How to Spin Compost Bins

Composting organic material in the garden is faster with compost bins because they can be rotated to increase aerobic activity. Turning any compost pile will facilitate decomposition, but spinning a compost bin takes less time and requires much less physical exertion.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compost bin
• Organic materials
• Water

1. Add organic materials to fill the compost bin. Ideally, add organic materials in the proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio all at once; otherwise add them incrementally, but try to maintain the proper ratio (see References for more information). Add only enough water to moisten the mixture. Remove stones and large twigs from the compost.

2. Cover the opening of the compost bin and secure the latches that hold the cover in place. Stand facing the compost bin. Inspect the bin's positioning and proceed only if the bin is level on a flat surface. Remove any obstacles that could prevent the bin from making a complete revolution. Allow for extra clearance for your hands while spinning the compost bin.

3. Grasp the handle firmly with both hands. Handles are either attached to the side of the bin, also called cranks, or molded into the body of the bin. Rotate the side handle clockwise. Push the molded handle away from your body. Spin the compost bin one or two complete revolutions, four times a week. Do not spin the compost bin too often; this may interfere with the heat generation process. Alternate the direction of the spin during the next spin session to increase the mixing of carbon and nitrogen.

4. Clear any material away from the air vents that may have fallen while the bin was spinning. Re-secure the cover onto the bin.

Tips & Warnings

• You can begin your spinning routine before your bin is full. Spin the bin while you continue to add organic materials. Do not overfill your compost bin. Leave some space for the materials to tumble around inside as you spin it.
• Very wet compost leads to unbalanced loads and will be heavy and difficult to spin. Compost will become more uniform and easier to manipulate as decomposition progresses.

References

• Mother Earth News Compost Tumblers Test
• Carbon and Nitrogen Ratios for Composting