Where do ya get corncobs?

Mark M · August 26, 2003, 08:42:59 AM

So then, I know this is a dumb question but where would I look to get some corncobs for burning? I think most corn is harvested with combines or chopped nowadays. I remember seeing corn cribs in Indiana when I was a kid but don't see them around here so maybe someone can tell me where to look. Maybe a certain type of processing plan or sumptin?

Mark

Bibbyman · August 26, 2003, 08:44:40 AM

Maybe someone grows popcorn in your area.

Tom · August 26, 2003, 09:13:59 AM

I thought they came from the grocery store with those little yellow bulbs attached to the outside. Sure would take a long time to get enough to use for fuel unless your whole apartment building ate the stuff. :-/

Norm · August 26, 2003, 09:22:03 AM

If you have seed corn companies near you they may sell you whole cobs but most take all the refuse (husks, cobs and rejects) and chop it for the cattle lots. Some farmers still pick ears and then shell in the spring but they are few and far between. When I was young we had a shed for cobs that were dry and used them in our furnace to supplement the wood but since the combine you very seldom see anyone shelling corn anymore. If you have a farm bureau spokesman circular you may try an ad in it.

beenthere · August 26, 2003, 09:33:51 AM

Wondering here why you are interested in burning corn cobs. I thought one would burn cobs only if they were "excess, and in the way, and needing disposing of". Not so, if you have to search for them. ;D
Seems if you are looking for fuel, then the 'wood yard' where you get your sawlogs would be the ideal fuel. Also, seems I remember you asking about wood splitters. Splitting wood may not be as much fun as sawing logs, but a wood fuel supply for you and others might be 'kinda' fun.

In WI, there are a few who pick ear corn, and put it in a crib. The usual plan is then to grind the whole ear with feed supplements, so again, there is no cob left to get rid of.
How about putting 'diapers' on some of those combines, and collect the cobs before they drop to the ground? ;D :D

No cobs may be why the outdoor privy disappeared from the landscape (almost). ;D

Sawyerfortyish · August 26, 2003, 10:52:36 AM

Just ask a local farmer. Most combines chop what goes through them but I don't think they chop it that well so you may still find some in the field. What are you using them for? I know some people use them in smokehouses along with wood chips

whitepe · August 26, 2003, 11:06:54 AM

My Mom rents the home ground in Indiana to
a guy that raises popcorn for Orville Redenbacher
so Bibbyman's idea of a popcorn company is a good
one. Problem is, I don't know of any kind of corn
grown anywhere near Bismark. ???

Fla._Deadheader · August 26, 2003, 11:11:29 AM

After seeing your "log yard', I can't believe that the tool you need wouldn't be a "Chipper" ???

Bro. Noble · August 26, 2003, 11:45:19 AM

Mark,

Check with the agronomy dept of your local agricultural college. They sometimes harvest earcorn on their test plots. Some seed corn producers might also do the same. My brother runs a research station in Nebraska. I'm pretty sure they pick their test plots as ear corn. Occasionally you will see a farmer that still picks ear corn.
I got an old corn planter and picker that I'd be glad to loan you if you promise to NEVER bring it back :D

jimbo · August 26, 2003, 05:50:46 PM

What color are you looking for whiter or red ? ;D

Mark M · August 26, 2003, 06:43:44 PM

Some of these stoves I've been looking at will burn corn cobs. I figured if I could get me a bunch it might work well since they are light weight and you don't have to split them. ;) I have a lot of wood right now but am going to have to put off getting the splitter for a while as I am running out of money faster than I am running out of ideas. I think I am going to end up getting a Central Boiler instead of the gasification unit since the price appears to have gone up 900 bucks in the last 3 days and it will cost me about 1000 to get it delivered. :(

Mark

Ron Wenrich · August 26, 2003, 06:58:03 PM

If there is a feed mill in the area, you might find some there. I used to buy ear corn for my goats, and they had shelled corn there as well. I don't know what they do with the cobs.

I was at an old grist mill many years ago, and they were burning the cobs as the water power did the work of grinding the grain.

Jeff · August 26, 2003, 07:18:05 PM

Have you considered a stove that burns corn? They have those at the stoveshop that I do web work for and they are really something. I think they will burn wood pellets also.

Tom · August 26, 2003, 07:19:52 PM

We have boilers that boil corn here-abouts.

Jeff · August 26, 2003, 07:37:22 PM

cornburner

DanG · August 26, 2003, 07:59:56 PM

Well, I see several options, here. Corncobs ain't among them. The real energy in corn is in the kernels, not the cobs, not to say that the cobs don't make good fuel. I think the "corn burning stoves" use shelled corn.
You could get FDH to make you a boiler like he posted about a while back. I will deliver it personally for a thousand bucks. ;D You could put the thing in one of those little lawn buildings from Home Depot and it would look just like the Central Boiler unit. Then you could get a wood splitter with part of the money you saved. Better yet, you could get a good ax to split with and you'd only need half as much wood, since you'd be nice and warm for a while after doing the splitting.

Fla._Deadheader · August 26, 2003, 08:10:16 PM

With MY design, ya don't NEED to split that wood. The door is 22" square. ;) ;D

Mark M · August 27, 2003, 07:57:24 AM

I've seen those corn burners at the state fair and they are pretty neat. The burn clean and have a pleasant smell. Would be nice to heat a couple of rooms but I don't know if they have the big boilers, that and I don't think I could grow enough corn. ;)

DanG that sounds like a plan. I think if I used an axe I wouldn't need any heat at all, depending on where I end up. Heaven is warm year round (I hope I'm going there) and hell is heated with coal (I think). :D I'm sure I would go someplace if I started splitten a couple truckloads by hand after spending the last 10 years sitting on my butt most of the time. The Central Boiler model has a 23" x 31" door so I probably won't have to split as much. I do have some big elm and cottonwood logs that would have to be whittled down a bit. Maybe I could cut them into about 20 inch lengths and then build a ramp and just roll them into the fire? Yeah - that's the ticket!

Mark