Compost Tumbler Bins - Best Compost Bin Designs
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Wondering Which Compost Tumbler Bin To Choose?
I am featuring a few compost bins that I have researched for my own purchase and will present the pros and cons here for you to decide along with me.
We have had a standard compost backyard bin for several years now and each year I state that there must be an easier and quicker way to turn out the black gold.
Whether you want to use your compost for vegetable gardening, flower gardening, your house plants, or for your landscaping, I'm sure you want to have your compost available just as quickly as I do.
Lifetime 60058 75-Gallon Compost Tumbler, Black
What We Need In A Compost Tumbler Bin
Things To Consider
Image courtesy Kirsty Hall
We live on just over .75 acre of land and are surrounded by trees that LOVE to shed their leaves in the autumn time. What to do with all the mountains of leaves we are blessed with has been an ongoing issue. The stationary composter that we currently have just can't stay up to speed.
Our kitchen waste is about ten pounds a week on average. I consume a LOT of vegetables and in the summertime we will have fruit to add to the mix which will up the composting load considerably as the apples, plumbs, and blackberries ripen on the property.
I plan to put in a vegetable garden this year so that will definitely up the composting load as well.
Another important factor is that we live in the Pacific NW, USA where the summers are short and the winters are long. We don't have a lot of hot days to break down compost quickly.
Some requirements that I feel the ideal compost tumbler bin needs for us to be happy are as follows:
- It needs to be a medium to large capacity tumbler.
- It needs to be of reasonable price.
- It needs to be easy for me to handle and rotate.
- It needs to break down the compostable material as quickly as possible.
- It needs to be weather resistant and durable.
If those requirements are included, then I will be a happy composting camper.
The Lifetime 60058 75-Gallon Compost Tumbler Bin
Lifetime 60058 Compost Tumbler, Black, 80-Gallon
Amazon Price: $148.50 (as of 05/30/2012)
(click on image or link for more views)
I like that the Lifetime 6500 compost tumbler is a large capacity bin. Seventy five gallons is a lot of compost! The height looks like it would be perfect for both loading and unloading. It has a tumbler bar inside to help keep your compost from clumping which I feel is important. It comes in black and I think that is an ideal color for a composter to help draw more heat inside.
What I don't like is that as one customer stated in the reviews section that the hinges are not made out of galvanized steel and his hinges had a tendency to rust. Another customer stated that he had had this model for three years and his hinges hadn't shown any sign of rust. I will have to think about this a bit more as we get lots of rain about 9 months out of the year.
Easy Spin ComposTumbler 37 Gallon Compost Tumbler
A Mid-Size Bin
Easy Spin ComposTumbler 37 Gallon Compost Tumbler
Amazon Price: $149.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
(click on image or link for more views)
Another possible contender in my compost tumbler bins search is the Easy Spin ComposTumbler. I like that this is a mid size compost tumbler at 37 gallon capacity which might be easier for me to handle. The drum is made of heavy-duty polyethylene and is rust resistant. There are interior fins that help break down the clumping matter by rotating and compost is supposed to be complete in about a month. It is also supposed to be easy to rotate and is gear driven which is a definite plus.
One thing I don't like is the color. It is my feeling that a dark color would draw more sun and help things to break down quicker. Hopefully it is insulated enough to allow for this.
How Do You Feel?
Compact ComposTumbler 88 Gallon Capacity
Big Guns With A Turn Handle!
Compact ComposTumbler 12 Cubic Foot Compost Tumbler
Amazon Price: $349.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
(click on image or link for more views)
The Compact ComposTumbler has a large capacity of 88-gallons. Another thing that certainly grabs my attention is that it has a gear driven turn handle that has to make it easier to rotate on a daily basis. I like that it is made of galvanized metal and is rust resistant which is good being in the rainy part of the country we live in. Another plus is its design allows for turning out compost in just two weeks!
If I were to have a qualm about this compost tumbler bin it would be that it doesn't come in a darker color. Apparently it is dark enough so that it still manages to hold in the heat and do a thorough job of turning out the compost in just two weeks.
The Joraform Compost Tumbler JK 125
A Swedish Designed Compost Tumbler
Joraform Compost Tumbler JK 125
Amazon Price: $285.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
(click on image or link for more views)
The Joraform Compost Tumbler JK 125 is designed in Sweden where they have tough recycling regulations. It has dual compartments that allow one chamber to mature while you are adding to the other chamber. The unit can be mounted on a wall which would allow you to place to your preferred height. It is designed to be easily rotated which is a plus for me.
When you have a pattern established between the two bins, you should be able to turn out from 13 to 21 gallons of compost a week! The total capacity is 106 gallons. It is insulated to allow the internal heat to rise above 160 degrees. I like that it is constructed out of galvanized steel that should help it to last longer.
Which Compost Tumbler Bin To Choose?
Soilsaver Classic Composter
This photo is of a stationary compost bin that is similar to the one we have now. It is definitely bursting at the seams and we will have to make a decision soon as to which of the compost tumbler bins to go with.
I have considered indoor Worm Farm Composting and you can read my article about it there. It is another area of composting that I have researched heavily and am seriously considering combining with my outdoor composting efforts.
The ComposTumbler 88 gallon capacity tumbler bin with the turn handle is the one I like most of all I think. Although it is the most expensive of the four, my thinking is that if it can turn out compost every two weeks then it will be worth the investment.
I'm sure we will keep the stationary compost bin as a backup until we get our compost tumbler bin up and going strong. I'll be sure to share with you when we make our final decision and which one we eventually go with!
More Compost Tumbler Bins To Choose From
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Homemade Compost Tumbler Bins
DIY Compost Tumbler Bins
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More Interesting Articles About Composting
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Have I Helped You Decide To Go With A Compost Tumbler Bin?
Please share your comments about compost tumbler bins or composting in general!
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KateHon
Apr 22, 2012 @ 9:42 pm | delete
- I'm still digesting all your information, but I like what I've read! Great information in this lens!! Well done!
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Pastiche
Apr 21, 2012 @ 2:29 pm | delete
- Thanks for adding this wonderful compost bin lens to Purple Star Pastiche - stop by and vote for this lens in the award winners plexo list.
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KarenCookieJar
Apr 1, 2012 @ 1:50 pm | delete
- My friend had one of these on her wedding registry and I was wondering what they were all about.
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WriterJanis
Mar 27, 2012 @ 4:15 am | delete
- You have some great info here. Blessed!
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hftm69
Mar 25, 2012 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- Every one should be save the planet :)
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amazonnottadog
Mar 23, 2012 @ 9:44 am | delete
- It is amazing how many different bins there are. Thank you.
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skiesgreen
Mar 21, 2012 @ 4:54 pm | delete
- Congrats on LOTD, well deserved. Blessed and featured on Blessed by Skiesgreen 2012 and also on Ban all Plastic. Hugs
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skiesgreen
Mar 21, 2012 @ 4:48 pm | delete
- Nice information and great ideas here. Blessed and featured on Blessed by Skiesgreen 2012 and also on Ban all Plastic. Hugs
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Upon-Request
Mar 21, 2012 @ 10:45 am | delete
- Great green lens - adding to my Recycling at Home and Recycling Video Showcase lenses
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pawpaw911
Mar 20, 2012 @ 8:15 am | delete
- I really do need to get one of these. I do it the old fashioned way.
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One Of My Top Picks!
Compost Tumbler Bin
Compact ComposTumbler 12 Cubic Foot Compost Tumbler
Amazon Price: $349.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
I really like the turn handle on this compost tumbler bin that is gear engaged. It also turns out the compost in as little as two weeks! Read more about this tumbler bin and check out the feedback it has received from other compost tumbler bin buyers by clicking on the photo or link above!
Visit My Gardening Blog
Gardening Your Way!
Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler Bin
Composting Bins
Tumbleweed 200003 58-Gallon Rotating Compost Bin, Green
Amazon Price: $149.91 (as of 05/30/2012)
Another top pick is this compost tumbler bin. I like that this is a bin that I could probably manage myself quite easily and it's affordable as well. If I were to get a smaller tumbler bin, this would probably be my top pick.
