Deanna specializes in home, family, and outdoor products. To narrow this list down to the best in each category, she considered each products capacity, size, and ease of use. If you are looking for a compost bin that turns your waste into soil, opt for the FCMP Dual-Chamber Quick Curing 37 Gallon. Boasting a 65-gallon capacity and a large clearing area, this two-chamber contraption was designed for high-volume composting. Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design. Whether you intervene or not, organic matter decomposes and eventually turns into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. (Hint: Your plant food will be ready in as little as two weeks if you place this puppy somewhere warm and sunny.) A home composter canmake this an easy task, so we researched quite a few of them from many manufacturers, considering factors such as how easy it is to use and clean and how it looks in your kitchen or yard. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Basically, compost is superfood for your gardenand you can make the stuff with nothing more than last weeks soggy fruit salad and a handful of leaves. Gardeners love the Worm Factory, a vermicomposting system that calls on live worms to help process food waste. You can learn more about that process here. All rights reserved. The lid's strong seal traps in smells, and you can still lift it with one hand, which is critical while working in the kitchen. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. If youre tight on space, square/rectangular bins fit snugly into corners. DIY compost bins are commonly made of wood, metal, or stone. There are two main types of compost bins: stationary and tumbling. The secret to transforming everyday organic material into garden gold is a compost bin. composting compost You can speed up the process by getting a tumbler (rotating composter), which mixes up the material, adds oxygen, and helps it all break down faster. For a composter that is for outdoor use, theFCMP Dual-CHamber Quick Curing 37 Gallon Tumbler Composterhas two chambers and, with little maintenance, turns your waste into soil in about two weeks. These ingredients can kill the microorganisms you want to attract, create a big stink in your backyard and potentially invite unwanted guests (think: bears, raccoons and rats) onto the premises. Made of plastic, this tumbler is built for outdoor use only, with a large opening, removable door, and aeration holes. It's more important to regularly remove the decomposed matter. Still, Geobin owners give this guy rave reviewsso if youre using it as intended, its safe to say you (and your pocketbook) will be pleased with the purchase. It can sit on the counter or under the sink and holds approximately 1 gallon of scraps. Get the FCMP Outdoor compost bin at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart. If you have a lot of yard debris and you dont mind manually turning the compost pile every once in a while, then a stationary bin will work. composting We tested the bin both with a liner and without, and it worked great both ways, although using liners (compost bags) helped minimize mess and the need for cleaning. Before you choose a compost bin, youll need to decide if you want to use the conventional composting method or vermicomposting (worm composting).
It comes with four trays, but you can buy more and expand it up to eight trays high. Its simple and easy to use: Place waste into one side and turn the handle every couple of days.
If you need a consistent supply of fresh compost to feed your flowers and vegetable garden, then the FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Tumbling Composter will fit the bill. Composting can also help your local park thrive if they have a compost drop-off spot.). Its made with thick plastic, making it durable to bear the elements outside but can also be reinforced with zip ties or by tying it to garden stakes. This composter comes at a higher price, but it's mess-free, takes away the odor, and does it all indoorstruly adopting a set it and forget it functionality. This composter will withstand any type of weather and make short work of your yard waste year-roundjust add kitchen scraps sparingly, if at all, since the oxygen holes do tend to scatter debris during tumbling, and that can get gross when food is involved. (Just bear in mind that a little debris might fall through the air holes when you turn it.) National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), FCMP IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter, Miracle-Gro 28-Gallon Tumbling Garden Waste Composter, Algreen 28-lb. Above all, the major selling point here is the dual chamber feature, which allows you to churn one pile of waste into compost while simultaneously filling the other chamber with fresh meat (so long as it isnt actually meat). An extra-large lid makes it easy to get compost in and out and, by all accounts, this bad boy does a bang up job of thoroughly mixing and preparing relatively large amounts of compost for use in as little as three weeks. This compost bin is easy to maintain. However, they often still have vents to tamp down the malodorousness. Beyond working as a copywriter and creative consultant, McCormack has had her writing featured in Bustle, Byrdie, TheEverymom.com, and ManeAddicts.com. Dimensions: 7.75 x 7.3 x 7.6 inchesCapacity: 1.75 gallonsMaterial: PlasticChambers: 1. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Read on for a rundown of the different types of bins on the market, plus our picks for the best compost bins in each category. How often should you clean your composter? Another downside is its not the prettiest compost bin to have sitting on your countertop, but it's not a complete eyesore. When buying a composter, the main thing to consider is the method of composting. Usually, indoor composters feature air holes to allow ventilation or airtight lids to keep smells inside. PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. The Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Tumbler is another all-around excellent option. The bin's charcoal filter, which you should replace every 60 to 90 days, is designed to absorb that garbage-y odor.
Dimensions: 17.95 x 17.95 x 14.95 inchesCapacity: N/AMaterial: PlasticChambers: 4. You also get a refrigerator magnet with an infographic outlining what worms can and can't eat, so you know what to toss in. Deanna McCormack is a product reviewer for The Spruce who specializes in beauty, parenting, and lifestyle products. Another perk: The base of this tumbler features a wheeled tray that collects up to five gallons of compost tea (i.e., the liquid that drains off from your compost) so you can easily add that brew to your garden for an even bigger boost. However, animal products, such as meat, dairy, and bones, generally aren't recommended for composting because they can harbor pathogens and attract pests. Once all the decomposing organisms have gorged themselves on your waste, the end result is a thoroughly digested product thats rich in nutrients and good for the ground. The stacking trays allowed for different stages of compost to develop at the same time and made it easy to empty the compost into the garden. Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 36 inchesCapacity: 246 gallonsMaterial: PlasticChambers: 1. Oxo Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin, 1.75 Gallons, Best Budget: You can leave it alone for a few hours until it completes the cycle. What do buyers say? compost naturemill composteur composters composter composting bin composteurs Dont worry, your new pets will return the room-and-board favor by transforming your waste into fertilizer thats so rich in nutrients, it puts less-wormy compost piles to shame. For in-home, short-term storage of compostable materials, its more about aestheticsthough plastics can retain odors. The bin also comes with charcoal filters that trap odors so food scraps can build up during the week without attracting pests or releasing bad smells into your home. We tested the bin with and without a liner. Are you sure you want to remove this item from your Recipe Box? If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Using the bin with a liner minimized some of the mess, but the small shape meant the bucket filled up quickly. The process doesnt fully cook kitchen scraps into traditional compost, so youll need to bury or scatter the contents in an outdoor garden to finish the process. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Then there are vermicomposters, which rely partially on live worms to process scraps (whereas conventional composters just wait for the matter to decompose on its own). This bin relies on inoculated bokashi bran to pre-ferment food scraps (including small bones, meat, dairy, and oily foods), thereby accelerating the composting process. While testing this product, we noticed the lid had a bit of weight to it that became cumbersome to keep lifting whenever we added waste to the bin. If youre looking for something with a large capacity, the GEOBIN Compost Bin can hold 246 gallons! Tumblers are meant to be rotated regularly to mix up the materials, allowing them to decompose faster. We did a deep dive into features, specifications, and customer reviews to create a list of favorites. No problem. productslearn more about As long as the mixture balance is correct, the FCMP tumbling composter will create ready-to-use compost in as little as 2 weeks. If you dont have room for a full-size composter or prefer to compost indoors, the SCD Probiotics All Seasons Indoor Composter will fit right under your sink and wont stink up the kitchen. Spoiler: This thing is a beast (and a beauty). The 8 Best Portable Dryers for the Tiniest Spaces, The Best Kitchen Trash Cans That Match Any Aesthetic, The Best Toilet Brushes That Get the Job Done, What You Need to Know About Bokashi Composting, How to Make Organic Compost for Your Garden, The Best Plastic Storage Bins to Organize Your Space, The Best Garbage Disposals to Pulverize Waste, The Best Self-Watering Planters for the Busy Gardener, How Compost Bins Work and How to Use Them, How to Do Worm Composting With 5-Gallon Plastic Buckets, The Best Paper Towel Holders for Every Home, The Best Zero Waste Products to Save the Environment and Your Money. With an indoor compost bin, wash it out regularly to keep odors under control and prevent bacteria growth. This compact canister is made of durable stainless steel and has a removable inner plastic basket. Tumbler Composter. For those not as familiar with this type of composting, its important to note that red wiggler worms must be used. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. A gardener who gets the benefits of composting for soil should enjoy the 360 Worm Factory. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The following compost bins are our top picks for specific home and garden uses, based on design, cost, and customer satisfaction. Plus, these composters have a low-profile and can even be kept indoors for extra convenience. However, among tumbling composters, its one of the more affordable options." Additionally, avoid putting meat, dairy, and eggs into your composter. The basic model features four stacking trays, but you can add more to handle additional compost materials if needed. Creating compost is not just good for your garden, its also great for the planet. Dark plastic bins are ideal for absorbing heat from the sun and preventing moisture loss. The size of your composter affects the amount of material you can store. Plus, the larger the bin, the longer the pile has to keep cooking to turn into compost. You can turn the soil with a pitchfork or shovel every two to three weeks to help speed up the breakdown process if you wish, but this is not required. Made from plastic, our favorite compost bin is the OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Compost Bin because of its perfect size for countertop use and easy-to-use lid that stays open when needed. If you want to keep it on your counter, its functional, well-sized, and simple design should match any kitchen aesthetic. Dimensions: 36 x 36 x 31 inchesCapacity: 173.92 gallonsMaterial: WoodChambers: 1. Chefn 401-420-120 EcoCrock Counter Compost Bin, SCD Probiotics All Seasons Indoor Composter, Worm Factory 360 US Made Composting System, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day. Greenes Fence Cedar Wood Composter, Best Countertop: The bin comes with a replacement filter so you can swap out your old one when its time. In most cases, bin shape will be determined by the style of composter you intend to purchase and what fits best in your yard. Plus, it only needs to be turned (or "tumbled") every day or two. So, without further ado, here are our top picks. Dimensions: 11.41 x 7.25 (diameter) inchesCapacity: 1.3 gallonsMaterial: Stainless steelChambers: 1. Who else recommends it? A crank handle can save you some physical exertion and is a welcome feature on a composter, provided it actually works welland happy customers say that this one does indeed perform.
