Best Organic Compost Tumblers or Rotating Bin & Barrel ...

Tumbling composters make it easy to mix and aerate compost. No pitchforks or aching backs. Composting time is reduced from months, to 4 or 6 weeks. At least that's what the advertisements say. We look at the practical realities of choosing and using one at home.

Most look like barrels or large disks. A few are spherical. Prices range from $150 to $500. Warranties are typically from one to five years. Brands include Urban, Back Porch, Tumbleweed, Lifetime, Kemp, Ezyroll, RotoComposter and Envirocycle.

Some of the information in this article is based on information from consumer reviews of compost tumblers on the Amazon.com website.

Introduction to Tumbling Composter Basics

A compost tumbler is rotated to mix up and aerate (ventilate) the compost inside, to allow aerobic (air-breathing) bacteria to work. They're a bit like laundry tumble dryers, or European-style front-loading washing machines. Air vents are drilled into the bin for ventilation, with some composters having aeration pipes to ventilate deep inside the bin. Aeration pipes also help to break up clumps of compost during rotation, but block the way and make it more difficult to dig out the finished compost.

Insufficient ventilation slows down the composting process. In extreme cases of bad ventilation, especially when combined with too much moisture, anaerobic bacteria take over from the aerobic bacteria. This creates a stinking sludge, instead of compost.

A door allows material to be added and removed. Flimsy doors or latches are a common complaint. They should be checked for sturdy construction, before purchase. Complaints of broken hinges and latches on doors, are common. Sliding doors are usually stronger, but jam more easily. Twist caps can also jam, and are more easily affected by warping of the plastic bin by the weight of the compost, which changes the shape of the door.

A large door makes it easier to remove compost, but is also more difficult to secure against pests. Duct tape can be used to seal doors and replace broken latches.


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