Bokashi experiences - what's yours?

a11waysindebt

After looking on the net I found a simple way of making a cheap bin.

I used one bucket from chicken manure pellets I bought for the garden and drilled holes in the bottom.This slipped into another spare bucket I had hanging around so any fluid goes into the bottom one,to drain you simply lift the top bucket.

A bit of recycling aswell as reducing the impact of waste.

I will let you know if it works or not in a couple of weeks.

SEE

Chrispy1 wrote: »

We've been using a Bokashi for about 2 years and just found the bran had gone mouldy for the first time after keeping it in a shed. It must have been damp there and the bran was unusable so it's gone on the compost heap. Therefore for long shelf life make sure the bran is kept dry.
ALSO... when we first had our bins they both leaked onto the kitchen floor from where the taps fitted. The pong was horrible. This was fixed by sealing the screw-in taps with silicone sealer. Has anyone else had this problem?

What's the difference between these two? I use the stuff at the link provided and get beautiful compost
http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=200437&pf_id=LS2781D

a11waysindebt

SEE wrote: »

What's the difference between these two? I use the stuff at the link provided and get beautiful compost
http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=200437&pf_id=LS2781D

So do you use this active compost instead off the bran in the bokashi bucket.

kpdubbya

Hi,

Being a user of Bokashi bins for the last four years, I had the same issue with my first purchase. There are a few things worth checking before using a new bin:

Check that the hole the tap goes into doesn't have any 'swarf' type rough edging left over from the production process which punches the hole in the bin for the tap to go into. This can stop the tap from seating correctly.

Check that the tap does actually come with two rubber seals (this was my original leaky problem - how would you know you need two seals if there's only one supplied!).

Make sure you put one seal on the inside and one on the outside of the tap assembly.

Check that you haven't threaded the nylon nut otherwise you'll never get a good seal.

If you only get one rubber seal with the tap assembly, go back to your supplier and ask for one.

For those looking for cheap Bokashi composters (not the cheap buckets with a tap put in the bottom) try eco-worrier.net. They sell one bin for £26.99, and the rotation kit (two bins) for £43.95 at the moment. Oh, and this includes the bran, scoop and free UK delivery.

Hope this helps someone.

kate83

I've just got some bokashi bins and love them. I had second thoughts after reading some of the comments on here but after reading nothing but praise on another site I thought I'd give them a try.
Been using them for just over a month and so far they are smelling sweet - a bit like pickled onions, nothing like sick as some others have said. Got a fair bit of liquid off to use as plant food and my kitchen bin is no longer smelly - they're great if you have a toddler who throws most of their food on the floor - that used to go in the bin but now can go in my bokashi and be useful

inicholson

Tesco direct currently have 2 Bokashi bins and bran for £21. Using code TD-KLYY will take another £5 off - so £16

They charge £5 delivery but if you add another £4 of stuff to the order you can get them delivered to a store for free.

The_Ubiquitous_Mrs_Smith

Inicholson - I don't know whether to thank you or shout at you! I absolutely refuse to shop at Tescos (I've not stepped foot in one for over 7 years) but this is such a bargain that I now have a big decision to make - swallow my ethics for a bargain or keep saving for a bokashi and hope somewhere else does a similar sort of deal! Arggh!:mad:

I've bought it. I'll have to wear a disguise when I pick it up. I feel dirty!

Megansmum

inic - could you put a link on to the tesco direct bokashi page please? Ican't find it !!

The_Ubiquitous_Mrs_Smith

http://direct.tesco.com/q/N.1998285.aspx
There are two types, one with one bucket and one with two.

Shudder!

The_Ubiquitous_Mrs_Smith

I picked mine up today (and I didn't turn into dust when I walked through the doors to Tesco's - phew!) and these are my first impressions:

They come in a stupidly large box. I was on foot and found it easier to take them out of the box and carry them as buckets.
They're Blackwall bins and not some cheapo rip offs so that's a good start.
The bran smells like chicken feed. And it would seem a very small amount to last two months? It comes in a sort of potato bag so you'll need something to keep it in which is airtight (the other bucket if you've got room maybe?)
The bins are HUUUUUGE (and ugly)! It'll take us about three months to fill them I think and they'll hardly look beautiful in our kitchen! Did consider buying just one bin but as they need to stand before emptying it seemed a bit daft.
You have to put the taps on yourself. There are two rubber washers. Make sure you put one either side of the hole to minimise leaks. I've had mine stood with water in to check for leaks and they seem fine.
The instructions aren't great but there are plenty of tips on the web if you google.
Bokahi bran from Blackwall is £4 for 600g (apparently 2 months supply) or £10 for 3x600g but you'll probably be able to get it cheaper if you search.
Lid fits well and is easy to get on and off.

Impressed so far will let you know how I get on!