Tweet
Received hotbin week after Hampton court flower show in July set it up filled it at least to the top three times and have seen it got down spectacularly. Want to know how you determine it is ready to empty and restart.
-
-
The simple answer is you empty it when it fills up close to the top of the bin and you can't add any more to it. The longer you can leave the compost in the bottom of the bin to mature the better. I have taken compost out after about 4 weeks - it's useable at that stage - but in reality compost takes about 2-4 months to fully mature.Stephen -
If it's been hot (ie between 40 and 60 or so) for a couple of months I tend to put the bin gently down on its back, (tape the lid down), take off the cam straps and remove the front cover so you can see how the compost is looking. You can then see how well it's broken down that way. Hope that helps.Comment
-
I empty my hotbin about every 6 months and remove the top layer of partially composted material and put it in the wheelbarrow, this means that the compost is not going to cause a problem with weed seeds germinating. I then remove the fully composted material and put it in plastic bags to await a time to use it. I then hose out the bin and clean the holes in the base. ( what are these holes for?). I then return the partially composted material to re-start the cycle.
Re: worms. My wife thinks these should be returned to the soil but surely they are Eisenia foetida, not normal earthworms which are Lumbricus terrestris and not normal soil commensals.Comment
-
I never empty and restart - its a flow through bin, so I take a little out of the bottom each week. The longest I've had the hotbin running continuously is just over a year.Comment
-
Dear Spadelessade,Originally posted by Spadelessade View Post
I just wanted to thank you for the single most useful piece of advice I have ever seen on this forum.
For months I have suffered contamination of 'the good stuff' as the uncomposted layers of waste collapse down into the fully composted waste.
It's been driving me nuts!!
I don't know why I didn't think of this myself!! π
I emptied the sump, then used a sack barrow to tip mine onto its back, then dug out about 100 litres of some of the best compost I have ever seen from a compost bin.
No bad smells. No contamination from above. No fuss.
If I there were some way I could by you a drink or three, I certainly would.
A fantastic solution to a messy problem.
THANK YOU!!
πComment
-
Apologies I probably should post on here more, I have been tipping mine onto its back for some months (couple of years)... its the easiest way to get the stuff out of the bottom, shovel into a wheelbarrow and either dry out and use or stick back on the top... the other bit of advice is I would use the next to useless 'stirring' thing (the paint roller handle) to clear out the holes in the bottom of the bin. The diameter of the 'stick' is almost exactly the same size as the holes, so does a perfect job...Comment
-
Right?! I had that too! Although I will offer a word of caution, be careful when you right your Hotbin as mine nearly splint in two (top and bottom). I donβt think I have done any serious damage to it but if you can get some help righting it!Originally posted by SusiBiker View Post
Comment
-
Thanks for the warning.
I was worried about that too, which is why I used the sack barrow to give it some support.
I didn't know if it was welded or glued, but it looked like a weak point.
I also used the straps to keep firmly attached the barrow. Perfect. π
Sorry to hear you nearly had a plastic Meccano kit instead of a HotBin. π
Lucky escape.
Thanks again,
Susi.Comment
Comment