[Stoves] Sunflower Seeds

[William Carr]

I bought some sunflower seeds recently to check them out as a fuel  
source.   $13.15 or so per 50# bag.


They don't ignite cold at all, but added to a hot fire they have some  
considerable fuel value.


Compared, say,  to sawdust from expanded wood pellets mixed with a  
little cooking oil, the sunflower seeds produce less of a flare but  
the heat lasts longer.


I have some lawn space behind our business where I could till and  
plant maybe 50' by 100' of sunflowers as an experiment next year.


After harvest,  lop the heads off, throw them in mesh bags and hang  
until dry.   Then if necessary run the sunflower heads through a  
cement mixer with some rocks to harvest the seeds.

Break up the stalks for starter fuel.   Who knows, they might be as  
good as corn cobs.


I was wondering if anyone else had thought about this.   The  
sunflower seeds I bought are on the small side, but they go through  
the auger in our pellet stove fine.

I will be looking to see what species has the most oil content, most  
productive, without having huge seeds that would have to be crushed...


I'd like to test soybeans but the local mill won't sell soybeans  
except in bulk.