Any tips for emptying the Hotbin?

[PSQ]

I've had my HB for 2 years and am very pleased with it - my wife would say "obsessed"! Emptying is the biggest problem and my technique has been to lay it on its side. However when I stood it back up this morning so the top half of the compost could drop down the bin split into 2 parts top to bottom! I think it's repairable with the right glue but I don't think it's designed to be moved regularly. To empty in future I'll have to leave it in situ and use one of the other creative solutions than have been suggested.

[Christopher Whitmey]

Thanks for the warning. Mine is at the back of the cold greenhouse (helps keep not so cold in winter black bin also warms up from sun) so can't trurn on side. I use method at https://forum.hotbincomposting.com/f...?p=187#post187 . The put a potting tray in front to pull it inot.

[Celtic Hedgewitch]

I have recently emptied my HotBin for the first time (really good mulching-type compost, VERY happy with that result) but I only dug out the middle, all the way to the back and left the very base layer and both sides in place. I expected the top layers to collapse into the base (it sort of started to collapse as I was emptying it, which is why I stopped when I did) but it hasn't, really. Short of trying sjmawson's impressive idea (which I would, if I wasn't only 5'2" and in my 60's), should I push the un-composted layers down from the top (as seems to me that would destroy the hot core)? I would be grateful for any advice.

[yorkshirepudding]

I emptied my hotbin the difficult way a few times before coming up with an idea. I didn't like the sound of it breaking when turning on side, and in its current position against a wall in between the bins, there is not really enough room to do it without manhandling it out.

I had tried to support with bits of timber, but found it very problematic to keep supporting while digging, I therefore emptied the whole thing out and built a frame (using some spare 2x2 and OSB board (9mm) for the sides) that would go in the bottom and provide support for pieces of plywood (9mm) slotted in above. I've now emptied it twice using this method and while it is not perfect, the positives are:

• I do get everything out easily from underneath without the top stuff falling down.
• Plenty of time to clean out the base-plate with hose if needed without having to empty it
• Less dry spots and less compaction than before
• less aeration challenges than before

The downsides as I see it are:

• Timber frame takes up space in the hotbin so fills up quicker
• The timber at the top of the frame provides support even once the ply is removed, so needs agitation to get the material to fall down
• This agitation results in some mixing of the top layers

I think if hotbin could create a slimline plastic accessory that does the same job, it would be brilliant and would substantially reduce the downsides of this approach. If anyone would like to copy, I've attached some photos.

[Hot_binfluencer]

I've had my HB for 2 years and am very pleased with it - my wife would say "obsessed"! Emptying is the biggest problem and my technique has been to lay it on its side. However when I stood it back up this morning so the top half of the compost could drop down the bin split into 2 parts top to bottom! I think it's repairable with the right glue but I don't think it's designed to be moved regularly. To empty in future I'll have to leave it in situ and use one of the other creative solutions than have been suggested.

I did exactly this today and I’m gutted that I didn’t read page two of this thread before plowing on! Hopefully it will still work. How did you get on with the glue?

[[email protected]]

I have just emptied mine into wheelbarrows and washed bin thoroughly, dried in sun and put back together and it took an hour or so. I am lady of 70 and not that strong. Used combination of fork, spade and raking tool to empty - and it was all useable which surprised me. Not as difficult to do as in the past and altho visible avocado stones and eggshell it all looks fairly well composted. No smell and ready to use on vege bed. Am really pleased as it never gets very hot.

[Omnibus]

I've taken a mixed approach. I remove what I can after 30 days but can't reach the stuff at the back.

I repeat after another 30 days.

Then after another 30 days I empty the bin completely, separating out the cold semi-finished compost and the active warm and hot compost. I remove the bottom tray and clean out the holes with hosewater, then rebuild the heap with the unfinished compost. Semi-finished compost goes in a standard 300l compost bin to finish off. I have yet to see th finished product!