How to remove stuck wheat husk

Hi guys,


I just started winnowing my wheat.

I realise that most of it has its husk still attached to the seed.

I tried rubbing it between my hands a little bit. It doesn't seem to have much effect.

Does anyone know what to do in such a situation?

From what I read, it seems I could soak it, but the problem is that I would then have to dry it before I could grind it, I guess.

Thanks in advance for the help!

I just remembered another way to dehull grains. Burn them!

https://permies.com/t/138969/Hulling-processing-homestead-bread-grains#1146670

Thanks a lot for the reply, and very sorry for my late answer.

I followed your link, and if I understand correctly, that could work, but would partly roast the grain, thus would make it suitable only for specific uses, right?

Apart from that I found videos about people attaching rubber on their mill for this task. I guess I could try that, but if anyone had another method I'd still be interested.

Cheers!

Former wheat farmer here. Varieties differ. Some are just easier and cleaner threshing than others. Environment also has an effect. A droughted crop is usually more difficult to thresh.

Vic, I have this problem when the heads aren't thoroughly dry. When they're dry enough, the grains should release on their own. I suggest letting it sit awhile longer in a dry, airy place.

I recommend growing a different variety of wheat for next year.

If you really want to grow wheat with tightly adhering hulls, you might try more vigorous threshing methods. One time, I dumped wheat kernels onto a 1/2" screen, sitting on a table top. Then used a rubber-soled shoe to thresh. This avoided damaging the kernels, but got aggressive enough to remove the husks.

We're a creative lot! Like Vic I suggest it could be the stalks and grains being not dry enough.

Thanks a lot for the replies guys!

In my case, I think the reason why the hulls are stuck to the seeds is because I harvested too late. I had read somewhere that this can happen.

It seems confirmed because this year I haven't threshed it yet, but it seems to not be the case, although it's the same variety. I harvested much earlier this year.

Joseph, your method with a screen and a shoe is interesting. I am surprised about the size of the screen. 1/2" isn't so wide that the seeds just fall through?

Yes, the seeds fall right through my screen, but the screen holds the seeds in place, so that the shoe can abrade the hull.

I really like planting grains in rows, just wide enough apart that I can weed them easily with my wheel hoe. For self-seeding rye, I run a cultivator through the field to make rows 30" apart and about 4" wide.

I am replying very late, but thanks a lot for your answer.

I haven't tried your technique yet, but my partner, who comes from South-East Asia, told me that over there they have this problem with rice, whose husk always sticks to the kernel.

The way they used to go about it until machines arrived recently, is to place it in a kind of mortar made of wood, and pound it with a wood piece. That way the husk is removed but most of the seeds are not broken.

I might try that too.

I'll let you guys know.

Thanks a lot again for the help!