Stocking up on corn to get you through the cold months is great. This insures you have fuel readily available without buying and hauling repeatedly throughout the winter. Most corn stove owners know about how much corn they will need, but it’s not uncommon to have some left over. Which begs the question, “is it ok that I’m storing corn until next fall?”

Can I keep the corn and use it next fall?

No. Storing corn during the humid months is extremely difficult. To be able to burn corn in your corn stove, you must maintain the proper level of dryness. Yes, you made sure it was correct when you bought your corn last fall, but the cold winter months and dry weather helped keep your corn in good condition.

The warm and humid summer weather is not conducive to storing corn. It will absorb moisture and not be a quality fuel for you to burn in the fall. We recommend that you find an alternative use for your leftover corn now. Next fall, buy new, properly dried corn, so that your corn stove operates and burns as efficiently as possible and you avoid unwanted headaches associated with burning moisture ridden corn.

Here are some ideas of what other people have done with their leftover corn:

1. Fill squirrel feeders
2. Crack the corn and use it in bird feeders.
3. Feed your chickens or give it to someone who has chickens or other livestock that would eat quality corn.
4. Supplement your campfire with corn
5. Make a HOT-COLD corn buddy: Fill a sock with corn, tie a knot. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes for a heating pad or store in the freezer for a fast ice-pack
6. Let the kids plant it and see if they can get the corn to sprout and grow; journal it, photograph it, blog it.
7. Fill a sensory table with corn; similar to a sandbox, but less messy and easier to clean up. A small plastic swimming pool works great.
8. Compost it
9. Drop it off at an approved deer or wildlife feeding location

Do you have other ideas? Share your ideas or pictures with us and others on our Facebook page.