tumbling compost bin

icecreamdogpark

Tumbling compost bin has anyone got one and do you get good results ?Had to get rid of my usual one, rats get in, hard to turn matter and hard to empty !

Ken68

Couldn't get on with mine, Ice Cream. Went lumpy and hard to tumble. like tumbling a soft rock.
Never had trouble with rats despite an open compost heap. No meat, no gravy,. just veg trimmings and grass

Larumbelle

I have to admit my tumbler was homemade, so it may have been down to my incompetence in designing it, but I didn't find the tumbling helped or sped up the composting process at all. I've gone back to the normal ones we made out of old pallets. The dalek one is out of action as it's the bumblebees favourite nesting spot!

I have never had a rat problem either, but I avoid putting any cooked food or eggshells in, I bokashi them first then add them. I believe it is usually the presence of meat and cooked foods that attracts the rats.

icecreamdogpark

No meat or fish or sim went in it but it`s next to the shed where i think they nested once they do hang around although not often seen,esp since the dog caught one:( !! they fed from under the bird feeder:mad:

Lotus-eater

I've heard alot of good things about tumbling compost makers.

Most of it from the manufacturers

On the other hand, I've heard alot of talk from both professionals and amateur gardeners, about how they can work, but only if you religiously follow the instructions of loading and turning. Most of the time people say they are a waste of time (and money if bought)
I remember a particularly memorable conversation with a tree surgeon who was like me into GYO and also heavily into composting. He had tried most things over the years and was quite vehement regarding the waste of space he had with two tumbling bins.

There is plenty of forum talking about it on the net if you look.

Re the rats, if you put close wire mesh under the bin, it will keep them out. Rats are attracted to the dryness and warmth of the bin, food isn't always the reason they will chose to go in one, but it will help.

Tbh, one of the worst advice councils give out, is that if you don't compost bread and cooked material, then you won't get rats, because you well might and then new composters get all upset if they do get rats. Which is a bit self defeating because they then vow to never compost again.

Nor do you have to turn bins, just fill and leave for at least a year. To empty a dalek, just lift the whole thing off, no need to try and use the silly little door at the front.
To be sure the compost will be made quicker and better by turning, but what you put in it is much more important.
Sorry to waffle on

lostinrates

Lotus-eater wrote: »

...
Nor do you have to turn bins, just fill and leave for at least a year. To empty a dalek, just lift the whole thing off, no need to try and use the silly little door at the front.
To be sure the compost will be made quicker and better by turning, but what you put in it is much more important.
Sorry to waffle on

Thank you Lotus eater, I was really considering getting one of these tumbling ones...I think we'll make do with a pallet construction if you think that's good enough. I have always struggled with daleks. Our home made compost has never been that good, one of my things to get to grips with in the next few years is correctly managing compost.:o

Filey

I am trying the plastic bag method!

Using an empty plastic compost bag (the 75 L ones) I three quarters fill it with weeds,peelings etc, seal it with tape. pierce holes all over it with a garden fork to let air in and leave it to get on with it. Now and then I up end it and shake it a bit to move the stuff about, then it goes back in the corner with the others. I have not been doing this long enough to be able to post result but will report back in a year's time.