| The Bixby corn stove was introduced to the | | | | automatically dispenses the necessary amount of |
| market in 2002 by Bob Walker. His name may | | | | corn to ignite the fire pot in minutes. |
| not ring a bell, but the Sleep Number Bed, which | | | | While traditional pellet stoves use an auger to |
| he also invented, surely will. | | | | feed the fuel into the burn pot, the Bixby Ferris |
| Walker's vision of 21st century heating also | | | | Wheel design feeder system rejects foreign |
| includes a bio mass pellet that can be | | | | materials that cause jamming. |
| manufactured locally from whatever resources | | | | The hopper on the Bixby corn stove holds 106 |
| are available such as crop or animal waste. The | | | | pounds of dry shelled corn, wood pellets or Bixby |
| pellets would be distributed in much the same | | | | Certified Biomass Pellets. This is sufficient capacity |
| way heating oil is delivered. | | | | for once a day loading. Even on the coldest days, |
| Although Mr. Walker's vision may not become | | | | the stove burns only 1.5 bushels of corn. |
| reality tomorrow, today's Bixby corn burning | | | | A stove owner from eastern Iowa says he heats |
| stove is already in its third generation. | | | | his entire 2,100 square foot home with the Bixby |
| As the title of this article implies, these stoves | | | | stove aided by ceiling fans running in reverse to |
| don't come cheap. Bixby's latest, the Model 115, is | | | | help distribute the warm air. The total cost to |
| priced from around $3,995 and gets more | | | | heat his home for the entire winter was only |
| expensive with the addition of deluxe trim options. | | | | $250. |
| What really sets this stove apart from the | | | | Depending on the outside temperature, 8 |
| competition is its ease of use and exceptional | | | | different push button heat levels are available |
| 97% fuel efficiency rating. At 97%, the Bixby is | | | | from 8,000 to 50,000 BTU's. This feature is useful |
| 12-17% more efficient than any other pellet stove | | | | in controlling fuel consumption when the outdoor |
| on the market. | | | | temperature is fluctuating during season changes. |
| To put it another way, the Bixby stove | | | | Bixby Energy Systems backs the quality of its |
| consumes 12-17 % less fuel to generate the | | | | MaxFire 115 with an industry best 7 year limited |
| same amount of heat produced by similar sized | | | | warranty on workmanship/materials as well as a |
| stoves. | | | | 4 year warranty on mechanical/electrical. Regional |
| Another benefit of nearly 100% efficiency is less | | | | service technicians are also available to fine tune |
| ash. Actually, there is no fly ash at all. Rather, an | | | | the operation of your stove according to climate |
| ash cake about 3 inches round is automatically | | | | and altitude. |
| expelled from the burn pot into the ash drawer | | | | Buying any pellet stove to supplement or replace |
| twice a day. With little waste to dispose of, the | | | | your existing heating system is a major decision. |
| ash drawer needs to be emptied only once a | | | | For many homeowners, spending the extra $1800 |
| week. | | | | for a Bixby corn stove is simply out of the |
| Other drawbacks associated with owning a pellet | | | | question. |
| fueled stove have also been thoughtfully | | | | Many consumers actually prefer the looks of a |
| eliminated. | | | | traditional corn stove over the Bixby, which |
| Rather than using kindling to start the fire, the | | | | makes considering the additional expense a moot |
| Bixby uses a flameless, hot air vortex system. | | | | point. |
| Just push the ON button, and the stove | | | | |