How to make and use Compost the Ultimate guide
All food waste composting, especially on this scale, needs some form of ‘in-vessel’, or sealed, container. It has to be vermin proof and as fly proof as possible, in-vessel systems also have, at least, some degree of control over airflow, leachate and temperature.
There are many different types: See the schools pages for pictures
Tumbling or rotating systems
E.g the Big Hanna, the Jora 270 Jora 400 and the Scotspin
Continuous throughput Systems
Generally have paddles inside which turn the material and gradually push it from one end of the composter to the other, (although the Big Hanna is a rotating drum which is also a continuous throughput system but without the paddles).
Eg the Rocket, the Big Hanna,the Jora 5100 and the Ridan
These systems are ideal for food waste as they mix and help to aerate the material. After quite a short period of time, even a day or two, the material changes in composition. It rapidly heats up and reaches temperatures in the mid to high 60’s (Celsius) it also changes visually from being full of colour (and is called ‘fruit salad’ in the business), to a more even brown colour.
Small tumblers
such as the Jora 270, the Jora 400 and the Scotspin are ideal for food waste because they are insulated, other tumblers will also work when the weather is warm.
If you tumble daily you can maintain high temperatures, especially if you keep feeding with fresh waste, sometimes it seems as though you can never fill the chamber, and of course you must leave some space or it will not tumble effectively. When you approach this stage, stop adding more fresh material but keep tumbling. The temperature will start to fall off after a while without fresh material being added.
In order to maximise the use of the tumbler it’s a good idea to move the contents into a maturation bay for the maturation stage of composting. The Scotty’s Hot Box is ideal for this as it has a large capacity and is a challenge for rodents to break into, but you could make a secure maturation bay out of, for instance concrete blocks on a solid base and make a secure lid, or use a New Zealand Box which was rat proofed with weld mesh.
I’ve found that rats are only likely to expend a lot of energy in breaking in if there is fresh food to be had – not after two weeks or so hot composting in an in vessel system.
Full details in Nicky Scott's book pub 2010 'How to make and use Compost - the Ultimate guide'
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