Compost help please!

moments_of_sanity

Montmorencymon wrote: »

I suspect the Hotbin is too expensive really. It's probably ok for those with money and not enough time to make their own wooden composter (or who don't have the skills or materials).

Where it seems to come into its own is in cold winters. People have apparently reported high-temperatures even with snow around, which is obviously more difficult with an open heap or wooden bin.

I think the secret the inventor has cracked is combining good insulation with good aeration. The good insulation allows it to build up heat without needing to be too massive, and aeration seems to be essential for any hot-composting method.

I currently have 2 "daleks" and 1 old oil-drum/brazier that we "inherited" which has become an unofficial compost overspill bin.

I'm going to experiment with various ways of trying to aerate them as well as I can, short of actually turning them. I already use cardboard tubes as much as possible, and from time to time I poke holes through the compost with a long stick. I'm going to be trying all this a bit more systematically.


I also plan to build a wooden bin from pallets, but I've been a bit slow in getting a round tuit.

I have a Hotbin and find I can get a couple of 50l bags of compost every couple of months. They do have 'trial' one's or returns that are a lot cheaper than the brand new one's. I had my name put on the waiting list and it only took a couple of weeks.

DD and I emptied it earlier this week as I wanted the compost from the bottom and it is absolutely beautiful compost. I never had any luck with the Daleks, I ended up with an anaerobic mess! :eek: