Ear corn in catalytic stove

[arty]

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?

 

[curber]

Is the corn dry? Good question? I will be watching for the answer... Pat

 

[begreen]

Got popcorn?

 

[arty]

Is the corn dry? Good question? I will be watching for the answer... Pat

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.
I would bet the cobs are ok, but don't know about the starches in the kernels.

 

[maxed_out]

good one. suggest call to federal so you are off the hook in case.

 

[Green Energy]

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.

 

[pen]

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.

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]

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.

 

[webby3650]

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.

 

[BrotherBart]

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]

Cherry pits have got to be next!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

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!

 

[arty]

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.

 

[pen]

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.

So you are saying you've gone the last month w/out tossing some corn in there?

You are very patient.

pen

 

[nelraq]

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!!

 

[Loco Gringo]

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]

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.

 

[arty]

So you are saying you've gone the last month w/out tossing some corn in there?

You are very patient.

pen

I have several years worth of wood-I have time.....

 

[PNWBurner]

The corn is very dry, a couple years old, and is weevil ridden.

Then the real question is can you burn weevils in a catalytic stove!

 

[arty]

The corn is very dry, a couple years old, and is weevil ridden.

Then the real question is can you burn weevils in a catalytic stove!

And would peta care...