Don't Get Burned Burning Corn

Don't Get Burned Burning Corn ENERGY Corn Burning Soves 30-2-5 Corn stoves are so hot right now that a lot of people are getting burned, warns Mike DeBeau of M-D Grain. His concern centers around poor quality stoves rushed onto the market by opportunists. Another problem is burning poor quality corn. "Either way, people may get disappointed in corn stoves," says DeBeau, who manufactures corn stoves himself. He recognizes that frustrated users are bad for the long-term health of his industry. When it comes to the quality of corn burned in a stove, DeBeau has a few pointers that will maximize btu's and minimize problems like ash and creosote buildup. "Corn isn't all alike when it comes to what burns best," he says. "Waxy corn doesn't have the btu's of #2 yellow. Sweet corn would be the best if you could find it, and popcorn burns like paper, way too hot." DeBeau's rules for clean burning include: 1. Burn #2 yellow - the smaller the kernels, the better. 2. Avoid corn with excessive cob and stalk trash. 3. Look for corn with moisture levels under 14 percent and weighing 56 lbs./bu. or greater. 4. Store corn so it stays dry. "Moisture is the number one problem with burning corn," he explains. "Moisture has a huge impact on btu output. Number 2 yellow at 12 percent moisture should produce 9,000 btu/lb. while 14 percent corn will drop to 7,500 btu/lb." DeBeau agrees that stoves "can" burn 16 to 18 percent moisture corn, but he adds, "you won't get the heat output, and you will end up with more ash and soot buildup." If you are planning to burn your own corn, start planning for next year's fuel supply early. Plant a few acres of a small kernel, quick-drying variety. A little advance planning can also help if you will be buying corn to burn. DeBeau suggests buying your supply prior to harvest. Corn carried over from the previous year has to be dry to be kept in storage. Once new crop corn has been harvested, elevator managers often blend the higher moisture corn with the dry corn. Thinking ahead about bulk versus bagged corn can also reduce costs, he says. "Bags are convenient, but bulk is cheaper," he says. "Demand for bulk storage of corn for fuel has shown up in our local machinery market," he adds. "Gravity box wagons were practically being given away. Now people are buying them just to hold corn for burning. They can back them in a shed or throw a tarp over them, and the corn will be fine." While many corn stoves can be adapted to burn other grains, DeBeau warns that one source of grain fuel should be avoided at all costs. That is treated seed. "Inhalation can result in serious health problems or even death," he cautions. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mike DeBeau, M-D Grain, 30726 850th Ave., Blooming Prairie, Minn. 55917 (ph 507 583-5088; mdgrain@hotmail.com).

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