Because the contents always drop down,I now take half out, gently put it on its back to get the rest out and then stand it back up. This method seems to mean the contents up top actually drop down about a foot after and its just easier to get contents out
Steve, thank you for making your video. I got a Mini Hotbin 2 days ago, so am just checking up on videos about them. Your compost does look pretty good after sieving. At the moment it feels to me like an ever hungry mouth to feed, but I am looking forward to feeding it. Please do post again in future.
I've had mine since the spring. I'm adding in lots more paper/cardboard but I've taken out the first batch from the base and it looks quite claggy so i'm drying it out. Lots of leachate too.... Any thoughts? Even more cardboard maybe?
Sorry for the late reply, I haven’t really been on RUclips for a few months as I’ve been taking a bit of a break. I would probably add some more cardboard, or shredded paper and see how you get on? 🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
Hi there! Apologies for the delay replying, I didn’t get a notification about your comment. It depends on the ambient temperature and what you put in, but mine generally sits between 30 and 40 degrees during the summer. Grass clippings turbocharge it upto about 70 degrees for a few days. 🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
Well done, thanks for posting. As for the paper, I would mix it up at bit with other more "fluffy" material, with some nitrogen (grass cutting, even urine is great.. just make sure not to overdo it)
Stevie looks great just took some out of my hotbin today really pleased with it. I copied you and only took some out. I have mixed the top layer with fresh waste, I’m assuming this will all eventually fall, or would I need to try and fill the void at the bottom by pushing waste down.
Hi there! I set the bin up around 2 months ago, but took a little while to get going. I had put quite a lot of rough bits of green waste so really pleased with it. I would imagine if it had been all good waste it would have been a lot finer. Take care 🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
I've left mine for 3 months before I emptied it. I put all my garden waste through a garden shredder, the smaller the pieces of garden waste the quicker they'll decompose.
@@sandraalanourfirstalottmen7474 Check out the Homebase shop I got a Sovereign 2400 watt impact shredder for £74. It's not going to chop up big thick branches, but it's perfect for good sized twigs and my baytree leaves, and privet hedges etc etc.
How the hell did those worms get in the enclosed box lol... How long had the first batch been in, I have just received mine it's two thirds full and I'm not sure how long till my first batch, it seems to imply 3 months? Aslo can I ask if it's one third full now (only filled this week) how far will it compost down after 3 months or so?
Hi there! So I can only imagine that the worms came from the compost from my pervious compost bin I added at the start - they will help break down the material I the hot bin cools down at all. The batch in the video was between 1 and 2 months I believe, and was used to plant some potato’s - which are growing really well! I would say at about 1 month it produces a very rough mulching compost, but at 3 months a much finer compost for potting on ect. In terms of composting down, it depends what you are putting in - grass clippings compost down to a very small size, but denser materials produce more finished product. I hope this helps! 🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
@@stevesallotment Cheers, most of it is hedge clippings so I'm expecting about one third. I can't see me having much green to composte after November so I'll probably dig it out late January. If I can get three batches a year ill be happy :-)
mbya777 apologies I’ve only just seen your comment! Generally no - never when the kid is closed. Occasionally when it’s open, depending what is in there it might smell a little. 🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
I liked the enclosed nature that protects this a little better from pests (having had mice in my last bin). I keep this one inside my greenhouse as it is fully enclosed, and the warmed air that it vents helps to slightly warm the green house. No doubt they are very expensive, but Im glad I bought mine (with a discount at the time!). I do also have some large wooden compost bins at the allotment too, which I built from free pallet wood.
That was some lovely material Steve, well done.
♻️Happy gardening, Terry King.
Thanks Terry, I’m pleased with it for a first go!
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
Because the contents always drop down,I now take half out, gently put it on its back to get the rest out and then stand it back up. This method seems to mean the contents up top actually drop down about a foot after and its just easier to get contents out
Hi Steve. That looked like pretty good compost after sieving. I’m considering getting one for composting at home. Take care. Nick
Hi Nick, I really like mine. They are expensive, but I think its worth it. A big bonus for me was that the mice have left it well alone!
Steve
Steve, thank you for making your video. I got a Mini Hotbin 2 days ago, so am just checking up on videos about them. Your compost does look pretty good after sieving. At the moment it feels to me like an ever hungry mouth to feed, but I am looking forward to feeding it. Please do post again in future.
Cynthia Read I’ve been happy with it so far. It certainly is hungry!
I've had mine since the spring. I'm adding in lots more paper/cardboard but I've taken out the first batch from the base and it looks quite claggy so i'm drying it out. Lots of leachate too.... Any thoughts? Even more cardboard maybe?
Sorry for the late reply, I haven’t really been on RUclips for a few months as I’ve been taking a bit of a break. I would probably add some more cardboard, or shredded paper and see how you get on?
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
Hi mate how did u sieve your compost because the normal garden sieves seem too small grade
Hi there! This was sieved using just a fine grade garden sieve! Took a while, but really pleased with the result!
Thanks for the video. What sort of average temperature were you able to keep it at? And did you put in any meat/dairy waste?
Hi there! Apologies for the delay replying, I didn’t get a notification about your comment. It depends on the ambient temperature and what you put in, but mine generally sits between 30 and 40 degrees during the summer. Grass clippings turbocharge it upto about 70 degrees for a few days.
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
Well done, thanks for posting. As for the paper, I would mix it up at bit with other more "fluffy" material, with some nitrogen (grass cutting, even urine is great.. just make sure not to overdo it)
I do use a lot of grass clippings, which do supercharge the composter for a few days 👍
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
@@stevesallotment yep, nitrogen is steroids! I keep a fork nearby and give it a good stir..
I pulled a dry layer I had in my bin out and mixed it with fresh kitchen scrap and put it back in the top. Worked like a charm.
Stevie looks great just took some out of my hotbin today really pleased with it. I copied you and only took some out. I have mixed the top layer with fresh waste, I’m assuming this will all eventually fall, or would I need to try and fill the void at the bottom by pushing waste down.
Glad yours turned out well! I usually put the cover back over the bottom and push the remaining stuff down, which seems to work well.
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
How long does it take time to decomposition all your materials please let me know dear and thanks In advance
It depends on what you put in, as this affects how hot it gets, and how quick the process is. Usually a couple of months on average though.
@@stevesallotment hi I am from uk i put 50 50 greens and browns thanks
@@nishapatel9326 I am also in the UK. I aim for about 50:50. Grass cuttings are very good at getting the temperature up.
@@stevesallotment thanks dear
Thanks for filming this. How long had your bin been left for Steve? We’ve got a hot bin the same as this one but we aren’t sure how often to empty it.
Hi there! I set the bin up around 2 months ago, but took a little while to get going. I had put quite a lot of rough bits of green waste so really pleased with it. I would imagine if it had been all good waste it would have been a lot finer.
Take care
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
I've left mine for 3 months before I emptied it.
I put all my garden waste through a garden shredder, the smaller the pieces of garden waste the quicker they'll decompose.
Steve's Allotment Thank you
squeakeroo1 Thanks - good point. We’ll chop up the browns and greens a bit finer 👍🏼
@@sandraalanourfirstalottmen7474
Check out the Homebase shop I got a Sovereign 2400 watt impact shredder for £74.
It's not going to chop up big thick branches, but it's perfect for good sized twigs and my baytree leaves, and privet hedges etc etc.
How the hell did those worms get in the enclosed box lol... How long had the first batch been in, I have just received mine it's two thirds full and I'm not sure how long till my first batch, it seems to imply 3 months? Aslo can I ask if it's one third full now (only filled this week) how far will it compost down after 3 months or so?
Hi there!
So I can only imagine that the worms came from the compost from my pervious compost bin I added at the start - they will help break down the material I the hot bin cools down at all.
The batch in the video was between 1 and 2 months I believe, and was used to plant some potato’s - which are growing really well!
I would say at about 1 month it produces a very rough mulching compost, but at 3 months a much finer compost for potting on ect.
In terms of composting down, it depends what you are putting in - grass clippings compost down to a very small size, but denser materials produce more finished product.
I hope this helps!
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
@@stevesallotment Cheers, most of it is hedge clippings so I'm expecting about one third. I can't see me having much green to composte after November so I'll probably dig it out late January. If I can get three batches a year ill be happy :-)
Equalizing Force fair enough - you can use your household food waste to top up your greens 👍
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
How did you sieve your compost ?
David H
I just use a soil sieve from the garden centre - nothing special!
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
You really need to remove all the cellotape
I remove as much as I can before I put it in, but do sometimes miss some. I drive the compost at the end to get any that remains out.
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
Does it smell?
mbya777 apologies I’ve only just seen your comment! Generally no - never when the kid is closed. Occasionally when it’s open, depending what is in there it might smell a little.
🧑🌾 Steve 🧑🌾
I bought my compost bin from the council for £19 and put it on the south side of the garden. It pretty much does what a hot bin does!
I liked the enclosed nature that protects this a little better from pests (having had mice in my last bin). I keep this one inside my greenhouse as it is fully enclosed, and the warmed air that it vents helps to slightly warm the green house. No doubt they are very expensive, but Im glad I bought mine (with a discount at the time!). I do also have some large wooden compost bins at the allotment too, which I built from free pallet wood.