OT: for those thinking of a pellet/corn stove.

You need to be able to store the corn and pellets. Corn needs to be stored in heavy plastic garbage cans (like the rubbermaid type) so that mice will not eat the corn through the burlap bags. You will also need a steady supplier for the corn or pellets. Be sure your local hardware store sells pellets, you can order online through a few places. Last year a place in Tennessee quoted me a price of $229/ton with a 4 ton minimum + delivery fee (dont remember what that was) I bought my pellet this year from a local Do-it-best lumber place, 10 miles away. Wood pellets will take up space. I have mine lined up along an exterior wall and stacked up like bricks in the garage. (I bought only 1 ton so far this year) The best way to load the stove is using 5 gallon buckets. You will need to be in shape enough to lift 40 pound bags and fill the buckets and carry them into the house. Starting the stove: I read where a guy used diesel fuel to start his. I use 3 table spoons or so of denatured alcohol (I have a squirt bottle of it) with 1/2 a glass of wood pellets, 1 match and poof instant fire. My stove uses about 25 pounds of pellets in 12 hours on a low to medium setting which keeps the house at a constant 70F when it is 20F outside. Be sure that the insurance company knows you have the stove or they will not make a payout if you have a chimmney fire. Insurance cost is about $150/year for a solid fuel burner. Last year I used about 2000 pounds of corn and about 2400 pounds of pellets. For the whole winter. This year I will use a lot less corn, because corn doesnt burn as clean as the wood pellets. As far as the price of corn and pellets. Corn $8 for a 100 pounds (in my area) Pellets $200/ton (plus delivery price)

Disadvantages of the corn-pellet stove.

1. you need 120VAC power to run the unit If there is a power outage...then no heat. 2. the stove costs $2,200, large cordwood stoves are a little cheaper. 3. not as cheap as firewood (if you can get the firewood for nearly free) or you have a wooded lot. 4. You have to lift 40 lb bags of pellets and my local corn farmer sells his corn in 100 lb sacks, which is heavy. 5. I dont run the stove when I am at work. (safety reasons)

Main advantage of a pellet/corn burner. About $750 saved last heating season.

My Harmon requires little maintance, just dump the ashes every 3-4 days and maybe clean the glass or vacume it out every week or so.

With regards to power, yes, if you loose juice, the fire will go out, but most of the units actually use very little power, my dealer tells me they"ve ran a Harmon for 10 hours on one of those backup batteries that you get for a PC from an office supply store, so that is a great option if you don"t have a genny.

Yes, the large cordwood stove units are cheaper, but what about the piping and install to get them tied into your HVAC?

I haul the corn to the house in 5 gal buckets ~24# each, so not bad to lift.

If you value your time at all, cutting, hauling and stacking wood does add up to a decent amount of $$

Just my thoughts.

Ok, what the heck is a face cord?? We buy, sell wood in a cord measurements; 1/4 cord, 1/2 cord and a cord, which is measured as 4ft by 4ft by 8ft.

Keith & Shawn