Indoor composting: best compost bins 2018
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Before you choose the best bin for indoor composting
You should know that there are different ways to make your compost. Different types of bins that will use different composting processes. If you intend to go for indoor composting, inside the average home or apartment, there are a few things you may want to consider such as odor and appearance.
The majority of small-scale composting will use a low-odor aerobic composting method and, for this, it is essential to choose an adequate composting system.
A successful indoor compost can be achieved in a few different ways. Using earthworms (also known as vermicomposting or worm composting) is a great way, but not the only one. You can also use electric compost bins or even an anaerobic method with the use of Bokashi (it is a Japanese term meaning ‘fermented organic matter’), where compost will be achieved through a fermentation process.
We will not cover other composting alternatives such as tumbler bins as we consider them to be more appropriate for outdoor use.
Whether you choose a multi-bin system, bokashi bins or electrical bins, you will be able to get the job done while adopting a lovely eco-friendly solution that will reduce the production of methane from organic waste (organic waste that ends up in landfills will produce methane that, will release carbon dioxide during its combustion).
If you want to learn a little bit more about it please take a look at another article that we wrote about composting at home.
Best compost bins for worm composting with multi-bin system
What we love about the multi-bin system is the fact that you can modularly grow your production as you gain experience. It is also a great way to have a steady compost production since the different bins will always be at various stages in the composting process.
The use of worms will make the process faster and low-odor and makes you not need to worry much about the brown and green layers, as long as the first bedding is “brown” and you keep feeding the worms by adding the organic scraps over time.
This method is our favorite. It is as natural as it can be and it can really turn the waste into a rich, dark organic soil that smells like earth. it will provide you with the best compost in our opinion.
Worm Factory 360
The Worm Factory 360 is a tall and modular system (you can add new trays if you need) that doesn’t require much room. It is made from sturdy recycled plastic making it environmentally friendly. The overall construction is solid.
This system is easy to maintain. As long as you feed the worms with appropriate organic scraps, you barely need to worry about cleaning it at all! (even though you will need to empty the worm tea periodically to prevent overflow).
Hot Frog Living Composter
We think that the Hot Frog Living Composter has the most appealing look out of the available multi-system worm composters. The wooden legs give it a unique touch!
It comes with three different layers and it is also modular, as new trays can add up together. Each of the top two layers has 40 holes in the bottom so worms can move between the sections.
We like the Hot Frog system because, if used properly, it will be odorless but users need to manually remove any worm tea produced during the process.
Best Electric Composter
What makes using electric compost bins appealing is the user experience. It is clean, fast, odorless. It does require electric energy, making it not as eco-friendly as other options that do not require a machine doing what nature can perfectly do on its own. Nevertheless, it is still a good step towards a greener life in a way that you will avoid sending your food scraps to a landfill as a final destination.
This kind of composting, however, has a great advantage over others as it allows you to compost dairy, meat and other food scraps that wouldn’t be suitable for vermicomposting.
Food Cycler Platinum
We like this product. It can reduce your kitchen waste up to 90%, breaking it down into a viable soil amendment in less than 3 hours! It is convenient and efficient.
It features a monitoring system that will let you know when to replace the filter and has a capacity of 3 gallons per week.
This product makes composting into an odorless activity as there are no draining, venting or additives required.
Compostio C30
The Compostio C30 is made of an energy-efficient recycled (and recyclable) material that helps to keep the heat inside the unit, optimizing the speed of the composting process.
This product can handle 3 to 4 pounds of food waste per day and it features a double chamber system, meaning that you can add up food at any time while the lower chamber will be handling the composting process.
The Compostio C30 allows you to recycle meat and dairy in an odorless activity, but it will require the addition of baking soda.
Bokashi Composter bins
Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that uses inoculated bran to ferment the organic scraps. This method allows you to turn compost meat, bones and dairy as well. Composting with bokashi will allow you to transform your food scrap into a soil builder and nutrient-rich tea for your garden.
To compost with bokashi, once the bin is full and bokashi adequately mixed in, it will be sealed and kept it aside somewhere shady. The whole process can take between ten to twenty days, depending on the type of organic scrap that will need to be broken down.
Every other day during the process, the leachate, a byproduct of anaerobic composting, will need to be drained out. This liquid can be used as a fertilizer when appropriately diluted. The remains inside the bucket can be either buried or go to another compost bin using an aerobic method.
The SCD Probiotics K100 has a volume capacity of 5 gallons, and its airtight lid allows for faster fermentation and decomposing.
The moisture released by the organic scraps will be drained out preventing spoilage, and a spigot allows for easy removal of liquid compost tea for plant fertilizer.
Sunwood Life Bokashi Compost Kit
This 5 gallons bucket is made from recycled plastic with ceramic powder, making it very sturdy.
Its air-tight lid makes is a good environment for the fermentation process and it comes with a kit containing the essential that you will need to get started.
