Tumbler Composter

Kili

Hi all, dose anyone use a tumbler composter. I was thinking I might get one on the basis I don't have to take the material out to turn it.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has one, would they buy one again or just get a stand alone composter instead?

Bee witched

Hi @Kili,

I've got one ... had it so long that the metal drum has rusted in places and is patched up with gaffer tape.
I use it for all the kitchen peelings as I find that if they are put directly into our wooden compost bins then the rats come calling. Once everything has broken down a good bit it gets added to the main heap. So it is useful for that, but I wouldn't buy another.
We only turn our compost once a year .... still turns out well.

Bee x

Kili

@Bee witched thanks for sharing your experience with me. I only have a smallish garden ( 24' x 36') so don't really have the room for a big pallet board system or large open heap so thought I might try a tumbler job, but they are quite small capacitates  looking at those for sale. 

Fire

I haven't got one but I heard they can get quite heavy to turn. For a small space I recommend a plastic rubbish bin with a clip on lid. Make drainage holes in the bottom. Costs about £10

Bee witched

I agree, they can get quite heavy to turn .... and ours can kick back a bit if the contents haven't moved to the bottom.

Our council gave us all a free darlek composter many years ago ... some people I know didn't want them and gave them to me so I have 4. They actually work quite well, but were just not big enough for the amount of stuff we generate. That's why we built a large wooden one with 3 compartments.
I keep fresh manure from our friends' alpacas in the 4 darleks now .... rots down really well ... tremendous stuff.

Bee x