For best results, the quality of shelled corn to be burned in a corn-burning stove or boiler must be specified.

Moisture Content - The moisture content of the shelled corn should be no higher than 15.5%. Higher moisture contents will result in the growth of mold and mildew in the corn, thereby leading to spoilage of the corn. The growth of fungi will likely create problems of the corn clumping together in the storage area and the corn may not feed properly through the distribution system into the combustion chamber of the stove or boiler. There is also the danger of the fungal spores causing or aggravating respiratory problems with the people exposed to the spores.

Whenever the moisture content of the corn is above 15.5%, then there will be less heat available from each pound of shelled corn. For each one percent increase in moisture content above 15.5%, there will be a corresponding reduction of about 90 BTU of heat per pound of shelled corn.

Some models of corn-burning stoves and boilers may require that the moisture content of the shelled corn be as low as 13% to get efficient combustion of the corn. Be sure to ask the dealer or manufacturer about the recommended moisture content of shelled corn for efficient combustion.

Cleanliness of Shelled Corn - The shelled corn needs to be clean, with a minimum of broken kernels and foreign materials (cob pieces, husks, stalks, stones, and other residue). Small pieces of corn kernels may interfere with proper combustion and likely cause some smoking problems. The foreign materials tend to clog the flow of the shelled corn into the stove's combustion chamber. Specify U. S. Grade #2 to get the shelled corn with just a small amount of broken corn and foreign materials (BCFM). If there are problems associated with burning Grade #2, then it may be necessary to specify U. S. Grade #1 which will have even less BCFM. However, Grade #1 corn will be considerably more expensive than Grade #2.

Dennis Buffington
Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Penn State University
Email: dbuffington@psu.edu
814-865-2971 (Voice)
814-863-1031 (FAX)