Corn Furnace

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I saw on the news the other day about a family that was heating there home with a furnace that used dried corn kernals. this sounded pretty interesting considering corn is a very renewable resorce. Does anyone know any more info about this type of furnace? Like how much corn it takes in a winter, How well does it heat, how much does it cost, and where can they be purchased? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-- Nathan Oberdier (nathano@midohio.net), February 25, 2001

Answers

This is the FOURTH active thread on corn furnaces. Why don't you folks get together?

-- Lynn Goltz (lynngoltz@aol.com), February 25, 2001.

At least they're aren't arguing,Lynn!! LOL!

-- Ardie (a6203@hotmail.com), February 25, 2001.

Nathan, I just saw a segment on the news and there is a place in Hutchinson, Minnesota that manufactures the furnaces. I only saw part of the story but it really does look interesting. The furnace looks like a freestanding fireplace. There seems to be a bin on top of it in which you place one bushel of corn. There is a rotating mechanism that slowly drops the kernels into the flames inside the furnace. I believe the news segment was on CBS. JoAnn

-- JoAnn (jonehls@excite.com), March 02, 2001.

The segment today was on Dan Rather's evening news report, CBS. You could probably access that through the net if you don't wait too long.

-- Barbara Fowler (bwfowler@juno.com), March 02, 2001.

Hi Nathan,,,i watched that segment on the news also and was very interested in what I saw..I was very impressed. However,,he said the stoves were selling for $2100.00 and going like hotcakes..I bet his business will continue to expand due to the energy crisis taking place out here in the Northwest. It is affecting Montana now.***I could never afford one but(after some research resulting in positive heat production) if I could,, I would definitely give it a try. A person could raise their own fuel. :-),,It's good to see some more alternatives.,,,,

-- Patsy (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), March 03, 2001.


The family that was interviewed for the CBS news segment said they were motivated by $600 per month heating costs. They now are heating their home with two of the corn furnaces (which look like upscale steel wood stoves) and are now only spending $60 per month to heat their home. So, although the initial cost was high, the payback for this family was about four months of the heating season. The father of the family said that they are now acutally planning on going to Disney World with the savings they are making with their new stove. I could think of better things to do with the savings, but you get the point.

-- John Fritz (JohnFritz24@hotmail.com), March 03, 2001.

Here's a link to the story:

Energy By The Ear

And a Google search brought up the company's web site:

Country Side Corn / Wood Pellet Appliances

Looks like a pretty interesting stove. I may have to take a drive out to Hutchinson to get a closer look at it.

-- Jim Morris (prism@bevcomm.net), March 03, 2001.


BTW, the web site has a form you can fill out to receive more info through the mail on the stove.

Request More Information

-- Jim Morris (prism@bevcomm.net), March 03, 2001.


Just so everyone realizes, corn furnaces are different than corn stoves.

-- Lisa In WI (lehman16@vbe.com), March 05, 2001.

We carry the Snowflame line of corn stoves. If you are interested you may look at our website www.corntoves.homestead.com I would be glad to answer any questions you have.

-- Lisa Davis (cornstoves@cs.com), April 28, 2001.


We build the best corn furnace on the market.Our furnaces are 100,000 btu forced air,self cleaning,and made in Lexington,Michigan.These furnaces will heat a 2500 square foot house with good insulation and windows with about 250 to 300 bushels of corn ,wheat,rye,etc.We probaly have one in your area.Call use for info,810-359-7985.The cost is $2900.00 plus shipping. Ja-Ran Enterprises Inc.

-- Randy McLachlan (randy@ja-ran.com,www.ja-ran.com), March 19, 2002.

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