stoves have.
No catalytic combuster in it.
I'd give the corn a try --especially if you have a truck full to use up!!
The Sedore is a steel box stove with a cast iron "baffle". It is a downdraft stove, but without the fragile combustion chambers like some of the EPA stoves have.
No catalytic combuster in it.
I'd give the corn a try --especially if you have a truck full to use up!!
Loco Gringo
Feeling the Heat
Me and some friends shucked and hulled about 600# by hand a few weeks ago and the cobs burned great but the corn wouldnt burn off of one of the full ears we tossed in.
woodsmaster
Minister of Fire
The boiler I have is suppost to be able to burn corn on the cob, but I havn't had a chance to burn any. It is made from steel.
And would peta care...PNWBurner said:arty said:
Then the real question is can you burn weevils in a catalytic stove!
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