Best Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler Of 2024
Brandon Forder Apr 27, 2024 4:47 AM
There are many upsides to composting. Composting not only diverts organic waste from landfills, but also turns it into a useful soil additive for indoor and outdoor plants. Using a compost tumbler to generate compost at home is a simple and hygienic option.
Aerobic, or oxygen-loving, bacteria are used in composting to speed up the decomposition of organic matter. In the past, home gardeners had to use a garden fork to physically turn their compost piles, releasing oxygen into the system. This caused a mess in the backyard and attracted pests.
The greatest compost tumblers have a vented barrel that completely encloses the pile. Since the barrel is mounted on a frame, the time-consuming and physically demanding procedure of turning it with a fork is rendered unnecessary.
A compost tumbler can help you produce high-quality compost in a shorter amount of time. Check out these top-notch examples before reading on to discover more about the standards we applied in making our recommendations.
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Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Capacity
Most compost tumblers will state their capacity in cubic feet or gallons; as gallons are more commonly used in the kitchen and for trash, we'll be using those units here. The majority of the models we've included have capacities between 30 and 100 gallons, making them suitable for processing the food waste from a single household. To give some perspective, a large-ish kitchen trash can can store around 15 gallons, whereas a regular countertop compost bin can hold approximately a gallon. Compost can reduce in volume by as much as 70 or 80 percent over time, so as food scraps decompose, more room will open up in your compost tumbler.
Dual or single chamber
If you plan on adding new scraps to your tumbler on a semi-regular basis and want to keep the fresh vegetable ends separate from the semi-broken down organic matter that is further along on its way to becoming compost, then one of the options on our list with multiple chambers may be the best choice for you. According to Liza Corsillo of The Strategist, "two chambers mean you can get one batch of compost going while adding fresh food scraps to a new batch, yielding finished compost faster." We've included some outdoor composting alternatives that aren't exactly tumblers; some are designed to function efficiently with just one chamber, while others, like a worm-powered composter, have as many as five trays for loading new wastes.
Purpose
Get specific about why you need a trash can before you go shopping for one. Will it mostly be used for dumping out food scraps, for instance? Then then, can it handle things like grass clippings, weeds, and other yard waste? Is it going to be filled sporadically, with more material being added at intervals until it's finally stuffed? Or, will new content be added to it on a regular basis?
Tumblers with a capacity of 15 to 25 gallons are ideal for digesting the kitchen scraps and occasional plant debris generated by the average home. Choose a compost tumbler with a capacity of 50 to 80 gallons if you need a bin that can manage larger quantities occasionally, such as at the end of a gardening season. A double-chamber tumbler is ideal because it allows you to process and finish compost in one chamber while continuously adding new material to the other.
Material
Most compost tumblers are built of tubular steel or plastic, with a UV-protected plastic bin. Plastic is great for the bin because it can withstand the elements, won't rust, and will slowly release its heat. Composting is slowed in metal bins because the heat they generate escapes more quickly in cold weather, and the bins corrode over time.
Tumblers with a central axis or a handle for operation often have tubular steel frames. The plastic base of most ground-rolling bins can double as a reservoir for collecting "compost tea," a liquid byproduct of composting that can be used in the garden.
Aeration
Compost needs air and dryness for the decomposition process to work properly, and tumbling aids in both. If you want to start composting, you should get a bin that has some sort of aeration system built in, including holes or vents in the walls, fins on the inside walls, flat sides, and mixing bars.
It's possible for the contents to get more compressed as they decompose. The clumps can be broken up and the material loosened by shaking the bin. It is important for the microbes decomposing the matter to be able to breathe and for any excess moisture to be able to escape, thus openings are provided for this purpose. If the walls are flat, as in a hexagonal shape, the contents will have to roll rather than slide. Details like fins and bars assist churn the material and introduce oxygen, while also providing a unique textural element.
Pest Control
Insects and rodents can be kept out of a compost pile with the use of an enclosed compost tumbler. These units' covers have mechanisms like threading, latches, or sliding onto tracks to prevent rodents and other tiny animals from getting inside.
The container is made of steel and reinforced with thick, sturdy plastic, making it nearly hard for rodents to break into. Even bears find them difficult, but you shouldn't try to prove it. Meat scraps, bones, and high-fat foods should be avoided in the trash can.
Location
Think about a good spot for your composter. Can you use something that is portable enough to fit on a back porch? Or are you planning on hiding it near the garden's end, where you have more room for a larger structure?
Is there a distinct rise or fall to the ground? Our Envirocycle composter can't handle the incline. Those of weaker build quality will have problems, too. You should buy something with a wide base and a low center of gravity if you have to deal with a hill.
Keep in mind that composters often attract unwanted pests. Kitchen scraps can be a magnet for rodents, squirrels, foxes, and even bears in certain regions. It's important that the doors fit snugly and have a sturdy latch to keep them closed. That's a must if you want your garden to smell nice.
With what sort of climate would your composter have to deal? Composting progresses more rapidly in warmer environments. If you're struggling with low temperatures, a black coating can help you by soaking up the sun's heat.
A plastic composter will hold up better than a metal one in a high-rainfall environment. Galvanized or powder-coated steel is a good choice if you're set on using steel.
Whereas, plastic composters can break down in areas with high levels of sunlight. Composters from FCMP Outdoor are made with UV-resistant polymers to prevent this from happening. If your garden gets a lot of sun, that might be a good option for you.
Finally, think about how your final selection will look.
You should consider how large the composter will be in relation to the rest of your yard. If there isn't a secluded spot nearby, pick a finish that will help it disappear. For example, Mantis's tumble composter is available in a sage green color that matches the surrounding vegetation.
Ease Of Assembly
When it comes to construction, not all composters are made the same. As an example, the Envirocycle can be used right out of the box. Some of these require more than one person to complete.
Think about how much time you'll be able to dedicate to constructing your composter. Some may also require a sizable working area in order to properly assemble everything. And you could benefit from using some basic equipment.
You can learn about people's impressions of the service by reading their reviews. Commentary on the clarity of instructions and the necessity for individualization is common. If putting it together is going to cause you stress, then you shouldn't get a composter, no matter how good it is.
How do you use a compost tumbler?
Place the compost tumbler in direct sunlight to hasten the development of the necessary composting organisms. You can fill it all at once or gradually over the course of a few weeks with a variety of garbage, including food scraps, shredded paper, garden waste, grass clippings, dead leaves, and other bits of yard waste. Wet the ingredients (they should resemble a slightly damp sponge) and seal the jar.
You should switch out the trash can every few days. The components should be warm to the touch and odor-free after a week. Keep doing weekly or biweekly inspections and rotating the container. As more and more of the material undergoes decomposition, the temperature will rise and then fall as the breakdown process nears completion.
You should re-hydrate it with water as needed. When the substance has cooled, it will seem black and crumbly, with no discernible particles.
How long does it take to make compost in a tumbler?
Composting takes a different amount of time at different temperatures, at different times of year, and with different proportions of ingredients. If the conditions are just right, compost can be ready in under 10 weeks.
What can you put in a composter?
Apple cores, banana peels, vegetable skins, spent coffee grounds, eggshells, and stale bread are just some of the food wastes that can be recycled in a composter. It's generally advised against composting animal items including meat, dairy, and bones due to the viruses they can harbor and the pests they can attract.
We also accept paper towels, cardboard, shredded newspaper, grass clippings, leaves, wood shavings, hay, animal manure, and other yard debris. Oils, pet waste, sick plants, charcoal, and ash are just some of the things you should avoid putting in a composter.
We have compiled a detailed list of the best dual chamber compost tumblers currently available. These Composting Tumblers range widely in design and functionality, making direct comparisons between them impossible. This will help you make smart decisions along the way.
