Anyone make a DIY hot composter?

Turbulent Bill

Toying with the idea of making my own hot composter. My current plastic Dalek is good but a bit slow, and the likes of a Hotbin look insanely expensive for what it is. Adding external insulation to the Dalek is messy, so looking to start from scratch with:

Some kind of durable internal layer next to the compost (wood? plastic?)
A semi-decent looking external surface (maybe wood slats)
Insulation in the cavity
Top hatch and door
Air vent?

Would prefer an open base to let the worms in and compost goo out.

Anyone done this before?

SouthWesterly

Planning on making a rotating one with blue plastic drums

blackbox

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Toying with the idea of making my own hot composter.

Would prefer an open base to let the worms in and compost goo out.

Anyone done this before?

I didn't think that worms would survive in a hot composter.

Turbulent Bill

blackbox wrote: »

I didn't think that worms would survive in a hot composter.

You might be right, but I'd still like to give them access. They can burrow through any bits that have cooled down.

I regurgitate the news

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Toying with the idea of making my own hot composter. My current plastic Dalek is good but a bit slow, and the likes of a Hotbin look insanely expensive for what it is. Adding external insulation to the Dalek is messy, so looking to start from scratch with:

Some kind of durable internal layer next to the compost (wood? plastic?)
A semi-decent looking external surface (maybe wood slats)
Insulation in the cavity
Top hatch and door
Air vent?

Would prefer an open base to let the worms in and compost goo out.

Anyone done this before?

I was looking into this myself too. Have you got any further. I bought a hot composter last year and they are pretty good but pricey.

It is amazing how quickly the food scraps diminish in size

Donalde

Maybe an old chest freezer?

robebocc

That’s a good idea. Wish I had thought of it before I threw one out recently. It could easily be adapted.

randomguy

I have a standard plastic dalek one, and I did wonder if you could just add an immersion lagging jacket to one to increase/insulate the heat?

Turbulent Bill

randomguy wrote: »

I have a standard plastic dalek one, and I did wonder if you could just add an immersion lagging jacket to one to increase/insulate the heat?

Was thinking about that, but I don't think lagging jackets are waterproof. It would get sodden in the rain and loose efficiency. Might work though if I can stick a plastic rain cover over it.

The Dalek might end up with better weatherproofing than the gardener!

I regurgitate the news

randomguy wrote: »

I have a standard plastic dalek one, and I did wonder if you could just add an immersion lagging jacket to one to increase/insulate the heat?

Coffee grounds will heat it up. If you speak to someone in a local petrol station they should be happy to give you them.

Turbulent Bill

I'm giving this stuff a go:

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/ybs-thermawrap-general-purpose-insulation-10-x-1-05m/9691p

It's flexible enough to wrap around the bin, is waterproof and looks reasonably insulating. Have made a basic 2-part cover (a fixed bit around the walls, and a removable cap piece), but will probably tweak it over time.

gerardmshort

GO TO YOU TUBE
NIALLS GARDEN HE SHOWS HOW TO MAKE ONE

Turbulent Bill

Two and a bit years on, the insulation still seems to be doing the trick. The bin looks even more Dalek-like because of the silver insulation, but the unscientific feedback is that composting is quicker.