Composter

[southlondonone]

I have inherited a composter from my previous plot holder. The only issue is I have no idea how it works! Sounds stupid but it is four sides of metal, how do you get the compost out?!

So all four sides are bolted together. When I took it over it was quarter full but was growing more in it than composting. Because there is some bind weed in it as well now I think it is currently more a "bin" for me to clear my site with. Once complete I think I will remove it all from the bin and dispose of it via my council garden bin.

But is it actually then worth using as a composter, does it "work"?! If not I think it can make a better storage unit when cleared out.

[roitelet]

You will have to jump in and dig to empty it. Compost bins like that should have the front removable for emptying. How long is it? It looks big enough to modify and create two bins with removable fronts.

[Cadalot]

Looks like something knocked up with angle iron and metal sheeting, I think its dig out or try and lift off.

[Bigmallly]

I'd be tempted to bend that long front panel up from the bottom at say 90 degrees so that you can access the rotted compost which will be at the bottom anyway.................Just a thought outside the box.........

[southlondonone]

How long is it? It looks big enough to modify and create two bins with removable fronts.

Sounds good, but not sure how you would access it still, been thinking about leaving a gap at front bottom so it sort of falls out but not sure that'll work.

I'd say it's about 200cm maybe 250 long.

[southlondonone]

I'd be tempted to bend that long front panel up from the bottom at say 90 degrees so that you can access the rotted compost which will be at the bottom anyway.................Just a thought outside the box.........

Like the idea, kind of what I was thinking although I thought of removing a bit of the front panel at the bottom to get access. Guess other option is no front panel? Or a very short one?

[ESBkevin]

Thinking about how good compost is made, what about getting a smaller compost bin and using this big thing to collect the various 'ingredients' ready to mix and compost. That way tree clippings, grass cuttings, newspapers, cardboard, autumn leaves, weeds etc. could be mixed in the desired proportions as you go to ensure a steady supply of good compost. I wouldn'y write off what's in there just now either, if you have the time to sift through it might be good as a soil conditioner for the beds at at least a top mulch.

[roitelet]

Sounds good, but not sure how you would access it still, been thinking about leaving a gap at front bottom so it sort of falls out but not sure that'll work.

I'd say it's about 200cm maybe 250 long.

You make the front of the box removable so you can dig it out with out getting in to it. Therefore you have three sides fixed and the front comes off. I use two long ropes tied right round the box with a wooden tourniquet to keep them tight to keep the front on while I fill it.

The size it is would easily be divided in two or even three. Fill one and while it rots fill the next one. If you have three you have the opportunity to turn no 1 into 2 and then into 3 which would then make better compost quicker.

[southlondonone]

What sort of sizes should a composter be? Just so I can work out the cuts etc

[Dalrimple]

there's only 4 tet srews hold the front panel on ! you can easily knock these off by hitting them side ways with a hamer or use a cold chisel to break them and then you can get to the compost that's at the botom,
then if you want to use the same set up you replace the front sheet and hold it in position with 2 stakes in front knocked into the ground. hope this helps Dal

[southlondonone]

Cheers Dal. Filled it right to the top yesterday and now stuck as nowhere to clear my last four beds to so think I'll need to start using my garden waste bin. Think I'm going to go for the two bin strategy. Will update this when I make changes to the composter.

[Bigmallly]

Climb in the bin & trample it down.

[ESBkevin]

A minimum of 3ft side to side on a compost bin ensures the heat generated will be enough to kill seeds, weeds and pathageons. Smaller works but less efficiently. Turning adds oxygen for the microbic life so speeding decay. The right mix of greens and browns produces faster better compost. In the summer it is possible to make your own compost in 12-16 weeks.

[DWSmith]

Looks like the front is removable by taking out the 4 screws. Not a great design but may have some stuff near the bottom you can use. Or fork it out, put the front back on the bin, and put the contents back in to decompose some more.

May not be great but may be somewhat useful.