compostumbler

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Has anyone ever used a Compostumbler? I have a chance to buy a used one and am wondering if they are worth it? The one I am thinking about buying is the largest size which originally sold for around $400. Of course, I won't be paying near that much! Is the activator necessary to use with it expensive? Thanks for any info you can give me.

-- ugly (here@home.com), September 27, 2001

Answers

We have one, Ugly!

It isn't as easy to get the balance of green/brown as the advertisements would have you believe, but once you get used to the critter it really does work. Even when you don't load it right the first time, you can add whatever it needs and start over. And you don't need 'activator', if you put the right stuff in there, it'll cook fine. IMHO, your $ will be better spent if you buy one of those long thermometer thingies unstead.

Ours has been earning it's keep for over 5 years now. Try to get the instruction booklet with it, but if they've lost it, e-mail me and I'll copy ours for you.

-- Jorja Hernandez (jorja@color-country.net), September 27, 2001.


I had one for a long time. It works really well.

For any fast composting you need to get the carbon to nitrogen mix right. The compostumber gives you a way to get lots of fresh air in the mix for even faster composting.

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), September 27, 2001.


Dear Ugly After you get the hang of the thing, there great. I finially made up a batch of compost in no time at all. I put all the kitchen scrapes in, No meat or grease. I put a shovel of dirt in, now and then, also put some cotton seed meal in. and a shot of ammonium sulfate. Just keep layering with green stuff, and in a month or so you will have ready made compost. I put some in my bins this morn. and potted up some tomatoes for the hot house for winter. Lots of luck. I would buy it. Love Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), September 27, 2001.

This is really wierd. We just bought one and my husband is assembling the thing right now as I type!! It only took 2 days for it to get here! I was reading the book and they say to up the nitrogen (make it hotter - cook faster) you can use bone meal. I can't wait to see how it works. We got one because of some back problems we figured it had to be easier than turning over a pile. Oh by the way, the directions also say that it is VERY important that you turn the drum several times EVERYDAY.

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), September 27, 2001.

Thanks everyone for the info! I bought it and am looking forward to lots of good compost. It even came with the booklet so I'm ready!

-- ugly (here@home.com), September 28, 2001.


What Compostumbler says between the lines is that everything must be at perfect carbon-nitrogen ratio and chopped fine for quick composting. And then just the right amount of moisture. Regardless, you will end up with a lot of "balling up" instead of nice silky compost. Instructions may say that these balls may be broken up by hand. OK as long as there is not a rotten cucumber inside! It took a few years for me to get smart and get a pair of 40 inch rods which were inserted about 15 inches in from each end. The turning of the tumbler now creates 3 vortexes which thoroughly break up and mix the material instead of just rolling it around. I cussed my tumbler many times until I came up with that idea. Happy composting!

-- Martin W. Longseth (tmofmadison@aol.com), October 09, 2001.

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