Hi,

We are all capable of growing sunflowers. In the past, I have used ground sunflower seeds as flour for pancakes. But these were "shelled" sunflowers. I'm sure that whoever shelled them did not do so by hand, so there must be some sort of machine. Does anyone know what kind of machine does this, and where a person could get one (preferably hand powered, or adaptable to being powered by pedal power or dc electricity?

thanks for the help

Jumpoff Joe

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), July 06, 1999

Answers

I've never tried it, but a simple rolling pin might do the trick.

-- Dog Gone (layinglow@rollover.now), July 06, 1999.

Thanks, Dog Gone,

I might try that in a pinch, but I suspect that those who deal in selling shelled sunflower seeds don't have a bunch of people sitting around using a rolling pin! There's gotta be a more efficient way. But thanks, I really appreciate your having responded. Maybe the rolling pin, then a fan to separate the shells from the seeds.

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), July 06, 1999.

Get a squirrel - they really do a good job but they are a bit messy. Only other problem is that it is really really hard to get the seed away from them...

Sorry - could resist - just finished sweeping the deck where the squirrel feeder is. They are sooo messy but the babies are so cute!!

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), July 07, 1999.

An old hand grinder should come with a number of different sized plates to control the size of the grind. Eaull Gibbons mentioned using one of these to shell the seeds. Then put them in a container of water. The hulls will float to the top.

-- Jon Williamson (jwilliamson003@sprintmail.com), July 07, 1999.