As much fun as this summer's been, we all know it's going to come to an end.  We like to try to get our corn bin's filled before the current season's crop of corn comes off the field.  This is because sometimes we can find a farmer who has some sub-standard corn that was left over in his bins from last season and that farmer will need the space for this year's crop.

We place our "corn wanted" ad in Craigs List and hope someone finds it.   If we can get a call, we go check the corn.  In our boiler, we need the corn dry like everyone else - but it can be moldy or dirty.  And this is what gets us the best price when we're stocking up for the winter heating season.

It worked out for us this year, and so we've saved about 1/2 the cost per bushel that "good" corn would have cost.  We do deal with lower BTU's this way, but we still feel it's definitely cost effective.

What about you, have you started getting your corn in yet?

Penn State put out a study on the economics of burning shelled corn back in 2006.  I came across this document today while working on a brochure for our new Outdoor Corn Boiler model, and it seemed to me this is still great information. 

Whether you've been burning corn for heat for years, or if you've just now decided to start learning abouti, this brochure will give you a great overview.  I can't find the original website anymore....  But luckily I took a copy of the brochure,  So, here it is again for you all, I hope you like it.

Burning Shelled Corn

Brrrrr. It's really cold outside. Temperatures are in sub-zero range at night and some days too. I'm sure glad the wind isn't blowing too bad.

We're staying warm. The shop isn't insulated very well, and since the accident last fall there hasn't been anyone to finish insulating the ceiling. SO - well that adds to the corn consumption. Dale turns down the thermostat in the shop to 55 so that helps. (corn consumption)

We did run out of corn yesterday. That would put our usage at 400 bushels over the last three months. We're heating this huge shop (poorly insulated) and our home with that.

At least most of the time, the automatic feed keeps the stove full of corn so there's no bucketing! Corn prices yesterday, (we buy bottom of the bin corn, it's cheaper) was $3.00 bushel. Last fall it was $2.70 bu. Looks like we got some soybean mixed in this time. Soybean is good in the corn, it burns nice and hot and is normally 8.00 bu.

End of my January report. Winter.

This is the list of parts we think you’ll need to install your stove.  You can buy this package from the EZBurn Parts Store where you'll receive free shipping. - use coupon code STOVE

These are the parts we sell:  Note:  GT Globe Thermoflex is sold by the foot the manufacturer sells in 100, 150, or 200 foot rolls.

>

	100 Ft 2 X 1" Thermoflex® Evoh Insulated Pex Pipe ,
	Heat Exchanger (UH-140) for hooking into the furnace
	3/4" Mixing Valve – for the hot water hookup, keeps water at a below scalding temperature
	1" 3-WAY ZONE VALVE, bypass valve so when corn stove goes out your house furnace will not heat the corn stove.
	1 1/2" X 3/4 " X 1 Side Arm Water Heater Kit, hot water from the corn stove

 Additional parts you’ll need which are better to buy from your local home center.

• Brass 90 degree 1” elbow – unknown quantity
• Brass Tee – 1”  - unknown quantity
• Compression Rings – tie the pex pipe together on the fittings – unknown quantity
• 1” Crimp to ¾” sweat adapter – used to move from 1” PEX pipe to ¾” Copper Pipe
• 3 – 1 to ¾ reducing couplings, these go to the solenoid valve ( 3-way zone valve)
• 1 – Full Port ¾ “ Ball Valve

Proper maintenance is essential to the healthy operation of an outdoor corn boiler.

This cleaning procedure should take only about 15 minutes. it should be performed at regular intervals, not to exceed 12 days. 

1. Open the top and bottom fire doors.
2. Start with opening the smoke chamber door, and cleaning the ash at the top of the water chamber (you can pull the ash out or you can push it back to the end of the smoke chamber and let the ash fall to the bottom)
3. After cleaning smoke chamber close door and open the back door of the smoke tubes, this is done by turning the lever on the right side to the left (See “A”) then turning the left rod to the left (See “AA”) this will push the door down and allow the ash to go to the bottom of the fire chamber.
4. Take a brush to clean the tubes and push it thru the tubes and go all the way to the back then pull it back and go to another tube until all the tubes have been cleaned.
5. Move the door rod on the left to the right and the rod on the right to the right (this will close the back door to divert the smoke again.
6. Now you are done cleaning the top door of the fire box so you can shut the door.
7. On the bottom fire chamber clean out the ash that has settled on the floor.
8. After cleaning the ash, there are two small round holes in front of the fire pot take the screws out and inspect to see if any ash has settled in the air chamber of the pot. If you have an ash vacuum, vacuum the ash out and put the covers back on.
9. You are done cleaning so take a minute to check the water feeds to the pot to see if there are any drips around the flex pipes.
10. After that inspection go ahead and close the bottom door and the stove should fire up. (do not leave the stove until you see the temperature start climbing up on the controller.)
11. At this time you should open the doors under the hopper and inspect all the mechanical and make sure it is working well.

Dry Corn With Corn Heat

The Department of Soil, Water, and Cliimate at University of Minnesota have printed an article on how corn ash performs when used as fertilizer in the garden. You can read it here: Evaluation of Corn Ash as a Nutrient Source for Gardens

I know it works, proof is in my garden this year. Here's a picture for you

One of the reasons we like our outdoor corn boiler (a small part) is that it doesn't endanger our building or raise our insurance rates.

Using renewable fuel in this time of uncertainty - is getting more popular. I'm sure you're aware that it's going to mean the heating system will be something you think about now - not a set it and forget it deal as it is with fossil fuels.

A few things for you to consider also, before you buy that Outdoor Corn Boiler. I'm sure you're aware of these, but I have to put them down anyway:

• Weekly maintenance is critical - the stoves burn reliably and efficiently when they're cleaned weekly. But any deviation in the weekly maintenance schedule will change that.
• Insulated pipe, heat exchangers, boiler antifreeze, anti-rust solution, and anything else you would need to install the boiler - doesn't come with the stove (We'd be happy to provide a list of the required materials and the cost to the church)
• We can customize the appearance of the stove to blend with your outbuildings so that there isn't a corn boiler staring your visitors in the face. I think you've seen our "Church Stove" But that's not the only style, so we can talk about that too.

There's no heat like corn heat.

Country Farm Lifestyles is a website full of resources and information for farmers. The site is written by farmers for farmers.

On this site, you can find videos, podcasts, photos, articles, and more. The web site isn’t commercially produced, but it does the job. Reading through this site makes me realize that the world is small and farming is something we all have in common.

Here’s the link to Country Farm Lifestyles web site: http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com

Oh, and by the way, I found these guys through a Twitter search.

I like the look of chipped bark used as mulch on my garden beds, but right now I just can’t afford it.    So I use grass clippings.  This is good for the soil, it keeps the weeds down, and makes my neighbors happy too!  ( They’re not happy because I’m using grass as mulch)

My neighbors like to de-thatch their lawns in early spring.  They also pick up their grass clippings every time they mow.  We offered a place for them to put all those grass clippings in the back of our lot.  So they bring me all kinds of it.  That’s why their happy.  I’m happy because I didn’t have to spend any of my tight budget on mulch this year, and I don’t have to worry about the weeds either.  So it works out for everyone.