Bokashi experiences - what's yours?

In_Search_Of_Me

I've had two buckets for about 6 months in a flat & them empty the contents in the composter at my allotment. The smell in the flat is fine although I dont put meat in...the only issue I have is the smell when you initally empty it because it felly does smell of sick! My mum thankfully has a strog stomach & is happy to do it! Not sure if I could regularly otherwise!

lorien

nat******r wrote: »

I have been using the Bokashi, and have perservered as I believe in the ethos. I am now giving up with Bokashi as it is not pleasant.
I have found that the tie to break the food waste down is much longer than advertised, everything is still easily recognisable after 6 weeks. I have to empty out bin one before it has broken down because bin 2 is full, and it stinks!

Bokashi, great in theory, rubbish in practice. Not for the weak stomached!

The food only ferments rather than breaks down in the bin. After two weeks you put it into the compost heap and yes things are still recognisable. Only put it into the heap if it has white mould growing on it, green mould means that its gone wrong and I'm afraid it has to go in the bin, although someone told me that it can be rescued, but I don't know the detail. After it goes in the compost bin I usually cover mine with some grass cuttings etc and after a few days the whole lot has composted down really well. Make sure you break it up when you put it into the compost bin, I use a hand fork to do that. Theory does work - just need to practice!

roadlesstraveller_2

Thanks to Alanobrien for the comparisons:
Evengreener = £15 inc P&P for 3x 600g refills = £8.33 per kg
Recyclenow = £9 inc P&P for a 3x 300g refills = £10 per kg
Wrigglywigglers = £14.50 inc P&P for a 2kg bag = £7.25 per kg

Evengreener charges no P&P for orders over £75. Others have similar NoP&P deals. I suggest making bulk orders with local friends to get free delivery. My local Green Party has several bokashi users, so I'm going to try and set this up with them.

Joyful

I have finally received my Bokashi bin which I ordered in March! I am also trying to get used to using a Compost bin and I also use a Wormery. The bokashi bin is great for things that cannot go in the wormery but if I am using both of these for food items and vegetable / fruit peelings what should I be putting in the compost bin other than plants?
Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Larumbelle

You need to get a good balance in your compost bin. If you just put plant matter in you will end up with a slimy rotton mess rather than compost! You should aim for about 50% 'green' matter (dead plants etc) and about 50% 'brown' matter - leaves, 'woody' stuff cut small, shredded newspaper etc. You need to maintain moisture and a little topsoil put in every now and then should speed things up.

This is a good beginners guide: http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/gh_comp.php

Joyful

Thank you.

Yonage

I've just ordered some from Blackwall on 0845 130 60 90.
£4.00 a 600g bag, or 3 600g bags for a tenner. Postage free & they say they don't charge your card till they get Proof of Delivery from the courier.
This is the same people who run the Evergreener website...so there's a fiver saved on postage!

The_Ubiquitous_Mrs_Smith

Hello!
Any updates? Our free composter arrived last week which much to my Dad's bemusement I found quite exciting. That should be up and running next week but now I want a Bokashi to use up everything that can't go in the composter. I'm a bit concerned that people don't generally seem to be having a good experience with it. My council aren't doing cheap bokashis and £50/£70 is a lot to pay for a bucket with a lid, especially if it doesn't work that well.
Thanks!

In_Search_Of_Me

Yu could try ebay maybe for a 2nd hand or cheaper one? Think it depends how strong your stomach is!! Definetly composts faster than normal & no worms as you get crrping out of a wormery lol!

scottishlass

Interesting comparison - although I have just found that I don't qualify for the normal wrigglywigglers P&P and have to pay £24 postage no matter how much I buy (over 1kg) which means its not going to be a good option. Does anyone know if the others have delivery restrictions....