Compost Tumblers
There are several different types of compost bins for sale
The main reason I like them best of all is the speed at which they turn your kitchen scraps into compost. While I have yet to get compost in the two weeks the advertisers claimed, I do get usable compost much earlier than with my regular compost bin. I’m sure the main reason for that is that I’m a bit lazy, and it’s easier to turn compost in a tumbler than in a regular compost bin… much easier! And one of the secrets to getting good compost is to aerate the compost. So if you are lazy like me, or have difficulty turning your compost (you are supposed to occasionally turn your compost bins to help things along) the compost tumblers
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Achla CMP-05 Spinning Horizontal Composter List Price: Sale Price: $149.00 You save: $0.99 (1%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days Average Rating:   |
Description
Gardeners have long understood the importance of composting. It provides a cheap way to convert kitchen scraps and garden waste into food for microorganisms. They, in turn, enrich the soil with healthy nutrients which function as fertilizer for plants. Made from recycled plastic. 7 cubic feet capacity. Minimizes landfill waste. Rodent proof. Features easy access sliding door. Mixing fins break up clumps.
Features
- Turn those table scraps into food for microorganisms
- Made from recycled plastic
- Assembles easily and convenient to use
- Stand included
- Holds 7 cubic feet; measures 33 x 39 x 36 inches; weighs 36 pounds
Reviews
Composting made easy
by L. Collier from El Paso, TX United States on 2008-07-25
I bought a composting bin a number of years ago, completely oblivious to what is involved in composting. Toss stuff in and it "magically" turns to compost. Wrong! Compost has to be turned, I later learned. So the bin was emptied and has been sitting in my backyard for quite some time as it does not facilitate easily turning the compost (or turning it at all for that matter). I came across turning, tumbling, and spinning composters and selected this one. I transferred the stuff I had been tossing in a trash can (in hopes of the "magic" happening) into this composter. Wow! One week later, and it looks and smells wonderful! It still has a ways to go, and I still have more learning to do on the subject, but this composter has made the job very easy--almost not a "job" at all! I will more than likely continue composting for years to come because this composter makes it so simple and clean.
do some research before you buy
by shrinking footprint from Wisconsin on 2009-08-19
This is my first compost tumbler purchase and so far it is working very well. I used to have a "bin" of sorts in the far corner of our yard but having to turn it with a pitchfork regularly and putting up with the critter raids in the night got to be too much of a hassle. Not only does this model not take up much space in the yard but you get a good upper body workout turning it everyday. I have only had mine for a couple of weeks and I am already starting to see results. Unlike the reviewer who put shrimp and fish heads in it, I read ALL the instructions including the section titled, "What NOT to put in your composter". I also did some reading on the subject, a great book called, "Let it Rot!" It is very simple to understand and learn how the 'chemistry' of composting really works. This saved me alot of time and disappointing mistakes before getting it right. My first load consists mostly of garden waste, ie: dead annual flowers and green foliage including chunks of soil caked around the roots of the plants. The rest is kitchen scraps consisting of crushed egg shells, carrots (cut up in small chunks), potato peels, etc. Also, don't put any corncobs or corn husks into it, it takes forever for these to break down. I also purchased a small bag of compost starter just in case I needed it but I have yet to use it. On the bag instructions it tells you to add small amounts of top soil between the layers of waste. With all of the plants I've added with the soil still attached, I had a pretty good amount in there right off the bat. My first load was pretty full, I could barely turn it the first couple of days but now two weeks later I can see things breaking down already. The level has settled down several inches and it smells like freshly tilled soil. I can't wait to spread it around all of my new young trees in the yard! This is a great product, you just have to do a little research ahead of time to save yourself from disappointment and wasted time and energy, which is true of any style of composter. Too many people buy products expecting instant results with little to no effort on their part. Do some homework. I also love the fact that it is made entirely of recycled plastic! I have mine sitting in a sunny spot in the yard so it heated up pretty quick. I would reccommend this product to anyone serious about reducing their output of waste into landfills and helping to save our planet. The benefits are great!
Excellent value, stability, size, exactly as pictured
by M. Creed from West Hartford, CT on 2009-05-25
I'm a beginner composter from a generation of gardeners. I discussed with experts on what type to get for lawn clippings, kitchen waste, and leaves. Spins with a little difficulty because of weight, but creates steaming hot compost quickly.
Set up took 2 minutes, simply connect the 6 pieces of metal pipes together, insert screw, no tools necessary. Did it myself, 5'7' 115 lb female.
Really great, I shopped everywhere. Only concern or other people is that it's a 6 or 7 cubic capacity, people may need more space..
also, does not have a handle for spinning -- but it would be too heavy to use it. Well designed and thought out.
Excellent and affordable spinning composter
by S. Starke from Austin, TX USA on 2008-06-24
This is my first step into composting so I can't vouch for the output yet.
This is the best price I've seen for a spinning composter. It's pretty solid and I was able to put it together myself in about 15 minutes (just needed a wrench and a screwdriver). A second person might be handy when attaching the composter to the legs.
The door slides easily but is also a snug fit and the composter is easy to spin. It's made of pretty solid plastic with little airholes punched througout. Inner ridges and the spinning bar help break stuff up.
When this one fills up we'll probably order a second one so the first can finish its work.
awesome composter
by Corinne Pelletier from Danielson, CT on 2008-08-28
Being a composting fan I did alot of research on composting tumblers. The Achla fits into my scheme perfectly. We are in the process of renewing some very poor soil and this composter has already provided 2 loads of much needed compost for our small garden in 6 weeks...now if they could just do something about the weather......
There are other qualities that make the compost tumbler a more attractive option to me. First, it keeps the compost off the ground and that helps keep away the critters. If you live in states like Montana, where there are bears present, you can find bears trying to rummage through compost bins. Having a tumbling compost bin is more difficult for bears to get in to.
Compost tumblers seem to be the neatest and tidiest compost bins around. Other compost bins seem to attract leaves and spider webs. The compost tumbler doesn’t by the simple virtue of it being moved around almost daily. Since it moves around daily, those critters and their webs do not have the opportunity to set up shop there. Of course the critters who are in the compost tumbler will have the opportunity to continue doing their valuable work for you.
Another advantage if you live in an area where you might experience water restrictions is that compost tumblers, since they are completely sealed, are able to maintain moisture better than other types of compost bins. It is important to keep the compost which is accumulating in compost tumblers moist to the consistency of a damp sponge. Also, you will need to be more careful about adding brown materials to your compost tumbler. You should always add brown materials, such as dried leaves, when you are adding compost to the bin. For a tumbler, it is a good idea to add green and brown materials in the ratio of 3:2.
Bear in mind that the larger the tumbler, the harder it will be to turn. This is because your tumbler will contain more materials. So, if you aren’t very strong, consider getting a smaller tumbler. Regardless, whichever of the many varieties of compost tumblers that you decide is right for you, just remember that composting is the right thing to do.
