So I let my cobs sit outside for a few hours yesterday and this morning. Also cleaned the stems with vinegar, as well as the shanks (they weren't all that dirty at all).
That helped a bit, but I'm still getting that taste like I'm inhaling smoke from burning wood - it even irritates my throat. Not getting that from my briars.
I'm gonna put them in the sun again tomorrow, hopefully that will improve things a bit more. But at this point, I can't help but wonder if my cobs are ruined.