Compost Bin » Compost Pails
Compost Containers
Compost containers come in several general formats, compost pails, compost bins and compost tumblers among others. Each has its place in the composting process.
Compost pails are the house hold collectors for the process. Some simply use a bowl and deposit the kitchen waste after every peeling or other food preparation. Others have either a bucket under the sink or a fancy crock on the counter. These can be as plain or as elaborate as you like. A good hint is to line the bottom of the bucket with paper towel or newsprint about three sheets thick. It absorbs odors and even in the heat of summer will allow a couple of days before the smell demands it be deposited in the compost bin. Look for a size that will allow you to deposit the usual kitchen waste of a couple of days in the pail or crock.
Compost bins come in a variety of sizes and sorts. Commercial ones are often designed as constant piles, that is piles that are not turned or moved to another bin but material is rather added to the top and taken from the bottom. If you desire to use a hot system that requires a three pile set up make sure that the bins you purchase make easy to add material and to remove it later. Better yet you may wish to make your own bins. These are basically boxes with three sides, no top and no bottom. A front that is easily opened may be used but is not necessary. Unlike many commercial bins home made ones can be made large enough for efficient composting, three feet high, wide and deep. The first bin is the compost container for gathering material, the second for the first turning and the third for the second turning. Compost can be turned from second to third and back again to speed up the process by adding air to the mixture.
Compost tumblers speed the mixing and turning. They are also enclosed so as to retain moisture. The hard work of turning is removed by turning or tumbling the enclosure on an axle or over external bearings. Some roll around on the ground. In theory composting is accomplished much faster than in other systems because it is so easy to turn the tumblers that people do so every time they go by. The constant aeration combines with the breaking up of the material as it turns to speed up the process.
The combination of the containers defines a composting system. Each compost container fulfills a different role in the process and can be made unique to each individual who composts and gardens.
Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.
You can easily ask your questions about wood turning at his blog at Round Opinions as well as comment on any thing related to the web site, this article or other aspects of wood turning, art and craft.
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