indian Corn

wyoDreamer

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I just bought a bag of Pickling Lime so I can try treating some of the indian corn to make tortillas. Wish me luck, Hope I don't poison us.
 

CrealCritter

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Ok my review of Rite Farm Products Corn Sheller Model #HCS
Screenshot_2018-11-14-12-00-21.png


The bad
It's made in China, all cast iron that has absolutely zero deburring, watch for cuts and scratches it's really rough! It's your typical piece of Chinese crap. The paint was not sprayed, the parts were dipped so the finish is full of runs and looks like crap also. I hardly got it together because the holes for the legs are misaligned.

Given about an hour or two and a set of files, some sand paper, drill bits, and spray paint I could make the fit and finish a lot better. Wife has a saying around here "Made in China Fixed by American" her saying rigs true again...

Ok now the good points...
1) surprisingly it has real bearings although don't expect top shelf bearings, remember it's made in China. But at least it's not bushings.

2) it actually works pretty well. I put a cob of corn in, turned the handle a few times and kernels flew all over the place. I need to figure out some kind of catcher.

3) Once the cob is clean it is discharged out the side, so at least it doesnt drop into your kernels.

The machine itself does what its supposed to and seems like it would last a while. So I give the machine a B grade but the fit and finish receives a F. So all in all I would say this is an overall grade of C-.

Is it worth $65.00 the way it stands? Nah not really, well maybe... but it has a 30 day free return and refund that I probably will take advantage of after I use it to shell all my indian corn. Then again I might keep it and fix the fit and finish this winter when I'm bored - who knows?

Pics...
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wyoDreamer

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Sorry you are not real happy with it. It does look like China crap in your photos.
I liked the side eject of the finished cob also.
The one we bought is red and came pre-assembled. It is imported also, but the quality seems much better than yours. It is a little rough, but not nearly as rough as yours looks. They are sold out though, so maybe the next batch they get will be more like yours, who knows. The flywheel on ours was put on the shaft a little crooked, but otherwise seems to be well made.
If it is throwing corn all over, then I am glad that ours is made to be installed on a board and they recommended that we make a wooden frame to sit in a plastic bin to catch the corn as it flies all over.

My corn is still drying, how do I know when it is dry enough to shuck and store?
 

CrealCritter

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Sorry you are not real happy with it. It does look like China crap in your photos.
I liked the side eject of the finished cob also.
The one we bought is red and came pre-assembled. It is imported also, but the quality seems much better than yours. It is a little rough, but not nearly as rough as yours looks. They are sold out though, so maybe the next batch they get will be more like yours, who knows. The flywheel on ours was put on the shaft a little crooked, but otherwise seems to be well made.
If it is throwing corn all over, then I am glad that ours is made to be installed on a board and they recommended that we make a wooden frame to sit in a plastic bin to catch the corn as it flies all over.

My corn is still drying, how do I know when it is dry enough to shuck and store?

Thanks for the reply...

If yours is the same model, It sounds like the seller may have assembled yours and fixed some of the fit and finish issues, the sold it for an up charge. Which is pretty common for sellers to do. Buy a couple hundred for a greatly reduced price then "make them right" and sell for an up charge. My experience with buying made in China is usually bad and this item is no exception to the rule for sure.

As for the catcher your idea of a box is a good one :)

When the kernels are shrunken and move easily on the cob with your finger (like a loose tooth) they should be dry enough to run though this Sheller. You don't want the machine's teeth to shread the kernles, just remove them from the cob is all. You may have to play around with the adjustment wing nut to get it adjusted correctly to the size of your cobs.

I also purchased a hand grinder and I'll write a review of it also. After I receive it and use it. Hopefully it's fit and finish is better than the Sheller. It's supposed to be all aluminum so fingers crossed.
Screenshot_2018-11-14-13-57-14.png
 
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baymule

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I am waiting on your review of the hand grinder. I have an electric mill with a hand crank option. I never tried the hand crank, maybe I should. LOL
 

CrealCritter

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My wife had a good idea duct tape a plastic bag around the bottom of the Sheller, It works pretty good.

I shelled about 25 lbs of the lighter colored indian corn. I never realized just how heavy corn kernels are once you get them off the cob. I think I got enough for a pan of cornbread but I need a recipe. You all have any recipes?

I still have quite a bit of shelling to do with the darker colored red ears but here's about 25 lbs of lighter colored ears in a paper grocery bag.
IMG_20181116_101638217.jpg


Edit.

Even with a plastic bag duct taped around the sheller it still makes a big mess. But it was easy to vacuum up.
IMG_20181116_114831891_HDR.jpg


I'd say I the darker colored ears yeilded about 50lbs this bag is pretty heavy.
IMG_20181116_121354699.jpg


Next comes grinding, just waiting on FedEx to deliver the grinder.
 
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