Corn???

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Burnbaby

Member
May 19, 2011
84
Southern nh
Since we are in the middle of a pellet shortage, I thought my stove being a multi fuel stove, I'll try corn. Anyone have any first hand experience with corn, or a better question where to get any? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Oh yea I live in so. nh near haverhill ma. I also work in the north shore mass area so I can get some there as well
 
The only thing I can add is that you should have the multi fule venting kit not just the pellet venting kit as the corn is more corrosive I believe. If you are not doing a ton of corn you would probably be okay with the regular pipe...not sure though.

Any farm feed store should sell corn but will not be as cheep as you would get from a local farmer I would think. Local farm corn will probably not be as clean as your feed store either.
 
also found Rolling Arces farm
Southampton, MA 01073
413-297-7488
 
Yeah PL vent pipe is not rated for corn. Rubicon is correct it is corrosive
 
I burn corn, lots of corn. Try and use a blend of up to 50% and should have no issues. If you have not the proper venting and your try corn in a pinch, soon as season ends take it out and wash it. We got over 20F here today and tomorrow maybe 32 degrees with sun. Going to have to help some friends with roof snow and ice after fire school. One week forecast is near normal temps:)
 
I'm not sure of my vent pipe rating. The stove is installed as an insert in a masonry chimney with a flexible stainless steel flue liner. What kind of pipe does corn require? 50/50 mix sounds good too
 
I'm not sure of my vent pipe rating. The stove is installed as an insert in a masonry chimney with a flexible stainless steel flue liner. What kind of pipe does corn require? 50/50 mix sounds good too
I would go back to the Manufacture and see if suitable for multifuel. Way to big of hassle to pull the liner and wash.
 
I have a flex liner up a 15 ft chimney and used a 40/60 corn/pellet mix my first
season heating with this stove. Not a single issue with the vent.
 
I have a flex liner up a 15 ft chimney and used a 40/60 corn/pellet mix my first
season heating with this stove. Not a single issue with the vent.
What manufacture of liner and do they possibly have more than one liner available? Might get by one season only to have the liner look like Swiss cheese after 2 seasons. Trying to keep those of lesser stove knowledge from making expensive deceasions.
 
hey all, just found this forum a few weeks ago, great place. I have a Quad Castile free standing stove it has been great from 06 till now, exhaust blower went, easy fix, my problem, like everywhere, no pellets to be had, so i got a few bags of corn, never burned it before, my stove is rated for it, but not the pipe. So 50/50 says the book to start, down to 2 bags of pellets, thinking mixing the two to stretch the pellets. cleaned everything, stove, pipe when replaced the blower a few weeks ago. Other than a hotter burnand clinkers from the corn, should there be anything to worry about ? Sorry if this subject has been beaten to death, haven't had time to search past post.
 
Thanks everyone, had no idea about chimney rating!! I have a ss flex liner. Maybe worth looking into to switch liner down the road if it's going to be like this every year. Or maybe I could get smart and buy bulk preseason. Thanks for the info on where to get corn though.
 
hey all, just found this forum a few weeks ago, great place. I have a Quad Castile free standing stove it has been great from 06 till now, exhaust blower went, easy fix, my problem, like everywhere, no pellets to be had, so i got a few bags of corn, never burned it before, my stove is rated for it, but not the pipe. So 50/50 says the book to start, down to 2 bags of pellets, thinking mixing the two to stretch the pellets. cleaned everything, stove, pipe when replaced the blower a few weeks ago. Other than a hotter burnand clinkers from the corn, should there be anything to worry about ? Sorry if this subject has been beaten to death, haven't had time to search past post.
Keep an eye on your venting. If its short just take out after season and wash. Condensate after burning corn is how the higher acid burn of corn will put holes in the pipe.
 
Thanks everyone, had no idea about chimney rating!! I have a ss flex liner. Maybe worth looking into to switch liner down the road if it's going to be like this every year. Or maybe I could get smart and buy bulk preseason. Thanks for the info on where to get corn though.

You got it. Stocking up would be the smart thing to do.
 
Thanks for the info Bio. Didn't know I needed to do that !!
Info for those trying corn without multifuel venting. Hopefully last of the bitter cold.
 
What manufacture of liner and do they possibly have more than one liner available? Might get by one season only to have the liner look like Swiss cheese after 2 seasons. Trying to keep those of lesser stove knowledge from making expensive deceasions.
Edited:
Took me some digging to find out what brand my liner is. We installed nine years ago so I had forgotten. It's 4 inch X 15 ft duravent stainless steel flex. Always dry powdery residue coming out of the liner when cleaning - never anything sticky, and zero holes. Over the years I've added a mix of corn periodically as well. Only reason I stopped was its not so cheap here . I know scenarios can differ greatly and maybe cheaper flex vent won't cut it but the stuff I bought is tough. Just posting my experience with it. Not recommending anyone do it just sayin.
 
Last edited:
Edited:
Took me some digging to find out what brand my liner is. We installed nine years ago so I had forgotten. It's 4 inch X 15 ft duravent stainless steel flex. Always dry powdery residue coming out of the liner when cleaning - never anything sticky, and zero holes. Over the years I've added a mix of corn periodically as well. Only reason I stopped was its not so cheap here . I know scenarios can differ greatly and maybe cheaper flex vent won't cut it but the stuff I bought is tough. Just posting my experience with it. Not recommending anyone do it just sayin.
Year ago corn was $6.95, yesterday was I think $4.62 so the local per bushel would be around $4.30. A standard bushel of corn is 56pounds. I bought 90 bushels third week of January for $3.90/bu. or about 7 cents a pound or would be about $2.76 for a 40 lb bag
 
Year ago corn was $6.95, yesterday was I think $4.62 so the local per bushel would be around $4.30. A standard bushel of corn is 56pounds. I bought 90 bushels third week of January for $3.90/bu. or about 7 cents a pound or would be about $2.76 for a 40 lb bag

I burned corn exclusively for the first 3 years. First year was directly out of the field as it was dry that year. Started back on 100% corn after the first of the year. I paid $140/ton. Current local cash price is $165.

Buy bulk for the best price. Find your local elevator or coop.

Beware, corn has lots more ash than pellets so more work. Smells great though.

Tim
 
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