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Posted: Jun/30/2008 6:58 AM PST
I finally broke down (pardon the expression) and bought a real composter. I knew I had to do it. My homemade barrel composter was simply not doing the job. It was a worthwhile experiment, and I learned a lot from it. Primary lesson: when a 50 gallon drum is more than half full of organic waste, it is extremely difficult to turn. Second lesson: it's hard to regulate air flow without vents. Third lesson: composting without heat is as easy as breathing without air. Over the weekend I cleaned out the inside of my homemade compost barrel. It was not a pretty sight. Last night I ordered the new, expensive "compostumbler". Will keep you posted. Attachments:   |
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Posted: Jul/03/2008 9:14 PM PST
Do let us know how you like it. |
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Posted: Jul/04/2008 2:40 AM PST
Oh, I would love one of those. Do let us know how well it works. |
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Posted: Jul/04/2008 3:35 PM PST
Amazing! The vendor said "allow two to three weeks for delivery." I got an email yesterday said it was already shipped, I checked the tracking and it's scheduled for delivery on Monday! YEEHAW! Now I have to hurry and prepare for it. I cut the top off the old compost barrel so I could use it as a temporary holding container. I'm glad it won't have to hold for long -- that could get messy! I decided to dig a hole underneath where I intend to put the new one, so I can get my wheelbarrow in there. You can see in the photo the wheelbarrow is down below the level of the cinder blocks on the right, so that's going to work. I think I will use concrete to stabilize that pile of blocks. There will be three more such pedestals to hold the whole contraption off the ground. I figure the frame will last a lot longer that way. Plus I didn't have to dig as deep to make the wheelbarrow fit underneath. Attachments:  |
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Posted: Jul/05/2008 5:12 AM PST
I'm so excited for you! |
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Posted: Jul/06/2008 4:04 PM PST
Steve, that is one fancy tumbler. It should turn a batch every 3 to 4 weeks. And the tea is one thing your EE's will love. I know that I don't have to tell you any thing about composting, except that I know you will like that tumbler. The people that has posted with negative results is the ones that either kept it too wet or too dry and didn't pay attention to the heat inside. It will tell you what it needs. Happy for you and Happy composting. John |
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Posted: Jul/07/2008 12:35 PM PST
As promised, my new composter was delivered today. I wasted no time in getting it assembled and placed on the stand I built for it over the weekend. A couple of immediate impressions. First, relating to the numerous complaints I read about missing parts, I found that mine actually came with extra parts. There were about three extra small screws, a couple of extra nuts (including specialty items like a nylon lock nut and a cap nut), and lots of extra lockwashers. Second, the assembly instructions are very well written in plain English. As an experienced assembler, I would rate this as an intermediate skill assembly. The only tools required are two crescent wrenches, a flat screwdriver, and a Philips screwdriver. It took me an hour and a half. My only initial negative impression is that the drum seems a bit flimsy. It's certainly lightweight! I had no trouble at all handling it, fully assembled. But I think it would still have been light enough had the drum been made of one gauge heavier metal. Photos to follow. |
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Posted: Jul/07/2008 12:53 PM PST
My completed stand with the pit underneath for the wheelbarrow. It's a tight squeeze, as the barrow is 30 inches wide and the frame of the composter is 32 inches wide. But I managed to get it right. Attachments:   |
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Posted: Jul/07/2008 12:54 PM PST
I tied the frame down to the cinder blocks with hose clamps for two reasons. One, to give some extra sturdiness to the stand and two, to prevent the frame from slipping off! You can see how close to the edge it is. Attachments:  |
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Posted: Jul/07/2008 12:54 PM PST
Once it was up on the stand, I started filling it. First, I shoveled in the kitchen scraps I've been storing up for the past few days, along with some soil. Attachments:  |
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