Compost Tumblers

Compost Tumblers

By and large, compost tumblers increase the turnover rate of your composting. When using a compost tumbler, you often turn the compost more often and with more ease than if you had a compost pile or bin. In addition, they retain moisture better than other methods, also speeding up the process. Another advantage is that sometimes open compost piles are restricted in certain towns and cities, whereas tumblers are not because they also contain the smell associated with other methods.

However, one must keep the amount of green to brown matter inside a tumbler at about an equal proportion to avoid ending up with a slimy, green mess. Furthermore, while rodents are kept out of the compost tumbler, insects are often drawn to the compost and leave the tumbler when the latch is opened. With proper care, tumblers can produce compost in three to four weeks.

Build A Barrel Compost Tumbler

While different types of stationary barrel tumblers exist, they are often difficult to empty because they are so low to the ground. Likewise, some rolling ball tumblers are awkward to roll around the yard and empty. These problems can be avoided by making a rotating turning barrel, horizontally mounted high enough above the ground. To make one, locate a 55-gallon drum and make sure that it has not been used for holding dangerous materials. Next, make a loading door, which should be hinged on the interior of your compost tumbler. Then drill holes about a half of an inch wide every three inches. If you can, attach fins on the inside to aid in the mixing of materials. Paint an indicator on the outside of your tumbler so that you can leave it the opposite of this after you are finished turning. Also, if you paint the entire tumbler a dark color, it will absorb more heat and aid in the decomposition process. You will also need to drill a hole on both sides of the drum so that you can put an axel through in which to turn the device.

For the stand, bolt some 2x4's together to the height you want the tumbler to be and make horizontal supports to join the legs together, both on the bottom and top of the 2x4's. Next, run your metal pipe through the barrel, and attach it to the ends of the barrel with a larger circumference of round metal, and bolt this larger metal to the barrel. Make sure that your main piece of rotating metal is longer than the distance between your horizontal supports. Place the tumbler on the support and enjoy your compost.

Twin Compost Tumbler

One of the disadvantages of a tumbler is that in order to get a full batch of compost, you must first put a full batch in at the start, and then maybe add in a few scraps after the first addition. Enter the idea of a twin compost tumbler. Though one can be difficult to make, many are available for purchase.