How to Clean Bird Seed

Feeding birds is gratifying, but the more of them you feed the more it costs. Growing your own birdseed is an economical way to keep feeding the birds without draining your wallet. After you harvest the birdseed you'll want to clean the detritus and loose hulls from the seeds. If you have a vacuum out in your shop and some PVC pipe you can easily clean your birdseed.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 inch diameter, 12-inch length PVC pipe
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Hacksaw
  • Funnel
  • 3-inch diameter PVC threaded cap
  • Safety goggles
  • Spade drill bits
  • Electric drill
  • 3-inch diameter PVC 45 degree tee
  • 3 inch diameter PVC slip-thread coupling
  • Hammer
  • Vacuum
  • Pail
  • Birdseed
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Instructions

  1. Build a Quick Birdseed Cleaner

    • 1

      Take a 12-inch length of unthreaded PVC pipe and mark off 5 inches. Cut with a hacksaw, then measure a 3-inch length on the larger section and cut it off.

    • 2

      Take the plastic funnel and saw off the spout (the narrow portion). You want the remaining spout to have a diameter of 1 1/2 inches.

    • 3

      Measure the diameter of the end of the vacuum hose. Choose a spade drill bit the same size and secure it in the electric drill. Place the 3-inch threaded PVC cap on a solid surface. Position the tip of the drill bit at the center of the top of the cap and drill a hole through it. The end of the hose must be able to be inserted into the hole.

    • 4

      Insert the 5-inch length of pipe into the bottom of the vertical section of the 45 degree tee. Insert the 3-inch length of pipe into the top of the vertical section of the 45 degree vertical tee.

    • 5

      Insert the unthreaded end of the slip-threaded PVC coupling into the top of the 3 inch length of pipe.

    • 6

      Screw the 3-inch threaded cap with the hole into the top of the threaded end of the slip-threaded PVC coupling.

    • 7

      Use a hammer to tap all the PVC sections together tightly. The finished length from top of drilled cap to the bottom of the 5 inch section of PVC pipe should be around 18 inches.

    • 8

      Place the funnel into the angled section of the 45 degree tee.

    • 9

      Insert the vacuum hose into the drilled hole and place a clean pail under the bottom of the 5-inch section of PVC pipe.

    • 10

      Turn on the vacuum cleaner and slowly pour the birdseed into the funnel. The suction of the vacuum will draw the dirt and hulls into the vacuum cleaner while the birdseed drops down into the pail.