These posh compost bins: Are they all that good?

[Herbsandveg]

I've recently read one or two reports about these new (new to me, at any rate) hotbin type compost bins, and they sound pretty impressive. I'm thinking seriously about buying myself one for Christmas, but am just wondering what other people on here think about them, and whether they're worth the money, or whether I should try something else.

I could quite happily go for a normal or 'standard' composting arrangement, but my neighbour - who I share most of the (very open) back garden area with - is paranoid about us attracting rats or some other equally fierce creatures like....errr....well, rats, so I thought I'd have a pop at using one of these (hotbins, that is)...

Could anyone offer me their two penn'orth, on these?

Many thanks etc...
Graham

[Veggielot]

I think that it can depend a lot on where you are going to do your composting. I don't do it at home as I don't have much room.If I did it at home then I would use a enclosed bin as they are neater compared to my open pallet bins on my plot.

From my understanding hotbins is they work quicker than a convential bin because of the increased heat. This would mean that anything of interest to rats would disappear quicker and you get usable compost quicker.

However I think what you put in your compost has more to do with the likelyhood of attracting rats.

[taff]

I had rats in the compost at the polytunnel but that because it warm and dry. Make it wet and they won't like it. Neither will ants.

[zazen999]

I've had a dormouse once, under the builders sack that I was composting in. But after about 8 years of serious composting, and I build lots of stand alone heaps in schools, community gardens, and at my plot, never had a problem. I keep them wet and that speeds it up and keeps the critters away.

[Bren In Pots]

How about one of those rotary off the ground compost bins, they're a sealed unit maybe the fierce creatures wouldn't be able to get inside so that would make your neighbour would be happy.

Just spotted a thread about them here on the vine :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ter_75406.html

[Two_Sheds]

hotbin type compost bins, ...whether they're worth the money

So you've read all the literature, about how the H0tbin makes compost in weeks instead of months, how the insulated walls heat the bin up really hot...

I met one on our composting stall at the Norfolk Show, and the built-in thermometer was reading 55c.


So was my ordinary, £7 black plastic dalek at home

my neighbour ... is paranoid about us attracting rats

Let me try and reassure you about rats.

I compost meat, fat, bones and skin: I don't have rats. I did once have rats, (in 17 years) which were sitting under my shed eating my sweetcorn which they robbed off the plants. I stuffed the shed cavity with scrunched up chickenwire and the rats moved on: probably back to next door where the chickens were kept.

I usually get mice in one of my (9) daleks over the winter: but watering the heap & turning it swiftly evicts them. We suffer more from mice in our garage than we ever have with the 9 compost heaps.

They don't like eating rotting vegetation, but they like nesting in compost heaps when they are dry and warm. Don't let the heap get dry (but it should be warm).

Rats are all around us already, it's just that you normally don't see them. They love people who throw out bread for the birds ~ bread isn't good for birds, but rats love it, and they'll take grain & nuts too. I don't use loose feed for the birds, I make up suet fat balls and hang them from thin branches (too thin to take a squirrel or rat's weight, if he fancied going that far for a snack).


Brown rat | Wild About Gardens

[Herbsandveg]

Thank you, all!

Many thanks for all your replies on this one. Still not quite sure what exactly I might do, but certainly need to something quick because it drives me potty every time I see veg cuttings going to waste...Just slightly bordering on the idea of a Hotbin, but will report back here when the final decision is made...Have a happy day, all!...

[zazen999]

Many thanks for all your replies on this one. Still not quite sure what exactly I might do, but certainly need to something quick because it drives me potty every time I see veg cuttings going to waste...Just slightly bordering on the idea of a Hotbin, but will report back here when the final decision is made...Have a happy day, all!...

Just make a pile of all your cuttings, in a pile, in the garden and throw some water butt water over it. Turn it once a week. Save your money and buy two pitchforks...which are about 1/5 of the price of a hotbin.

[Skadler888]

simple composting with worm bins and a plastic sheet

Hello,

I have to do a lot of composting in my line of work and for my food garden and did not see the point in getting posh compost bins for this. I use plenty of worm bins, which can be as simple as plastic bags or the more durable option of stackable plastic containers. I wrote several articles that described how to build them at home.

For the traditional aerobic composting I just need a robust plastic sheet to cover my pile. I have to turn it every 3 to 4 days for up to 4 times and the materials are usually be composted in less than 3 weeks.

I wish you all best of success and a rich harvest.

Kind regards

[mikegm]

Hi Graham, I have the money sitting here for a Hot Bin. Presently using two Daleks which are OK, but compost does take a lot longer before it is ready. The Hot Bin however takes only (approx) 90 days due to the high 60deg heat it produces. You can visibly see the steam rising inside (apparently) Have a look at the website (Google search) there is quite a bit of info on setting up/using etc.
Mike

[chris]

My daleks steam, Mike.

Turn them often, keep them moist and get the balance right - and your daleks will do too.

That, with the activator or what not and insulation of the hotbin is why they can claim it'll steam.

[Bill HH]

You could argue that while the rats are in the compost they are not in your (Or your neighbours) house.

i dont put cooked food or anything rats like in my bin, my neighbour has rats under his poultry pen and Ive never had one in my compost yet. I shall view your hot bin experiment with interest but i am unconvinced at the moment. My daleks get hot anyway.