I fill a 5l caddy of greens every 5 days or so. I would then add half that amount (2.5l caddy) of browns with two hand fulls of bark. The bark creates air pockets which help with the decomposing by providing a good air flow throughout the bin.
I am interested in buying a HotBin. I understand the makers say you can put dog waste and meat in it safely. I have read some reviews that say it doesn't heat up much in the winter. I'm wondering if it works best placed in full sun. Great composting seems to me an art - like great cooking, essentially. It's tricky to assess online reviews, as, if the reviewer has no idea how composting works, and just whacks any old thing into the bin, it seems unlikely to be very successful. It costs quite a lot for a polystyrene box.
Firefly0 - my composter is in the shade and I haven't put cooked food in it.
I hoard cardboard which I cut up and put in damp along with shredded paper and the usual composting material from the house and garden. I have had it for nine months but haven't used any of the compost yet. It looks like good stuff.
I am putting in all the right stuff, but I never put meat waste in there. I was led to believe that it can spread diseases like Foot n' mouth BSE etc.. I may be wrong but feel its best to be safe than sorry..
I have just bought one after looking at masses of videos and reviews. Fingers crossed. I'm very excited to try. It's a lot heavier than I thought it would be.
I have noticed that in a builders bag full of stuff, covered over, the middle cooks better than the edges. I was wondering if sheets of expanded polystyrene, like those wrapped round washers, fridges etc, would keep the heat in better and produce faster results. I have looked at the hotbins, but compared to builders bags I get for free, they are a nonstarter.
FB, I am trying that too. I have accrued loads of insulation materials including wool fleece, old insulation board, polystyrene and bubble wrap. I am wrapping my three (plastic darlek-type) bins in thick jackets and hats and see if I can't get the temp up. The Hotbin has a chimney system inside, apparently that helps air circulate in a certain way, and things.
I have a small amount of space and don't want to buy any more compost. It will be fascinating to see how it all works out.
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Thanks for all the info and advice. I now know that I will have enough brown waste.
I fill a 5l caddy of greens every 5 days or so. I would then add half that amount (2.5l caddy) of browns with two hand fulls of bark. The bark creates air pockets which help with the decomposing by providing a good air flow throughout the bin.
Hi,
I am interested in buying a HotBin. I understand the makers say you can put dog waste and meat in it safely. I have read some reviews that say it doesn't heat up much in the winter. I'm wondering if it works best placed in full sun. Great composting seems to me an art - like great cooking, essentially. It's tricky to assess online reviews, as, if the reviewer has no idea how composting works, and just whacks any old thing into the bin, it seems unlikely to be very successful. It costs quite a lot for a polystyrene box.
Any thoughts are welcome.
Cheers
Firefly0 - my composter is in the shade and I haven't put cooked food in it.
I hoard cardboard which I cut up and put in damp along with shredded paper and the usual composting material from the house and garden. I have had it for nine months but haven't used any of the compost yet. It looks like good stuff.
Thanks
I am putting in all the right stuff, but I never put meat waste in there. I was led to believe that it can spread diseases like Foot n' mouth BSE etc.. I may be wrong but feel its best to be safe than sorry..
Last edited: 21 February 2018 00:35:17
I have a small amount of space and don't want to buy any more compost. It will be fascinating to see how it all works out.