I acquired a rotol via a mate of my brothers. He wanted rid, it had to come in the back of my brothers van. Everything shrinks away from the wall, so to add top ups it has to be stirred and dropped down the gap.
Yes, they're wider at the base than a standard bin aren't they? At least this fifty year old one is. I get the impression its shape was designed to maximise heat production. It's much more effective than the standard dalek type bin but the larger footprint could have put people off perhaps, in smaller gardens. It never ceased to amaze me how all the material that went into the Rotol over three days would then fit into a small plastic bin in the space of a week.
I'm quite happy with the compost I get from my two Dalek bins (not using the third at the moment). I try to layer stuff which doesn't seem to need any extra water and there are lots of worms especially since I insulated them with old fleece/bubblewrap which does make a difference. I use old bathmats to cover the tops - looks disgusting but works. I just add the layers as and when available but never put weeds in. I reckon I get usable compost every 6 months or so which is fine for me. I have a large garden of about a third of an acre so it's never enough. The beds are mulched on a rough rotation system.
I've just ordered two 330L Blackwall Dalek bins on a special offer through my local council (Cheshire East) at a considerable saving over the normal price.
As I've recently set up some large bays, these daleks won't initially be used for actual composting - I just needed somewhere to store all my made compost in such a way that it's protected from the weather and can easily be withdrawn from the bottom, so I use the oldest first.
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
This is the second time i've posted this, the evil streak which runs through here flagged it and had it taken down. It's not a problem any longer, I just copy it and post it up again. These people are stupid to think otherwise.
A few months ago I started a thread which showed how life was up here, it outlined why we have to make 'growing medium' from what we have to grow veg (because the soil is so poor), how we grow things, make compost, the wildlife, where our water & fuel comes from etc, things which normal people take for granted or would never realise. It was set upon by the usual forum bullies (still present in this thread) so was taken down despite the PMs of those who enjoyed it. I post up elsewhere to an appreciative audience so it's at your loss.
Please don't let them grind you down, keep posting up your positive experiences of composting, your ideas and the different ways you do it. It makes for great reading.
Your posts are only removed if you are abusive to fellow posters, which sadly is fairly frequent. I think everyone agrees that composting is wonderful.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Posts
It never ceased to amaze me how all the material that went into the Rotol over three days would then fit into a small plastic bin in the space of a week.
I have a large garden of about a third of an acre so it's never enough. The beds are mulched on a rough rotation system.
As I've recently set up some large bays, these daleks won't initially be used for actual composting - I just needed somewhere to store all my made compost in such a way that it's protected from the weather and can easily be withdrawn from the bottom, so I use the oldest first.
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
A few months ago I started a thread which showed how life was up here, it outlined why we have to make 'growing medium' from what we have to grow veg (because the soil is so poor), how we grow things, make compost, the wildlife, where our water & fuel comes from etc, things which normal people take for granted or would never realise.
It was set upon by the usual forum bullies (still present in this thread) so was taken down despite the PMs of those who enjoyed it.
I post up elsewhere to an appreciative audience so it's at your loss.
Please don't let them grind you down, keep posting up your positive experiences of composting, your ideas and the different ways you do it. It makes for great reading.
Carry on composting
I think everyone agrees that composting is wonderful.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I am sure we could show you some.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Be the bigger man @MikeOxgreen and leave it?