Corn Burner Stoves vs. Wood Pellet

Corn is a highly efficient heating fuel.

Alternate heating methods are gaining in popularity so quickly that it almost seems silly to call them "alternative heating methods." Many households in colder climates are looking for ways to cut heating costs and save money. Some of the most popular new heating systems are corn burning and wood pellet stoves. Both systems are easy to use and can offer substantial savings on a household heating bill.

Potential Savings

Corn burning stoves are one of the most effective heating options. Corn burns at a high temperature and requires less fuel to maintain that temperature than other materials. Wood pellet stoves require more fuel to maintain a steady temperature but they can still provide significant savings over traditional heating options such as natural gas or oil.

Having either a wood pellet stove or corn burning stove along with a traditional furnace enables a family to choose the least expensive heating option at the time. As markets fluctuate and prices of different fuels go up and down, you can alternate between heating sources and better control your heating costs.

Similarities and Differences

Corn pellet stoves burn corn to create heat with high intensity. It is relatively easy to install a corn stove and they can generally be located in any room of the house with proper mounting. Corn stoves do not require a traditional chimney. Instead they can be installed with a simple stove pipe vented through a wall. Corn stoves generally burn at a higher temperature than wood stoves resulting in less fuel being needed to maintain the desired temperature of the home.

Wood pellet stoves generally have self ignition and thermostat controls to help maintain a steady output of heat. However, wood pellet stoves burn at lower temperatures and require more fuel than corn stoves. A wood stove may require a standard chimney, depending on the model of stove.

In both types of stoves, the corn or wood pellets are stored in a compartment that allows the fuel source to automatically be fed to the fire to maintain the needed flame. This reduces the amount of attention the stoves require from the homeowner.

Maintenance

Both wood and corn stoves require some maintenance. The wood pellets create a very fine ash that will need to be removed from the bottom of the stove periodically. Also, depending on the grade of wood pellet being burned a layer of creosote may form on the inside of the stove. Creosote can be highly flammable and needs to be removed from the stove before it is allowed to build up.

Corn stoves also must be cleaned regularly. The sugar from the burned corn leaves behind a substance referred to as clinkers. When allowed to cool this substance will become very hard and can affect the lighting of the stove if too much is allowed to remain.

Environmental Benefits

Both corn and wood stoves offer environmental benefits as both systems are designed to burn very efficiently and cleanly. Both systems emit minimal amounts or pollutants into the air. Both wood and pellet stoves have received good EPA ratings and certain models have been EPA certified.

Is Wood or Corn Better?

There are many factors to consider when deciding which type of stove will be best for your home. Fuel availability, maintenance requirements and ease of use all are important factors that should be considered when deciding between a corn or wood stove.

References

• Alternative Heating Info: Wood Pellet Stoves/Corn Stoves
• Alternative Heating Info: Wood Stove vs. Corn Stoves:The Choice May Be Out of Your Hands