Top 5: Best Compost Rollers Review 2017 – for Outdoor Composting
Personally, I love my each one of my tumblers, so much that I am thinking of buying a third one this year so I can have one finishing composting while I’m filling the others. I think Compost Rollers is one of those composting drums that you just go with what works for the given situation. I am currently getting 2-3, 100L batches out of each of my tumblers a summer (we have very hot summers), with almost no smell and they get really hot. I did find that the ratio between carbon and nitrogen is completely out of proportion with what most says for general composting.
I am adding mostly greens, with daily kitchen scraps and the odd batch of dried grass clippings in to get the most favorable ratio, at best 50-50, but probably closer to 60-40 in favor of greens. I’ll avoid browns as much as possible because I suspect many of the “failed composting batches” are because people are relying too much on what the books say, and less on what the pile is telling them.
I do believe that big piles ready to be composted on the ground are ideal and that tumblers aren’t the magic solution but it won’t hurt either which can only be a perfect fit for certain situations. Many Large Outdoor Tumblers I’ve seen used are rather vertical, whereas mine is more round, I think that must help it aerate better because with just a couple of turns the stuff is usually fluffed up pretty well.
For those who are suffering from a bad back and knees might find it quite difficult to turn heavy loads of compost piles without suffering some pain. What I have found is that tumblers work great even if you have limited space and close neighbors. They don’t tend to smell like those making compost on the ground and is even safe for pets in the backyard.
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Assembling Compost Rollers
Assembling commercial tumblers is really easy and you’ll only need a screwdriver and pliers to fit the pieces together. Most barrels come in two pieces. Make sure that you screw all the pieces tightly together or you’ll have compost tea leaking between the joint when turning. Also, make sure that you fit the legs tightly against the barrel so that the weight of the compost doesn’t drag the bin to a different direction. It’s best practice to use your Compost Roller on a flat surface.
Now that the hard work is over the fun may begin. If you think using a compost tumbler is hard work think again. Load the rotating compost bin to maximum capacity, add inoculant — something to accelerate the process with the needed microbes such as a spade full of garden soil or already finished compost. Then turn it every couple of days.
General Tips for Composting
General rules for composting or what not to throw in the rotating bin. Twigs, protein food scraps such as meat, fat, any sort of dairy products, fish as well as bones and pet popping. Be alert of any pesticide, fertilizer or herbicide that may have been applied to your compostable material.
Tip: When there’s a lack of moisture in the barrel. If it occurs to you that the inside of the compost roller is completely dry at a cup or two of water to the leaves and kitchen scraps. Then give it a few good tumbles to distribute the moisture.
Size of your composting materials is important. The smaller the pieces that go into your tumbler, the hotter and faster the process (see Composting Physics). A faster way to speed up the decomposing process is to run the materials over with a lawnmower or by using a shredder to cut it into the smallest pieces possible. As you should know by now composting can be done in the most effective and easiest way possible and that’s why we’ve searched for only the Best Compost Rollers for you to start composting sooner than later.
1. Yimby Tumbler Composter, Color Black
One of Amazon’s best-selling tumbler Compost Rollers is the Yimby Tumbler. Yimby features two separate compartments. One can be used to fill fresh clippings and food scraps while the other side can be left to cook the compost. The compost bin is made from durable BPA free UV inhibited recycled polypropylene while the galvanized steel free won’t rust in warm or raining weather. The composter features adjustable air vents to mix lots of oxygen into the compost which in addition accelerate the composting process.
Avoid digging your compost pile by hand and watch your food scraps and clippings transform into a rich compostable material in as little as two weeks.
Pros:
• Two-sided tumbling composter bin
• Corrosion free Steel frame
• Adjustable air vents
• Easy to use
• 37-gallon capacity
Cons:
• Heavy to turn when both sides are full of organic materials
2. The Most Beautiful Composter in the World, Made in the USA, Food Safe, BPA and Rust Free, No Assembly Required, Envirocycle Composting Tumbler Bin and Compost Tea Maker
The Envirocycle Composting Tumbler Bin is designed to fit compact spaces like balconies, patios or porches while looking stylish and working silently in the background. This elegantly designed composter comes with two main features. While the drum rotates producing compost the base collects excess liquid which can be used as compost tea.
This rolling composter with the base can withstand heats of up to 70 degrees and is manufactured with BPA and rust free, UV and antioxidant protected materials. Why settle for less when you can get this beautiful composting bin and tea maker pioneered by Envirocycle.
Pros:
• Beautiful designed.
• Produces solid and liquid compost.
• BPA and rust free, UV and antioxidant protected materials.
• Made in the USA.
• No assembly required.
• Available in 17 and 35 US Gallons
Cons:
• A bit Expensive
3. Spin Bin Composter 60 gal. Large Capacity Black Barrel Style Tumbler Compost Bin
The Black Barrel Style Composter holds 60 Gallons of food compost at a time. This is more than what most composters can hold at a given time. With a maximum of 20 ventilation slots, dual mixer bag, and rugged ribbed interior you can expect a faster turnaround time for composting food waste and clippings. The super strong legs keep will keep the 60-gallon bin afloat while only a few spins each 2 or three days is necessary without putting the strain on your lower or upper back. The Spin Bin Composter is molded in the USA and Approved by the National Home Gardening Club.
Pros:
• Easy to use and simple to assemble
• 20 Ventilation slots for better
• Super strong steel base legs
• 2 Year Manufacturer’s Guarantee
Cons:
• Bin feels less robust
4. Lifetime 60028 65-Gallon Compost Tumbler
Get ready to Go Green with the 65 Gallon Compost Roller. Easily recycle your unwanted food scraps into a nutritious fertilizer for your vegetable and flower gardens. Constructed with heavy-duty black panels to absorb and retain the heat that decomposes the organic material. The Lifetime is manufactured with an internal mixing bar which allows the flow of oxygen to break composting down into finer fertilizer.
The tumbler rolls on its axis for a smooth and balanced rotation. It’s also secured with enough extra-large lids plus a removable lid for easy access for filling and dumping.
Pros:
• Heavy-duty construction
• Extra large removable lid allows for easy loading
• Powder coated steel frame will withstand the toughest elements
• 5-Year limited manufacturer warranty
• Ingenious tumbler design rotates on axis for easy and balanced rotation
Cons:
• Difficult to assemble
• Difficult to rotate when fully loaded
5. Miracle-Gro DC270MG Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter
The Miracle-Gro turns your home food scraps or garden waste like clippings into a nutritious fertilizer for your gardens. The Gro Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter features dual compartments for faster composting while inside the chamber a mixing bar helps accelerate the decomposition process. Whether winter or summer, the heavy-duty compost bin allows for all year round composting.
Pros:
• Dual compartments for mixing and cooking
• Aeration system to speed up composting process
• Mixing Bars, to fast-track the decomposition process
• Easy to assemble
• Heavy duty construction
• Dual Chamber 2x 18.5 gal / 70 Liter / 2.47cf chambers
• Aftermarket of generic part
Reasonable price
Cons:
• Compartment doors is a bit small – which makes it difficult to remove dirt
Conclusion
Compost Rollers is a great way for composting kitchen scraps in your own backyard, patio or porch. With just a few quick spins every few days you’ll have a rich nutrition compost material ready to be used for any vegetable or flower garden. Even if you are short on available space for one of these Best Compost Rollers mentioned above you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve reviewed these Stylish Countertop Composters so you don’t have any excuse to start composting even inside the kitchen.
