Rotating compost bins (forum)

Pauline starts with ...
Hello. Has anyone used one of the rotating compost bins? They look pretty good for someone who doesn't have a huge amount of green waste, but they are pretty pricey. Any feedback?
Thanks. :-)

Time: 24th July 2011 10:38pm

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About the Author Pauline
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Chris says...
Best investment in my garden I ever made. Mine is solidly made and should last me 25 years easily.
However, I'm not sure what model you are looking at, as the better models actually require quite a large amount of materials, else there is not enough volume to heat up properly.
They don't work that well if you continually add fresh components to them, as the process becomes very stop start and the heap prematurely cools. Its geared to making compost in batches.
Finally, if you decide to get one, don't skimp on a crankshaft to turn it. Many a bad back as a result of saving a few dollars.



Time: 24th July 2011 11:52pm

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Original Post was last edited: 24th July 2011 11:53pm

About the Author Chris
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Pauline says...
The only ones I have been able to find are the type they have at bunnings. I think tumbleweed?? They are a couple of hundred bucks for I think 220l.
My garden waste does tend to be in batches (lawn mowing etc) so should be good. I would probably add worm castings to mix in too as I find they are a bit sloppy sometimes. :-)
Here in sa we get 50% back on compost bins, so just trying to work out if the only one I can find would be money well spent.

Time: 24th July 2011 11:57pm

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Itdepends says...
Lawn clippings don't do well on their own- either dry out or get wet and smelly.

Time: 25th July 2011 11:33pm

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Pauline says...
Ohhhhh yes. I have managed to get a good mix previously, and am a bit obsessive about making sure I have the right mix. Lol. I am impatient too which is why this one looks good as it let's me fiddle and get compost quicker. Lol.

Time: 25th July 2011 11:46pm

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Garry says...
I have a rotating compost bin and have it working away all the time. Mine is the Tumbleweed sort, which is not as good as the ones that rotate around the long axis. If you can afford it get one of the better ones, but a Tumbleweed will work fine. Just remember that its a lot slower than the instructions make out. Also remember that the moisture content is critical. Too wet and it won't work at all, too dry and it works very slowly.

Time: 20th September 2011 5:23pm

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About the Author Garry4
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Pauline says...
Thanks very much. I ended up getting a tumbleweed one. I couldn't find the other type anywhere (until two weeks after buying mine!)

My first lot of compost took seven weeks and is great. I started my second lot this weekend and it is happily steaming away as I type. :-)


Time: 20th September 2011 6:38pm

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Xiem says...
Yes I think the rotating bins are a bit of a gimmick and I wouldn't buy one. Furthermore I am not sure that any type of bin beats trench composting. Its the contact with the earth that I think is important and all the natural microbic interactions that this brings about.

Time: 11th July 2012 11:20am

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Julie says...
If you have worms in your compost pile, it is either finished, or didn't heat up in the first place.

I have never used a rotating bin, but I guess it is supposed to mimic the turning process, which adds air and helps speed up the process. The pile heats up again after turning.

Can't do it anymore due to back problems, but I used to make a LOT of compost.

Time: 11th July 2012 8:41pm

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About the Author Julie
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snottiegobble says...
I dont think you can beat a decent sized worm farm because you get wonderful worm juice ahead of your compost & by the time the worms have finished it is a dark nutritious loam. Obviously the 3 tiered plastic worm farms only hint at what a real worm farm can do & although I converted a fridge, many people have been really successful converting old baths!
Something I have learned though is never ever put red capsicum centres, chilli seeds, tomatoes, egg plants, pumpkins, melons & papaya seeds in your compost if you plan on growing anything else!

Time: 11th July 2012 11:27pm

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About the Author snottiegobble
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Pauline says...
Wow, this post was a fair while back. Anyway, I loved my rotating compost bin so much I bought a second (I also have a worm farm).

Worms are not supposed to live in a correctly working compost bin of any type as this means that it is not hot composting. If it is not hot composting then seeds etc are not killed off. Have a google. Properly working compost bins can actually set light!
I have had stationary compost bins before, and always found it very hard to turn the pile. They are fine if you just want to leave them to be giant worm farms, but then they don't kill off seeds.

I am lucky though in that I can get large amounts of green waste all in one go, or they might not work as well (just like any compost bin). I have the tumbleweed one and another squatter one (made in isreal!). That one was less than half the price of the tumbleweed one and much better in my opinion.

So all in all, if you have the green waste amounts to hot compost then they are great. The shorter, rounder ones easier to turn. Compost made far quicker than any compost bin I have ever had before. My next compost bin will be another rotating one. :-)

Time: 14th July 2012 3:10pm

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About the Author Pauline
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Localau says...
I paid $370 for the Easy composter; it is Australian made and will easily last 15 years or more. It

Time: 19th October 2012 2:33pm

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About the Author Localau
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Pauline says...
That is pretty pricey. You can get them from about $90. I don't really like the design of that one, although I'm sure it might be easier to turn for less able people.
Funnily enough I have never seen that one in any nurseries (and I spend a lot of time in nurseries all over SA). Would be good to actually see one set up.

Time: 19th October 2012 8:10pm

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About the Author Pauline
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john8169 says...
I purchased a tumbleweed rotating compost bin due to rodents getting into my kitchen waste in the other traditional compost bins I have. Have had for 2 months now and no more rats, perfect for this and the compost in it looks great, I just keep adding to it. No worms can survive, gets way too hot.

Time: 19th October 2012 10:56pm

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About the Author john8169
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Pauline says...
Is this your site you are advertising?

Time: 11th May 2013 6:45pm

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About the Author Pauline
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peter 1000 says...
Pauline, from Adelaide
are you still watching this
forum/working in a nursery?

Time: 16th June 2013 10:14pm

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Original Post was last edited: 17th June 2013 9:08am
About the Author peter 1000
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Easy Composter says...
Hi We manufacture a rotating style compost bin. We are one of only a few left manufacturing in Australia. They are very user friendly and you can keep your back nice and straight and you don't get all the nasties that you do with the ones on the ground. But they of course are both good just different.

Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 28th June 2013 3:37pm

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Kimbo says...
John8169 - You say you keep adding to your compost? I want to start composting but haven't as it will be pointless if I can only chuck things in every few weeks. Can you explain to me how it goes when you keep adding?

Time: 27th November 2013 1:52pm

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About the Author Kimbo
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CathieC says...
@Pauline. I'm pretty sure getting too much heat in your compost kills off a lot of beneficial bacteria & nutrients too though. At least that is what the organic farmers I have worked for have told me over the years.

Time: 30th July 2015 12:07am

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About the Author CathieC
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DirectCompost says...
Can you explain more about Rotating compost bins.I have only used plastic compost bins.I will be very thankful.

Time: 8th February 2016 6:58pm

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About the Author Direct Compost
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