Wood Stove Vs. Corn Burning Stove

Pellets for a Wood Pellet Stove.

As natural gas and other heating fuel prices continue to rise, many families are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes. Wood and corn pellet stoves are growing in popularity as an answer to the demand for alternative heating systems. Both systems are easy to use and can offer substantial savings on a household heating bill.

Wood Vs. Corn Stoves

Wood pellet stoves burn tightly compressed wood, or pellets. These wood stoves usually have self ignition and thermostat controls to help maintain a steady output of heat. The pellets are stored in a compartment of the stove that allows for them to automatically be added to the fire to maintain the needed flame. This also reduces the amount of attention the stove requires from the homeowner. A wood stove may require a standard chimney depending on the model of stove.

Corn pellet stoves work similarly to wood stoves; however, they burn corn. Corn stoves can be installed in a house without adding a chimney, as a simple stove pipe vented through a wall is sufficient. Corn stoves generally burn at a higher temperature than wood stoves resulting in less fuel being needed to maintain the desired temperature throughout the home.

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. 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 it is allowed to remain.

Availability of Fuel

The decision of whether to get a wood stove or a corn stove may depend on the region in which you live. On the East Coast, wood pellets are readily available for purchase. However, a corn stove owner in that part of the country would have a hard time finding enough fuel to burn and would pay a premium price for it, whereas a family looking for alternative heating options in the Midwest would benefit greatly from a corn stove versus a wood stove.

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.

Which Is Better?

There are many factors to consider when deciding which type of stove would be best for your home. Fuel availability, maintenance requirements and ease of use are important factors that should be considered when deciding between a corn or wood stove. However, based on the fundamentals of how each type of stove works, one type is not necessarily preferable over the other.

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