Grinding corn question

[bmill]

  I raised a few acres of Hopi Blue corn this summer. I've been looking at some different grinders and wonder if anybody here has a suggestion. It doesn't need to be very big as I just grind for home use. I was using my wife's small coffee grinder until I broke it.  We use the corn for muffins and cornbread.

  It's very tasty, and yes, it's blue. ;)

[olyman]

we have a kitchen aid mixer, and have the grinder attachment for it--sooooooo     ????????   a FEW acres??? how many bushels you end up with???? enough to feed a army???  ;D

[Bro. Noble]

We used to raise corn and made our own cornmeal sometimes.  We used an old 'Letz' mill.  I don't know how hard they are to come by.  Might find one at a flea market or 'junque' store.  They have about a bushel hopper and use steel burrs.  Ours is powered by a flat belt and tractor,  but they could easily be converted to use a V belt and electric motor.

[Tom]

What you need to begin with is a running stream.  Then you build a big building over it and hang a water wheel from it that will turn a great big stone against another great big stone and put your corn in between them.  It'll grind it right up. 

[pigman]

Tom, that is such an unique idea, you should see if you can get a patent.

[york]

OR


http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/

[Gary_C]

Just do a search for roller mills or corn roller mills and there are many to choose from. I saw a hand crank one for $69. You can get a roller mill and make your own oatmeal too, that is if you like oatmeal.  :

[bmill]

 The stream might be a bit out of my price range. I will check on the letz, and the pleasent hill link has some nice grinders. Thanks. A good crop will produce about 35 bushel per acre, I got 20 and was pretty happy for year one. It is naturally pollinated and I did not spray anything on it, all natural. (truth be told, I intended to spay but got busy and never got it done)

[Norm]

I've read about the blue corn but never thought about a small field of it. Can you tell me where you got the seed at bmill? Any other tips on growing it would be appreciated too.

[olyman]

think the spraying would have affected your yields any, esp since it was such a wet year???  also--compare the taste with reg yellow corn--eggsplain diff--just ques---

[bmill]

  I called all over looking for the seed and ended up getting help from the New Mexico Extension Office. They hooked me up with a seed dealer in Southern Colorado who supplied me bulk seed. It cost me about $100 for 5 acres of seed. I only planted 2 acres (long story on why this happened). I would be more than happy to supply anyone on the forum who wants some seed. You have to plan this at least 300 yards from "regular corn" as it is naturally pollinated. 

  It is really good and a great conversation piece. I'm giving several 5lb bags for christmas presents.

[Gary_C]

Can you tell me where you got the seed at bmill?

Try Albert Lea Seedhouse

http://www.alseed.com/

I think their web site is under construction for the new seed year and I can't find last years catalog, but I am sure they will have it or can get some blue corn.

[Norm]

I might have to give it a try then. We'll be putting beans around the house next year so cross pollination should be no problem. Thanks for the help guys.

[bmill]

  I can't find the name of the seed company I used, but I'm heading down to my land on friday and I'll look at the bag and post the name. In my earlier post I did not mean to imply I was trying to sell my corn here on the site.  I would be more than happy to send seed to anyone who wants some.

 As for the taste, it's kind of hard to explain but it is almost a nutty. It is also rich in anti-oxidants (food that is naturally blue is richer in anti-oxidants....at least that is what I've read)  If you google blue corn, there are some articles that talk about this aspect. The main reason I'm trying this out is that I live in Iowa, the home of a billion acres of yellow corn, and  wanted to try something a little different. It makes for good conversation at the local watering hole.

[Norm]

Oh I didn't take it that way either bmill.

I can just see the look on my buddies face next year when I ask him to take a look at this corn I grew. :D

[olyman]

Oh I didn't take it that way either bmill.

I can just see the look on my buddies face next year when I ask him to take a look at this corn I grew. :D

and your going to tell him it must have been the blue colored spray you used on it that turned it blue????  ;D :D

[Don_Papenburg]

b mill ,  Call815-672-6172 Ask for Keith ,  He should have one or two small steel burmills that you could hook up to an electric motor.  He picks them up at auctions and rebuilds them .  I sand blast the rust and grime out of them for him.  Tell him that Don Papenburg sent you and that you want a discount . but only after you hear his first price. ;D

[bmill]

Thanks!  I will call him shortly, you gotta love this site.

[timberfaller390]

look up the Lehman's non electric catalog. They have a half dozen small mills including one that will clamp to the kitchen counter.