i made a compost tumbler similar to this several years ago (there is probably even a video on my channel regarding it). I had experience using the old compost pile method and I had several of those going too around my homestead but wanted to try the tumbler method to see if it was easier or quicker because I need a LOT of compost. Almost immediately I ran into some issues with the barrel style. The first is that due to the extremely hot temperatures inside the barrel, you need to add water almost daily and rotate the barrel a couple times a day. You would think this in turn would lead to quicker compost production but it doesn't ... this leads me to the second problem was the time to make compost in the barrel styles compared to traditional methods. You stated in your video several months to produce a finished compost and that was my experience also. Yet using a traditional compost pile and turning it once a week yields compost in only 3 weeks. I had some theories but not being a scientist and no interest in testing, I assume the heat generated in the barrels affects the organisms that actually break down the compost in a traditional pile. Also, in a traditional compost pile, the compost has direct ground contact where those organisms live vs in a compost barrel you have to add/inoculate them into the system. I ended up going back to the traditional way of composting on the ground due to my findings.
i guess i should also state, I don't mean they don't work. Probably for a home user that has minimal amounts of material to compost and doesn't require a lot of finished compost regularly that also has the time to turn it and add water daily ... this system is probably perfect for them. But if you have a lot of material to compost and need large amounts of compost and don't have the time to tend to compost every day, the traditional method of composting is probably best.
@@sharpridgehomestead I am so glad that I watched this video and read your comment. The fact that it takes several months to make the compost is a dealbreaker. Why build this contraption, work more with small openings, rotate the barrel and wait longer? It seems like a solution for a problem that does not exist. Even for a home gardener with 1/4 acre or less land, there will be more grass clippings every week than this can handle.
@@feiinc the traditional way is just creating a pile on the ground and letting nature and microbes take care of it for you. You turn the compost pile by hand (well, technically a pitch fork for smaller piles or even something as large as a front end loader for massively large piles) which speeds up the process. If the pile dries out, add a little water. I can turn out finished compost this way every 28 days ... so I keep multiple piles going in various stages.
I am composting in the ground using a trash can with a locking lid that I drilled holes in the bottom, sides, and top. I can turn the cannon it’s side and roll around a bit and put back in place. We will see how it all works out for me.
I made this one with some changes from other videos. However thankfully I DID NOT put half inch holes all over for aeration, as some videos recommend, but instead put 8" dia .holes at each end with aluminum screening over them sealed at any gaps with construction adhesive. These barrels can become a housefly breeding mecca, and half inch holes would allow uninterrupted travel.
your missing ingredient is water. also - the trouble with the tumbler is that you have to STOP using the tumbler once it is full for up to 3 months to allow the latest additions to fully cure before you can use any of it. You then need a SECOND one to continue with the daily additions. One looks complicated and expensive to build...let alone two. A simple bin with a lid on the top and a sliding door on the bottom would be much more efficient and cost conscious. You simply add a bucket of chopped veg waste every few days from the kitchen and cover this with stockpiled chopped leaves from last fall. dont mix it! just plunge holes through the layers once in a while. After 3 months you can lift the slide and begin to take the oldest layers away and into the garden. As you remove it, the upper areas drop down ready for the next month and the ongoing twice weekly additions.
Awesome. I watch the original video earlier today. Great job!
i made a compost tumbler similar to this several years ago (there is probably even a video on my channel regarding it). I had experience using the old compost pile method and I had several of those going too around my homestead but wanted to try the tumbler method to see if it was easier or quicker because I need a LOT of compost. Almost immediately I ran into some issues with the barrel style. The first is that due to the extremely hot temperatures inside the barrel, you need to add water almost daily and rotate the barrel a couple times a day. You would think this in turn would lead to quicker compost production but it doesn't ... this leads me to the second problem was the time to make compost in the barrel styles compared to traditional methods. You stated in your video several months to produce a finished compost and that was my experience also. Yet using a traditional compost pile and turning it once a week yields compost in only 3 weeks. I had some theories but not being a scientist and no interest in testing, I assume the heat generated in the barrels affects the organisms that actually break down the compost in a traditional pile. Also, in a traditional compost pile, the compost has direct ground contact where those organisms live vs in a compost barrel you have to add/inoculate them into the system. I ended up going back to the traditional way of composting on the ground due to my findings.
i guess i should also state, I don't mean they don't work. Probably for a home user that has minimal amounts of material to compost and doesn't require a lot of finished compost regularly that also has the time to turn it and add water daily ... this system is probably perfect for them. But if you have a lot of material to compost and need large amounts of compost and don't have the time to tend to compost every day, the traditional method of composting is probably best.
@@sharpridgehomestead I am so glad that I watched this video and read your comment. The fact that it takes several months to make the compost is a dealbreaker. Why build this contraption, work more with small openings, rotate the barrel and wait longer? It seems like a solution for a problem that does not exist. Even for a home gardener with 1/4 acre or less land, there will be more grass clippings every week than this can handle.
@@hgwash1 that is exactly why I went back to the old way of composting
@@sharpridgehomestead How is the traditional way? Mind sharing?
@@feiinc the traditional way is just creating a pile on the ground and letting nature and microbes take care of it for you. You turn the compost pile by hand (well, technically a pitch fork for smaller piles or even something as large as a front end loader for massively large piles) which speeds up the process. If the pile dries out, add a little water. I can turn out finished compost this way every 28 days ... so I keep multiple piles going in various stages.
Your neighbour really likes sheds!
Thank you for sharing! Looks like a very practical and well thought out design.
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
Care to show your design of stand that your compost tumbler sit on
I am composting in the ground using a trash can with a locking lid that I drilled holes in the bottom, sides, and top. I can turn the cannon it’s side and roll around a bit and put back in place. We will see how it all works out for me.
It would be so helpful if you have measurements for those rookies like me. Great idea thank you
Very simple, practical, professional & fabricate ourself.
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
Good technogy. Salute fr ur support fr Recycling.
I made this one with some changes from other videos. However thankfully I DID NOT put half inch holes all over for aeration, as some videos recommend, but instead put 8" dia .holes at each end with aluminum screening over them sealed at any gaps with construction adhesive. These barrels can become a housefly breeding mecca, and half inch holes would allow uninterrupted travel.
Is there a insulated version to use it all year long?
What concern would you have if the grass you added, came from a chemically treated lawn (i.e. for superior greening, no weeds, etc.)?
For what garden this is? 4 square meters in total ? Very very small
Do you have a video with step by step on you make this?
Thank you brother.
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
My Name is Anil Hooda
From India
Very nice
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
Hello guys! I would like to buy the instruction to build this composter! I am in Mexico!
I'm thinking of modifying my tumbler with 4" wheels instead of the 3". My compist bin is close to full capacity and its difficult to turn.
empty it into a trash can or a burlap sack and keep it for later
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
food waste is NOT an issue...it is an opportunity.
Can daily kitchen scraps be added? If so won't there always be different levels of decomposition of the scraps?
Are weeds safe to compost also?
your missing ingredient is water. also - the trouble with the tumbler is that you have to STOP using the tumbler once it is full for up to 3 months to allow the latest additions to fully cure before you can use any of it. You then need a SECOND one to continue with the daily additions. One looks complicated and expensive to build...let alone two. A simple bin with a lid on the top and a sliding door on the bottom would be much more efficient and cost conscious. You simply add a bucket of chopped veg waste every few days from the kitchen and cover this with stockpiled chopped leaves from last fall. dont mix it! just plunge holes through the layers once in a while. After 3 months you can lift the slide and begin to take the oldest layers away and into the garden. As you remove it, the upper areas drop down ready for the next month and the ongoing twice weekly additions.
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
Please do go on, as I wondered something similar
Does this process halt during the winter?
if its not under freezing
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
I wonder if they painted it black
I got a load of worms 🪱 to put in and they are hard at work doing their job of breaking down the waste.
Nice are you MS Student there in university of Kentucky?
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
CAN WE COMPOST WET WASTE OR LIQUID WASTE ???
yes
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
He bro i have some questions about compost can we talk
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
👌
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
How bout instructions on building it
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a
3 to 4 months is too long
THRiVE: Turn Food Waste into Ready-to-Use Compost Easilythrive-turn-food-waste-into.kckb.st/4e0f953a