Getting starch from corn: any methods apart from boiling?

[Boozehound]

I've been reading Ian Smiley's book today about pure corn whiskey and as I can get cracked (but not flaked) corn cheap and easy the methods interest me. At the moment, though, I'm rather poor and can't afford a 30+L stock pot to do the pre-malting and boiling of the corn. I do have a few large plastic wine fermenters which are fine with hot water but I obviously can't put them on hotplates. I've spent hours reading posts on this site now and have a couple of questions:

1.) Did anyone ever get anywhere using popped corn? I.E. could popped corn be added to hot but not boiling water and the starch extracted that way?

2.) I read flaked corn is steamed. I do have a large steamer. Could I steam the stuff first and then add to the hot water to get the starch out?

3.) Anyone else got any ideas?

As always, I massively appreciate the help of you guys. The support of the community really adds to the pleasure of this great hobby.

Cheers.