In composting, four elements are crucial: nitrogen, water, carbon and oxygen. When biodegradable ingredients enriched with such elements are combined together and aerated, they attract aerobic bacteria which feed on them.
During feeding the micro-organisms from the soil break down the materials through aerobic respiration, into their simplest forms—compost. Compost is humus, black soil abundant with the nutrients like phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium.
Of the four elements, only oxygen is not inherent. It needs to be constantly attracted to the organic ingredients. Why? Oxygen is a compound basic not only to living organisms, but to non-living as well.
In an ideal compost pile, the ratio of carbon to nitrogen is between 25:1 and 35:1. The carbon dioxide concentration should be below 2&. Its ideal moisture content should be between 50% and 60%, while the oxygen concentrations must be greater than 12%. The temperature needs to be set from 55 to 60 degrees Celsius. If all these are attained, the pH level of your organic material is somewhere between 6.5 and 60.
Now, according to researchers who experimented on composting [conducted by Recycled Organic Unit and Mother Nature’s Farms Inc.] oxygen is what attracts the aerobic bacteria [that is why they call the bacteria aerobic]. These bacteria are simply the micro-organisms that feed on the scraps, breaking them down.
If the oxygen is below 12% before the compost pile reaches the curing period, the final stage of composting in which decomposing slows down to the point that aeration is not a necessity anymore, but the compost continues to stabilize, the presence of aerobic bacteria is limited.
When such thing happens, the carbon dioxide is greater than 2%. In the research, experts found out that fewer micro-organisms were gorging on the organic wastes. They too need to breathe. So while the organic scraps are such a banquet to them, they cannot dare come to lurk around because of scarce oxygen.
So, the researchers made efforts to supply 10cfm of fresh air per cubic yard of active the compost pile, just to control the carbon dioxide below 2%. The fact that it needed 10cfm of oxygen suggested that there are great numbers of microbial composters consuming the oxygen quickly.
Hence, the greater the oxygen supplied into the compost pile, the larger is the amount of earthworms and other aerobic bacteria working on the scraps. Thus, when there are armies of aerobic bacteria feasting on the wastes, composting is speeding up.
The premise of depleted oxygen results to absence of aerobic bacteria, in which condition also, is the invasion of anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria, upon feeding on the organic wastes, slow down the process of composting while producing phytotoxic compounds.
These chemical compounds like ammonia, are not only harmful to plants, human health and environment. They are oozing foul-smelling odor.
Some manufacturers of compost tumblers claim that theirs are efficient in composting organic wastes. The so-called efficiency is often associated with acceleration of composting in just a matter of 15 days.
It may be true that their composting tumblers can compost organic piles in two weeks, but that is when your compost pile is subjected to certain conditions. Aeration system is among them.
With the latest glitch in the economy in Europe, it is only wise to tighten our belts and find ways to save more. When it comes to composting, you may find it economical if you purchase a cheap compost tumbler.
There are three ways to save money for your compost tumbler. The first approach is by shopping online for discounted tumblers. On the internet, you may search for composting tumbler being sold and see whether the shop offers discount for regular composter tumbler.
You will know that a certain tumbler is stripped of its original price because most of these tumblers are priced between more than a hundred and five hundred bucks. Also, the online shops owners will make an announcement, perhaps flashing, that they are on sale.
When you look at the display item, it may bear two tag prices, the original price marked with X or BEFORE, and the new price, sometimes marked with NOW. If you think that a tumbler for composting is already a good bargain with its discounted price then by all means, purchase it.
Shops may hold sale from time to time as part of their marketing campaign. It could also be to dispose the few items left of one model/type. Or, maybe there are new stocks coming and they need to immediately sell the remaining old ones.
Certain occasions such as the Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Specials, New Year’s and Christmas may also call for sale events. In addition, some online shops provide discounts when you purchase more than one item from them regardless of the season.
It is noteworthy to point out that discounted compost tumblers do not necessarily mean they are defective, even if they are sold as second-hand, which is another way to look for a cheap compost tumbler.
At one point, the old composter tumbler must have given up and instead of doing some repairs on it, the owner simply discarded it for a brand new one. Some manufacturers or experts may collect them to recycle or refurbish them.
This does not necessarily entail melting the whole tumbler and creating a new one as it will already be a brand new compost tumbler. The defects may only be minor ones that a few ‘fixing here and there’ could do some wonders, which then can be fit for more composting duties.
There are many skillful individuals who are very creative in repairing and improving old tumblers that you will have a hard time telling the difference. When the compost tumbler is ready to be sold, they are then displayed on the web or at the store. Mostly, their prices can be almost half of the original ones, or even 60% off from its original.
There are also tumblers that are simple in style and design and manufactured from cheap materials, and hence, the price is also cheap. Examples of these are the big bin leaf composter which costs $25, and composter 500 liters at $40.
The wire bin composter is also tagged at $40, while the easy-open composter at $70. The garden gourmet costs $85. Compost tumblers, whether cheap or expensive can have beneficial effect on your garden, and to the planet earth.
Since the introduction of compost tumblers, different designs and styles are manufactured with the intention of making composting easier and more efficient. If you know the right ingredient and ensure that you have mixed the correct ratio of brown to green, you only have to deal with aeration.
Oxygen is very crucial as it affects the outcome of your efforts. While some compost tumbler makers promise this and that, it is wise if you can verify such claims. Therefore, compost tumbler reviews are important for consumers to determine the performance of a certain type of composting tumbler.
The Envirocycle Composter is deemed economical and popular mainly because of its distinct ability to gather from its base “compost tea”, a nutrient-rich liquid that drains away during composting. The base is believed to hold 5 gallons of such tea, which is a good fertilizer for indoor or landscape plants.
Those who have experienced Envirocycle Compost Tumbler took delight in its portability and ease of operation. Its compact size –30.5 inches tall by 25.5 inches wide—makes it suitable for a household with limited space.
However, because it is small, it cannot accommodate large batches of compost pile. In addition, some asserted that it took longer than the advertised duration (which is 6 weeks) for the organic scraps to become compost.
Tumbleweed Composter seems to be controversial. On one hand, one professional reviewer lashed out words describing the Tumbleweed as producing poor quality of compost. On the other hand, non-professional users such as those who have used them at their household vouched that their gardens have become healthy since compost were produced by Tumbleweed.
More than 25 members of National Home Gardening Club testified, after testing tumbleweed of its good design, durability, and ease of use, among others. In a publication about compost tumbler reviews in 2006, the result of Tumbleweed was 8 points out of 10.
Another great compost tumbler is the Mantis Twin Composter. It is great, not just because it is famous on the web and among household owners, but also because its capacity is 20 bushel or 750 liters. Many customers, especially those who own real garden are simply happy of their choice.
The Mantis Twin Composter features two chambers. In one chamber, you can mix one batch of organic waste, while in the other, you can add additional scraps. Sealed chambers are designed to accelerate the production of compost. Hence, you can produce more compost piles with it. But not everyone is able to appreciate the beauty of the twin chambers; particularly because the Mantis Twin Composter is a bit pricey.
If you are conscious of the price, you might consider the Earthmaker Aerobic Composter. Its low and reasonable cost does not sacrifice good performance. Shoppers who tumbled upon this item were amazed with its cheap price and thought of buying it for trial.
It turned out that earthmaker aerobic is an ultra-functional compost tumbler. This tumbler can accommodate more compost regularly without sacrificing the quality of its end-product. According to its users, the compost tumbler lives up to its promise of less maintenance and more compost.
Price is not a sole factor in ascertaining the capacity of compost tumblers in delivering the services that are expected of them in the first place. Climate conditions, your lifestyle and needs should be considered as well.
Granted, composting is beneficial to your garden plants and to the environment in general. And with the innovation in technology, composting today has become easier with compost tumblers. But for this reason as well, it makes hard to choose which composter tumbler is right for you.
To help you decide, it is best to know the different types of composting tumbler, their features and their drawbacks. There is a tumbler mounted horizontally on a framework. Known as crank-operated tumbler, it is operated by a crank, which you shall use in turning the tumbler.
It comes with ridges to help the contents mixed inside. Emptying it is never difficult because it is elevated from the ground. Nonetheless, for the same feature, it makes crank-mounted tumbler difficult to fill up when you have biodegradable wastes for composting.
There is also a rolling composter tumbler horizontally mounted on a base. It comes with rollers or points for spinning the tumbler. While it is good, emptying out the compost is difficult as it cannot be tumbled over. You need a shovel to take out the humus, which may not be entirely removed.
The roll-around composting tumbler is another type. It is a large molded ball that needs to be rolled on the ground to mix the organic scraps inside. Maybe to some, it is fun. But, the problem is that, the tumbler never rolls into the direction you desire, particularly if it is already full. Emptying it is another issue because it is just difficult.
The urban compost tumbler is the final type. It is identical to a crank-operated one in the way that the drum is mounted on a frame, but instead of horizontal, the urban compost tumbler is vertically mounted. It is easy to operate like all other types of compost tumblers.
To mix the organic material, you only need to tumble the tumbler from left to right or to let it rotate like a ferris wheel does. To take out the compost, you just have to turn the tumbler over to the ground.
Its drawback is the close proximity or distance of the tumbler from the ground, which requires a lower wheelbarrow so it can be placed directly beneath the opening of the tumbler. Other than this, urban compost tumblers are the ultimate choice of most people. Named as Urban, urban compost tumblers are often of smaller size than the other three, which makes it very convenient for the urban lifestyle.
But unlike all the others, an urban composter tumbler is eco-friendly. It is completely made of recycled plastic materials for that added “green” touch. And due to its design it is also the most effective for containing the compost odor within the tumbler. So you don’t have to be afraid of killing your next door neighbor with that rotten smell. Another distinct feature of urban composting tumblers is its Central Aeration System, which is patented.
Among the four elements needed for successful composting, oxygen is the most important. It is also the most evasive as it needs to be constantly lured into your compost tumblers. Nevertheless, with urban composting tumbler, your organic materials are given oxygen with its cross-shaped core aeration tube found inside.
The core aeration tube easily and quickly attracts the oxygen from the outside and locks it inside so it is mixed with the scraps during the composting process. I cannot express in writing just how significant the role of oxygen is in your compost pile. If you’ve ever done composting before, you know that it literally can make or break your compost.
Because of its small size, the urban compost tumbler is also very effective for composting small piles without reducing the needed heat, all due to its insulation system design. Yet, despite its relatively small size, it can still accommodate up to 71 gallons or 270 Liters of waste.
When the lid of your urban compost tumbler is securely placed, it does not only retain moisture during dry season, but it can also keep off the excess moisture during rainy season. Moreover, pests cannot interfere with your compost pile since it is sealed shut.
In closing, choosing the most suitable compost making equipment for you can be the difference between you looking forward to making compost, since it’s so easy, and you dreading and completely ignoring to make compost because it is a handful to do. So choose wisely.
