How to Make Your Own Corn Meal and Grits

This year we grew two varieties of corn that we had never tried before -- Bloody Butcher and Trucker's Favorite. Once they dried on the stalk, we harvested the ears and made corn meal for the homestead.
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Planting Trucker's Favorite Corn - shorturl.at/iJuNP
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[@timothygunckel7162]

My brother and I used to shell the corn for our grandfather. He would take over to his blacksmith shop and fire up the hit and miss engine that his mill was hooked to grind it down. A lot of the folks around would bring their corn to him to mill, his fee was one quarter of what they brought.

[@phillipwooten6705]

25% that's smart. Alot of grits.

[@konknowseverything]

inflation fees right there😂

[@MorganBrunson]

@@konknowseverything no that's just smart business. 26% of every dollar I make is eaten up by state and federal income taxes along with social security. Then I pay sales tax when I spend that 74 cents. Always has been roughly the same. Henry viii required 3 months service per yr and part of their produce from the farm. Only difference is no gold standard and introduction of middle men bankers with Adam Smith's economic development of monetary profits vs non fungible profit and trade

[@gbparn]

I've got some TN red cobb that I will shell and get ground on a local stone mill. It may not do any better job than your mill, but I like to support locals and the old boy that runs it is interesting to talk to. Thanks for sharing.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We borrowed that mill from a friend. It's a little slow, but it does a good job.

[@georgawalker533]

The corn sheller is what we used, long time ago, I was a kid then, never will forget the joy of being a kid.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Fun times for sure!

[@Grognarthebarb]

We have an essentially antique one that we use to shell corn for deer and stuff. The cows get fed chop so thankfully it doesn't get used too much but it's a similar design to these except a large fly wheel and two counter rotating plates inside.

[@debrahanlon0801]

I've lived in the city all my life but deep in my heart I'm from the country. I would love to live in an agricultural environment and grow my own foods. Your lawn looks amazing too and what beautiful shade!! Many more blessing to you and your family. ❤️

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Deb Hanlon Thanks for watching. We hope you'll soon be in a setting where you can grow your own food.

[@lanesteele240]

I just started this gardening hobby. Im glad i got you guys as a resource

[@markburrell2778]

Probably a Black Hawk sheller. I could tell by the sound. I've probably shelled half a tractor trailer load of Hastings Prolific thru one just like it.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It's a good sheller!

[@CerveloR5]

Sitting here having some Grits and I wanted to how it was made. I chose your video and it was very well made. No part of the process goes to waste. Learned something new today.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad you enjoyed the video Ethan! Hard to beat homemade grits!

[@30350SWB]

If you are eating ground cornmeal, you are eating mush. Look up grits on Wikipedia. What they make here is just cornmeal of various coarseness/fineness. Grits is made from hominy - corn that has been treated with an alkali in a process called nixtamalization with the pericarp removed. Totally different product. How can these people be from the south and not know this. It's un-Confederate!

[@williamchristopher1560]

Them looked like good outhouse cobs. I know, as my first chore was to go down to the corn crib a couple years before I was old enough to crank the McCormick Deering sheller, and pick up a good 1/2 doz or so cobs for the outhouse. They was all the men/boys used until the mid 50s when we put an inhouse toilet in the pantry, and did away with the pantry.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

My how times have changed.

[@servicioslinguisticos5502]

Um, so what would y'all use the cobs for?

[@georgiarasmussen8343]

@@servicioslinguisticos5502 The way I heard it, you first used a red cob, then you used a white cob to see if you needed another red one.

[@Landsknecht89]

Beautiful! Thank you very much. What do you make of the meal? All I know is polenta. Do you know some traditional recipes? Greetings from Austria.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We use it for frying fish, okra or squash. Also great for making cornbread. Thanks for watching!

[@beebob1279]

Cool. I never knew that's how grits were made. I had them down south and they were delicious. I tried finding them up here but they just weren't good. I tried the long cooking and the instant. But nothing was better then when I had them down south.

[@MarilynR-xu3nq]

That's my favorite corn

[@corawright7279]

It would not have made it to the drying station 😂

[@bartacomuskidd775]

were they good fresh off the stalk? the red ones?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not as good as sweet corn obviously, but they can be eaten as "roasting ears" when still in the milking stage.

[@MarilynR-xu3nq]

Would love to have corn sheller.

[@bobbyharper8710]

Does that sheller leave the soft husk fuzz on the cobb so you can use them in an outhouse?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not sure about that. We've never gotten in that bad of a situation.

[@lesliejacobs1439]

Hoss Tools you were about one month short of having to revise that statement with Covid.

[@thestonehousefarm1942]

This is the coolest company ever

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Joseph!

[@brendapatrick8964]

Where do I buy a corn planter like you have?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

growhoss.com/products/hoss-garden-seeder?variant=45579291656502

[@CC-mx6gd]

Great video. Just milled corn for grits for the first time and didn't think to sift out the meal! Also, as a GA native, those accents made me smile.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Hope your grits were as good as ours! And yes, the meal is very useful too!

[@bartacomuskidd775]

how long will that keep? dried curns?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

For a very long time in the freezer.

[@meachienyghn7878]

You learn something new every day, thank you! Gr8 tutorial😊

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@gaaaamoooom]

Good morning! If you don’t mind me asking What kind of mesh strainer did you use? Are the 2 strainers have different size holes?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not sure the brand of strainer as we borrowed them from a friend. But yes, there are two different sizes. One for meal and one for grits.

[@russellthomas1216]

I planted bloody butcher this .... not sure how 12 ft tall(?) is going to handle out wind. I set them up against the south side of the house and am hopeful.

[@lukepotosky7710]

Thanks a billion! I just ordered a bunch of rhese seeds on amazon! Keep it up!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@peterstorck5349]

I live in Australia, and I don't know why, but I've NEVER seen corn grits being made folks!! AND the closest I've gotten to corn grits, is from watching the Beverly hillbillies!! Where poor old Granny was always cooking grits and 'Innards' etc, from some kind of animal!! I think ,She used to say 'Possum grits from memory!! AND I remember the huge bowl she used to give to Jethro!! AND PLEASE PARDON my 'ignorance' for not knowing!! AND God only knows how, I've seen so.many American tv shows where the family d b eating grits!! But!! I've NEVER seen them being made!! U know how, some of the most delicious foods in the USA and in Australia too!! Were in fact, made up and cooked, by the poorest of pp? like African American families for example, back in the slave days!! AND poor white folks too by GEEZ!!😮BUT!! SOOOO MANY of those foods the poorest ppl HAD!!, to eat or else starve!! Are now delicassies!! For example the cheeks from pigs heads!! AND!!! if you've never tried pigs of 'HOGS' Cheeks that are slow cooked...they're not only delicious!! But in my humble opinion the best tasting part, or cut of meat from a pigs head!! No different than the cheeks or, 'Jowles' from the head of cattle or sheep!! Anyway, as I simply didn't know, I assumed that the Grits were what was leftover; AFTER the kernels had been cut off, or eaten off of the cobs!! BUT!! From what I can fathom from this video, Grits r simply the full cobs of corn that have been dried out using a fan!!! Or, I'd assume before the days of electricity for fans, the cobs d v been left out in the sun too dry°?But!! If course, I don't and can't know that that was the case!! So? Could someone in the USA.. pls be kind enough to tell me exactly how grits ARE IN FACT made!! As my health is deteriorating at the moment, and I just thought, some one in the USA d b kind enough to let me know, exactly how grits ARE IN FACT made!!?? Kind regards Pete.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

The kernels of the cob are dried and ground up. Grits are normally a courser grind than corn meal.

[@EugeniaBonucci1965]

I never knew what grits where or scratch until today wow

[@joeschueler8587]

How does that Bloody Butcher measure up when it comes to eatin' cornbread and grits? I've been growing Roy's Calais Flint corn 'cuz it makes great cornbread. But I'd like to try something a little taller and stouter so I could raise pole beans on it. Accordingly, I would appreciate your taste-test results on the Bloody Butcher.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

The Bloody Butcher meal and grits are amazing! Some of the best grits we've ever had. Would highly recommend! We just started carrying a stone grinding mill which works great for making meal and grits: hosstools.com/product/mockmill-stone-grain-mill/

[@joeschueler8587]

What can you tell me about that Wapsi Valley dent corn you are giving to buyers of the Mock Mill? It appears to have originated in the Wapsinicon River valley of northern Iowa, which is a couple hours from my place here in southeastern Minnesota. Looks like it could be a substitute for the Roy's Calais Flint Corn I've been working with. Flint corn is just too hard to grind for cornmeal and grits.

[@GardeningWithSkinnyBoyRandy]

I have a small 63 stalk field . but its growing in zone 7 right now.

[@GardeningWithSkinnyBoyRandy]

love

[@susantaylor8507]

I'm wanting to grow blue corn for cornmeal and grits and jewl corn

[@vociferonheraldofthewinter2284]

1:12 Well that corn sheller is a LOT less dangerous than the one that ripped the flesh off my hand when I was seven. sheesh.

[@Sinclare-lt3mk]

I just never had farm style grit's. O

[@StrikerEureka85]

i had never heard of a corn sheller. so simple, yet so brilliant! interesting to see how cornmeal is made

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Such a simple yet brilliant tool. It's so fun to use too!

[@molivar5]

Right! I want one and I don’t even grow corn 🌽

[@mgt628]

Hey, great video. I was amazed by the tool you used to separate the corn from the cob. Where can i find that type of equipment ?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It's called a corn sheller. Some companies sell them new, but not sure of the quality. You can usually find them at a flea market.

[@debbiewilson6527]

Ebay

[@adelazepeda8769]

Now i knownhow grits are made from scratch!!

[@chanceskip52]

This video would have been ok but it had music so I didn't get to finish it.

[@wodenviking]

Now you know why there are so many folks with the last name Miller !

[@back2rootsmyalabamahomeste186]

Ready to make cornbread

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Cornbread and soup would be great with this cool spell we're having.

[@tpjudahlion6084]

If the Corn is GMO the grits are too right?...I just tried to feed Ants "Quaker Grits" and the Ants wouldn't touch it....

[@debbiewilson6527]

Its amazing.

[@Dee-qo7gh]

Why don't you take the corn shreader to a steel worker and have them make you a new one.

[@HowardBaileyMusic]

That's great looking flour. I'm hoping to buy one of those Magic Mills next week. Funny I found the ad for the mill and a couple hours later I ran across your video using the exact same one. Very good video!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Very cool!

[@williamchristopher1560]

Servicious. We used them, in my day to wipe our asses with

[@Bradshaw2727]

Awesome video - thanks for sharing. Do you happen to know what moisture level the corn needs to be at when you shell it? I work for a seed company and my department currently shells by hand when taking moisture samples - usually when the moisture is between 30%-40%. He have another department here that uses an electric single ear sheller, but it's pretty expensive so I want to find a good alternative.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not sure the exact moisture level. But when you can rub the ear against your palms and the kernels fall off, it can be shelled. That's usually how we determine when it's time to shell.

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

Wow! Very cool video. Love this. That old sheller is a beaut for sure and can’t believe it works too. Awesome. Thanks for sharing this.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome!

[@papasfatcat8648]

Do you know what the whole grain ratio to corn meal is? In other words, how many cups whole grain shelled corn does it take to make one cup meal? Thanks. Storing grains for emergencies and need to know how much to store.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've never measured it, but there's not a ton of waste. It's not a 1:1 ratio, but it's not too far from that.

[@RandySloan-y9w]

That is good looking corn..

[@willn8664]

This video is a great learning experience. How long does it usually take on average for y'all to harvest the whole field?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not long. These plots are all about 1,000 - 1,500 sq. ft.

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Nice video... Do you use the nixtamalization process on your corn? I'm just now learning what that is. Thanks much and Jesus bless.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

I don't

[@TheDiversifiedFarmer]

I don't particularly care for corn but I gave the video a like anyway. 🌽

[@TheDiversifiedFarmer]

I grew up on homegrown White Hickory and Red Floriani ground and made into those little corn shaped cast irons.

[@kennethschlegel870]

what are you looking for when sorting it in front of the fan? also after shelling is there any extra processing needed if i wanted to store the whole kernels long term in mylar bags and buckets?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Looking for any bugs or pieces that might not have gotten caught by the sifting process. After shelling, just store in the freezer and use when needed.

[@l2iowacowgirl893]

I have the same sheller and grinder! What size sifter do you use? I'm a Yankee and we ate cream of wheat! No grits for me. My husband spent his younger years in the south not sure how to make the best grits! Do you have a tried ND true recipe?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We made the sifter with some screens we had, not sure of the size. Below is a video on making grits.

[@maranscandy9350]

What are good heirloom varieties of corn for parching? I was also wondering if you’ve tried growing the Montana Morado corn which I’ve heard makes a really dark blue cornbread.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We have never tried this, but below is a great article about it. www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/heirloom-corn-zmaz06amzraw/#:~:text=She%20found%20the%20best%20parching,are%20necessarily%20good%20parching%20corns.

[@unguidedone]

at least im not reinventing the wheel

[@gamelard1963]

this is so cool. that corn meal from the butcher looks so yummy lol.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It is very yummy! Makes great grits and meal for frying.

[@debbiewilson6527]

It is, it makes awesome cornbread.

[@marilynweber7957]

can you tell me what the dimensions are of your box, what kind of wood, etc. - - - I've had the corn sheller and did not have the box - I need to protect from blisters and use the corn sheller!!! Thanks

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've already put it up for storage, but we think it is 2 x 4

[@bosslady6261]

Oh wow I haven’t seen this color corn before. I’m in Jamaica how can I buy a hand full to plant in my backyard?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We can't ship seed out of US.

[@ericpercel7695]

Great video! What size sifters are you using and where did you get them?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Eric Percel We made these a while ago when we were attempting to develop a seed sizing system for seed savers. We got the stainless steel mesh online and make the wooden frame to fit around it.

[@ericpercel7695]

Thanks!

[@mwilliamshs]

5:50 no wooden frames. Details on THOSE sifters?

[@philstat100]

Nothing was said about how to make grits or cornmeal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We made both in the video. Just grow some field corn, let it dry, shell it, then grind into grits or cornmeal.

[@carlprice64]

I got a sheller just like it...

[@Ezinma88]

I have never eaten cornmeal or grits. Literally had no clue what it was... but, now I want to try some. What's the difference then between cornmeal and grits? Is it literally that grits is rougher and not as finely blended? I think that I can get coarse white corn grits here in the UK. Is that better than yellow corn grits?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You are correct. Grits are a larger grain while corn meal is finer. There are some subtle differences in taste, but the best corn meal is from the corn you grow yourself!

[@30350SWB]

@@gardeningwithhoss You should know that grits are made from hominy! The corn has to be soaked in a base, like slaked lime, then dried, then ground. Corn meal is NOT grits.

[@lunastar832]

Have to wonder though if their are manual cornmeal grinders electricity ain't always available

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good Question, I'll have to go look now.

[@CharlotteBugYouTubeVideosMore]

Is there a specific grace of sieve you use for the 1st and 2d shaking?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

No, we have specific one's for grits, and cornmeal.

[@MistressOP]

Can you do rough cut grits? What does that taste like?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

What's the difference in stone ground grits and rough cut grits?

[@soulstalgiarecords77740]

How many Cobs does it take (approximately) to fill make about a 11 pound bag?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not sure on that one, will need to measure it out next time.

[@adventureguy4119]

Could you do this with the orinimental rainbow corn

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes

[@brittanybradford9239]

Corn is so much better to harvest than wheat. The amount of work to chafing and winnow wheat is ridiculous, corn not so much

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good to know, we have never tried wheat.

[@Farmd427]

This is awesome! Great video and information guys!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Stephen!

[@jayfromtexas6718]

What a fascinating video! Do you compost the cobs? I guess you could burn them in the shop stove??? Another great video!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You probably could compost them. We just threw them in the pasture and let them break down there.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Y'all ought to do a tribute to the Bayou Gardener. Donald passed away on the 31st of July. He was very proud of your garden tools and spoke highly of them.

[@tommathews3964]

Oh man, that looks great! Good work Greg and Travis! Looks like a fine crop! Thought mine was going to drown this season, then the neighbor's cows wiped me out! Oh well....

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Tom. Better luck with the cows next time!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

This year has been one of the wettest we can remember. But with a vegetable garden, you've gotta be able to roll with the punches and try to adapt as much as possible.

[@Angie-ci1lp]

THANK YOU!!! Most city folks have no idea how all this goodness come about🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

[@trevorbyron9448]

An amazing example of holistic living. Make your own ground corn meal, corn flour, malt, beer, bourbon....

[@ThrivingCountry]

Could you regrind the scratch or is it mostly husk and undesirable?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You could, but we use it as chicken feed and worm feed.

[@lukepotosky7710]

Greeting from Texas! I've always wanted to grow corn, dry it out, then eat it. If I live in a not very populated part of Houston, how would I get started in growing and harvesting it? Thanks!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Make sure you start with a square plot because corn is wind-pollinated and square plots provide better pollination and fuller ears. Corn is a heavy feeder which means it likes plenty of water and nitrogen.

[@lukepotosky7710]

Do you sell any heavy feeder feetilizer b/c I can't seem to find it in stores near me here in Texas. Also, do you know where I could get one of those corn sheller down here in Houston? Thanks!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

This Chilean Nitrate fertilizer (hosstools.com/product/chilean-nitrate-fertilizer/) works great on corn. Not sure about the corn sheller or if there's even a good one sold nowadays. Might want to check the flea markets -- that's where we found ours.

[@g-whiz286]

Grits is made from ground hominy. Hominy is made from nixtamalized corn. There is no pericarp (the outer hull) in grits. Hominy is easier to grind, has a better flavor, and is more nutritious. You made two different grades of cornmeal.

[@stocks4bt]

I am beginner gardener. Can I grow corn in a pot or do I need a large garden to grow it in.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Absolutely! But you need the right sized pot. If you're serious about getting a real harvest the container needs to be at least 12 inches deep, but 16 inches is preferred. You will need multiple pots as corn is pollinated by the wind.

[@leggomuhgreggo]

Awesome

[@germswill]

I like your seed planter where can I get one? Nice videos

[@gardeningwithhoss]

www.hosstools.com

[@Covamii]

Wow what a good harvest. I bet those grits taste good. Thank y’all for this inspiring video.

[@jakers785]

Hate to ask a question on an older video so my apologies but shaker screens are the a different size or are shaking to a texture Sorry this whole process just fascinates me

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Yes, there are two different sizes of mesh -- one for meal and one for grits.

[@marshallfarm5455]

@@gardeningwithhoss where can I find the 2 different size mesh? Are they numbered?

[@kaylataylor103]

Dose it have to be Indian corn? Or could it be sweet corn?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Sweet corn shrinks too much and will not dry out for this.

[@susantaylor8507]

Were you get your grinder I just have a kitchen aid grinder

[@gardeningwithhoss]

From a Flea Market many years ago.

[@1new-man]

excellent inspirational production!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@David-kd5mf]

Any chance you guys could start selling corn shellers?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

No plans, but great idea

[@mattingly1217]

Where can you buy those sifters?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good question. Someone gave us these. They are quite hard to find.

[@AndrewDegginger-xs2qj]

Where did you get that grinder at? I really like that design

[@gardeningwithhoss]

From a flea market and we built the box.

[@chrisjohnson5790]

Thank You for this great Video!!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You are so welcome!

[@waltlars3687]

Any plans to sell a up dated new sheller ?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It's definitely possible ...

[@the_hybred648]

What kind of corn mill/grinder is that

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Mock Mill

[@scottolson5285]

What size screens do you boys use and where can I buy them.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We bought some different size screens and made our own.

[@tammya2064]

Can you tell us about the strainers you used please

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We made our own with stainless steel mesh.

[@quackerfarm1234]

Where can I find some seeds for what you grew

[@gardeningwithhoss]

www.hosstools.com

[@fightingbear8537]

What screen sized sifters are you using?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Unsure, it has been a few years.

[@mkshffr4936]

That sheller is soooo cool!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks

[@peterbilt5104]

Another great video. I found a company that has one similar to the one you are using. if it's ok to post the link ..

[@gardeningwithhoss]

peter bilt Sure, go ahead.

[@peterbilt5104]

Here is the link I was talking about pleasanthillgrain.com/maximizer-hand-corn-sheller-manual-walnut-maize-dehuller

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That one appears to have great reviews. Unfortunately, it's imported which makes it hard to get for retailers like us. If we could find a quality one that was made in the USA, we would definitely carry it.

[@anthonywright2166]

I REMEMBER COMING UP,WE MADE A GAME OUT SHELLING CORNE WITH ONE OF THOSE OLD SHELLERS.

[@dixielitteken8117]

what kind of greenhouse is that and is a kit form

[@gardeningwithhoss]

www.atlasgreenhouse.com

[@will904420]

Another great video bro.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Will Chism Thanks!

[@melodywright2276]

Excellent teaching. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you

[@billierpaxton9260]

Bloody Butcher cornbread is really good.

[@OzziesOddities]

Nice color on the corn. Our sheller is very similar. I really appreciated watching this video.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickbeikor7121]

Hi,what is the name of this machine you are using sir

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That is a corn sheller.

[@NamiNoKanki]

What size are the sifters for separating the cornmeal, grits and scratch?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Not sure, but we have another video coming out soon that goes into detail on sizes you need for each.

[@NamiNoKanki]

@@gardeningwithhoss Thanks, I look forward to seeing it.🌽