How to make corn stalks pellets:

Pellet stove users can save money by making their own pellet fuel.Pellet fuel can be made from any organic biomass including corn stalks.

Because corn stalks are a byproduct of corn crops and not generally used after the corn is harvested, making corn stalks pellet fuel is an environmental friendly solution for heating fuel. Investing in equipment required to make pellet fuel can be a cost effective option depending on how much pellet fuel you require.

Instructions

1. Put on a dust mask, safety glasses and gloves. Turn on your hammer mill and place a large container below the outlet chute. Feed dried cornstalks one at a time into the hopper of the hammer mill. It will exit the machine in a shredded mass. Turn off the hammer mill when you are finished processing all the stalks.

2. Add water from a spray bottle if necessary to moisturize the shredded corn stalks. You should add enough water so that the pellets are shiny and hard.  If there is not enough moisture, the shredded stalks will not feed into the pellet mill properly.If there is too much moisture, no pellets will come out.

3. Put another large container at the exit chute of your pellet mill and turn on the mill. Wait until it warms up to the right temperature. If the mill is not hot enough, the moisture will not turn into steam. Steam is necessary to distribute the natural lignin content in the shredded stalks that acts as the binding agent for the pellets.

4. Feed the shredded corn stalks into the hopper of the pellet mill by handfuls or small shovelfuls. In a few seconds the pellet mill will press the corn stalks into pellets and eject them out of the chute.

5. Collect all the pellets in the container and allow them to cool. You can then burn them in a pellet stove or store them in sealed bags in a day store them in sealed bags in a dry place until you need them.

Tips & Warnings

You can use sawdust, recycled newspapers and junk mail, lawn clippings, leaves, and other organic matter to make pellets for your pellet stove. Shred the corn stalks and make the pellets outside. The machinery is run on gas or diesel and generate  sex haust fumes.Also, dust accumulating in a closed area can combust. Always wear your safety gear to make pellets.

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