Hotbin Composter Review (After 3 years )
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- čas přidán 8. 04. 2021
- In this Hotbin Review, I am going to answer any questions you may possibly have about it. Is it worth buying? Positives and negatives of having one, managing it.
After 3 years it is high time for a review. I hope you like it.
Please let me know if you have any more questions about your hotbin composter or any doubts about buying one.
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I've just watched all your Hot Bin Videos. I'm just about to set mine up for the second time having failed first time around. Thank you for all the detail and the honesty. Very helpful indeed. I also have two traditional cold composters which work fine, but I have too much waste for them. So the Hot Bin will solve that problem for me, hopefully. Greeting from South Wales.
The Hot Bin people should take on your information and pay you a commission in my opinion.
Kisses from Mrs! We really appreciate your comment. It is really satisfying that people are enjoying the videos. Even if you follow the guidelines the hotbin does not always work as you hope and it becomes quite a challenge at times to keep it up to temperature. This is why we thought it would be useful to share our knowledge. Good luck!
Thanks Beanie Composter, for all your time and effort you put into creating these video's. Like yourself, I've become a little obsessive with regards to maintaining the temperature in my hotbin. But I can think of worse things to be obsessive about ! I have a routine which I stick to religiously now which I find keeps my hotbin hot, and prevents it stalling, which as you well know, can be a problem.
I've had good months and bad months , so I'm no expert, but I've found a couple of golden rules to follow, if you dont mind me sharing them on here to help people have a better chance in producing the required temperature, and therefore good results.
1. The amount of grass you put in is critical. Its all too easy to chuck large amounts of grass in after mowing. It will also get up to temperature quite quickly, but over time, it tends to block the airflow and your bin will stall and go anaerobic. I find the best way to control this , is to mix your food waste, and paper/ wood chip etc firstly into a container, then add a small amount of grass to it, probably one part grass to 4 parts mixed food and paper would be acceptable. It should never be the larger part of your mix.
2. Dont add to your bin too often. I tend to add to my bin no sooner than every 3 days. This allows the mix you add to heat up and be infiltrated by mould . Any sooner and it doesnt give it enough time for the previous mixture to get hot. And dont stir your freshly added mix too vigourously with your old mix, as it tends to stop the heating process. Just stir it in gently, not disturbing the previous layer too much.
Happy hot composting everyone !
Hi Paul Thank you for taking the time to write so much. I am no expert either but if you find things that work then I feel it is nice to share with others. I have not tried your ways on number two so i may have to give this a go. As you know the hotbin say to add waste every other day which works for me. I am also a big stirrer so I may give your way a try and see how it works for me. I am currently struggling with the mini. This channel was always to create a community of hotbin lovers that can share their tips and tricks so thank you for giving some great advice as I know many on here are always looking for advice on what works. How do you find things when the weather gets colder? Thanks again.
@@BeanieComposter Thanks for the reply. With regards to the colder weather, I have currently come to the point where my hotbin has been working lovely for 3 months, but in the last few days has cooled quite alot. So I think I may empty my bin in the next couple of days as I think its come to that tipping point. It will be interesting if I can get it up to temperature again this time of year. I suppose patience will be the key, plus employing the kick start bottle and particular care in choosing my base layer. I tried using my top layer once as my new base layer and it never really warmed up, so its going to be a challenge in the next few weeks to get it going again, but I' ll keep this page updated. Thanks again for the work you put in to this page, its become a "go to" guide for many, including myself.
@@paullea7862 Yes the cold winter can certainly cause the temp to drop or can make it hard to get back up. Good luck with getting it hot again you seem to know what you are doing so your knowledge will be greatly received on here. With me starting the mini I have neglected the large one so also need to empty and get him back hot again. Two in the winter to keep hot that is a going to be a challenge. Good that the channel is helping and thanks for sending your comments.
Thank you Very Very much for all the effort in putting together and posting this video, so much great info from real experience.
I've been contemplating swapping over from traditional composting to a hot bin for a couple of year now, your content has helped me decide to go ahead and invest.
Hi, I hope that you have found the videos a help and that if you do go for a HB you will get as much pleasure from it as I do. Keep us informed of what you think of the HB when you get one.
that has been really helpful, thank you. I have been wondering about one of these for some time now. This has helped me know what to consider.
Hi Jane, nice to hear from you. I hope you are going to get the composting bin and stay tuned to our channel. I wouldn't be without mine but it does take more work then a normal composter. If you put the effort in you get the compost quick. Let us know what you decide 😊
Excellent video, Beanie Composter! So clear and helpful. I am just getting into composting, and your video was reassuring. By the way, the flowers in your garden are lovely.
Thank you so much.
Great review and great videos keep them coming.
Thank you, I will!!!
Enjoyed your video colder than Surrey where I am , got my bin today here goes , will av to keep watching to get to grips with it thanks
That's great that you've got one, keep watching the channel and hopefully it will help you with the set-up and the maintenance. Where about are you?
Thank you for such an informative video, I have been considering buying a hot composter for a while, I shall now go ahead after the information you have shared. It's a sub from me lol.
Thank you
Excellent review thank you
Thank you
Hi there just got the courage to have a look at the temp I’m now up to 50 so it seems giving it a stir up yesterday and adding more stuff sent it down but up now , it seems to be sinking down quick so will give it some more tomorrow . Going to give the lawn another cut so have more grass for next feed . Thank goodness for your videos it’s a great help thanks Oh half of what your putting in your composter as mine is the small one mixing it in a trugg first tipped it in then gave it a good stir as well may be all that messing with the lid open sent it down I’m happy it’s up to 50 now I’m so worried about getting next lot of stuff ready to feed the hungry hot bin haven’t time to try cooking your delicious food Jean x
That's a really good news! I was worried about you all night Jean! I'm sure with all the things in your garden you'll be able to find some waste 😁
Hi thanks for your answer to me , my problem is what to start it with what to put in the empty bin first mine is the small one but I’m alone so not much house waste but as everything in the garden just growing nearly all perennials you ask where I am , in the colder wetter part than you I’m on the edge off Pennines above oldham , my son is in Surrey love it down there always much warmer but I’m watching your videos , and now thinking need to buy a shredder for paper , my fingers don’t work to well so it will be a long job cutting things up for me 😂 not to good with the internet wish I could show u my garden started it at this house 10 year ago and now it’s full and love it best wishes I will keep watching and hopefully use my hot bin as good as you Jean
You are doing great with the Internet! Grass , comfrey, nettles, tops of dandelion but no roots, would be good for the start, any veg and fruit peelings and plenty of paper and bulking agent too. Cut the grass if you can. Put as much as you can to start it up. Good luck!
Advice noted thank you beanie family , haven’t time to dry it out completely as it’s so greedy wants feeding before drys out to much but will be aware now to bag it up if getting to dry I will watch it carefully thanks once again much appreciated Jean X
Hi Jean
You are welcome. Yes it does eat plenty and it keeps you on your toes.
You missed your way should av been a comedian with the Barbara Windsor comment 😂 you have a good sense of humour ha ha JeanX
Thank you Jean we all need a laugh at times.
Ha ha that’s a man thing with lawns , I am slowly making my borders larger and lawn smaller eventually will just have paths around the borders 😂wiped the smile of my face this evening fed it with a ratio like yours this morning and been had a look have lost all my heat only 25 so I’m sulking now might just go do some cooking instead !!!! Fingers crossed may come back tomorrow bet your little boy goes to school talking about the composter other children won’t have any idea 😂you all take care x
Leave it a couple of days and see what happens, how much waste did you put in? Seems strange that it went down so quickly. Don't worry about it I know how it feels, it isn't easy when you are just starting.
The little one sings a song about bulking agent 🤣🤣🤣
Hi, as promised, I am letting you know how I am doing with my new Mk 2 Hotbin. Fired it up four days ago following your advice. Fed it two days later. Opened it a few minutes ago and it is up to 55 degrees, steaming. Thank you for your helpful advice.
Well done keep it fed as it will turn into a demanding thing. Give it a good stir each time to ensure the air flow is good.
@@BeanieComposter Will do. To save time with chopping those kitchen peelings etc I’ve been popping them into my Thermomix for a few seconds. Works a dream.
@@helenneal2609 Wow that is one expensive way to chop up kitchen peelings.
@@BeanieComposter 😆
Ps we got that mini heat wave even up here in April happy composting from Saddleworth on edge of the Pennines
Also thank you both so much just seen that you were both wondering if all ok with me how kind of you both as you will see with my message , just about to set up a night shift , but if drying the waste a bit therefore not needing as much paper that will help me a lot as couldn’t find time to cut up all the cardboard plus muscle power gone down owing to the motor disease, but look out over the back gardens and still pleased to say mine looks nearly as good as Monty Donn,s 😂 no one else as good even though the lawn not how it should be . Xx
Hi Jean
Yes lots of cutting and that is not easy. Life is about looking after each other and enjoying the simple things in life just making sure you are fine. You need a shredder that can cut up cardboard . That would help.
Excellent video. Agree with everything you say. My only comment is, that with only two people in the house, we don’t generate an enormous volume of food waste, so keeping the bin at 40c+ isn’t easy and cooked / raw food waste is a no-no. Nevertheless the compost is good and enhances crop growth in our sandy soil. Being sandy the soil is free draining and the compost adds valuable bulk for water retention. I would add for first time users, don’t be discouraged a Hotbin takes a bit of getting used to, persevere - it’’s worth it. Up in the north west we were shivering in temperatures of 8 or 9c. Jardinier
Hello Keith, thank you for your comment. You could maybe ask friends and neighbours if they want to contribute and give you some of their food caddy waste or garden waste. Around Surrey there is currently lots of dandelions maybe you have them too, this way you could increase green waste and the temperature should go up. I believe that one food caddy a week of waste isn't enough so I understand what you are saying but keep watching, we could do a video about it for you 😉. Happy composting!
@@BeanieComposter In our second year of hotbin ownership and yes we are finding two caddies per week or more is about right for a 200 litre bin. Finding adding grass cuttings, shredded waste paper and bulking (wood chips) in the right ratio is key. Currently running for the last week at near 80 degrees, lower volumes of liquid leachate produced indicate the mix is getting better. We have a bit too much lawn and the bin fills up a little fast if we use all clippings so trying to get that right so we can get the compost bin on a longer time period between emptying. Thanks for the vid, very useful
@@chriskeller7381 Hi Chris
Seems like you have yours running really well and have got your mixture spot on. It should be going down quickly when running that hot. Maybe if you have the time cut the grass before it grows to long so you don't have so much grass to put into the bin.
@@BeanieComposter it goes down quickly when there's decomposition space available. What I mean by this is that for example at the moment the bottom section has 'mostly' decomposed material in there compacted down and leaving reduced space above for new material, This stuff has been while I've been getting the recipe right. I think the base needs another week or so before I remove a load at which point I think the whole contents remaining will decompose faster on average than previously due to the higher temperatures I'm seeing. Don't' want to unload the base too early though. Base material is itself hot (so still composting I think) and I only unloaded 4 weeks ago so would like to give it a bit longer.
Your vid statement is correct by the way "Prepare to become obsessive"
;)
@@chriskeller7381 Hi Chris
It can become obsessive. Normally when i empty it it creates quick a bit of space and when it is at a good temperature i find that if you are adding the maximum amount of waste each week you should have a constant flow of filling and emptying before it over fills. I am to do a 30 day video soon so we will see how that is. I would leave it longer too.
Morning, can you tell me what is the best thing to do with the leachate at this time of the year when most plants are becoming dormant. Love your videos. Anne.
Hi Anne. I am not sure how long it would store so all I can say is as you are almost producing in it constantly rather than waste it I would just still water it onto pots and the garden as the nutrients that are there are not wasted. They will be absorbed into the soil which will hopefully enhance the soil for spring when things start growing again. I hope this helps as it seems silly to waste it. I pour mine neat on the garden around larger trees, shrubs as they always seem to get missed during the summer.
Really good video.
Thank you for your kind words.
Hey you know a good tip for any things like nettles comfreyor any soft leaf plants tip them on your lawn an run over them with the lawn mower ,all ready chopped up for you 👍
That's a good tip! But I hate people putting stuff on my lawn 🤣🤪
Keep the temperature up 🤞
Hi sat morning your right went around the garden for couple of hours and had a big plastic trugg full plus 2 builders buckets and in another couple of weeks will have lots as spring stuff going over and summer stuff getting going my grass very poor as I inherited a garden that gets run off from the gardens higher up the hill and it keeps the lawn to wet that causes moss an weeds no amount of scarifying helps so unless I had it all dug up and somehow had drains put under and soil an relaid lawn just have to put up with it I do get 2 builders buckets of grass on a cut even though the grass sparse . But hope trimmings from borders will keep it happy collected my leachate it has the similar screw of top , at the base so happy with that as av tomatoes strawberry’s , an blueberry only one blueberry bush and a lage bag growing Charlotte potatoes , AND A PARTRIDGE IN A A PEAR TREE 😂if ur slugs are the great big ones they only eat the dead stuff ect dea bits of ur flowers only I never knew that was reading about them there are a few that don’t eat any of ur good stuff only dead stuff . I have couple of small tubs of water under a mahonia tree as I see have quite a few frogs large an small and they like the small slugs that like your plants so I’m very happy to have them . I could just eat a bit off that cake with a nice cup of milky coffee , if the filming director is making something nice 👍 x
Hi Jean, thank you for the tips about the slugs. It sounds like you have a lot of work up there, should be plenty of stuff for the hotbin. How hot is your hotbin? So much easier to collect leachate when you have the screw. Good for the plants too.
Hi thanks for all your videos. You’ve got a lot of paper? Are you anti the plinth they’re now selling?
Hi Sarah
Yes Mrs B works in a school so plenty of shredded paper although with the weather we are having here I do not need to add that much. I am not anti anything with the hotbin. The plinth for me seems a lot of money for what I would get out of it. I am happy with mine being on the floor and I guess it is not that you are draining leachate 24/7 so I don't see that it has value for me. I am sure there are many that it is a great addition to their hotbin. Is it something you have or would want?
Dear BC - thank you so much for your reply. Can I ask you another? I can’t decide between a 200litre or the mini. If I get a 200litre and don’t manage to keep up with feeding it will it still heat up? And another? I saw someone inundated with massive amount of worms - has this ever happened to you? Thank you again for great info.
@@sarah10001 Hi Sarah.
I have always had worms in my hotbins. For me this is not an issue as they are simply adding to the composting process. They tend to stay at the bottom where it is wet but if the bin goes cold then heats up you can sometimes find them trying to escape out the top as I have shown in worms in your hotbin video.
With both the mini and 200 litre you need enough waste to reach the top of the door hatch to get things hot. This can be over time a slow start up or added in one go a quick start up. I would say you need to be feeding a couple of times a week to keep things hot. Every winter I have had it go cold even with plenty of feeding so as I said if you are committed you can always beg steal and borrow waste from friends family and the countryside. If you can't decide then how many garden buckets do you think you would have of waste a week? If more than one then go for the large one. Let us know if that make sense.
Hello thanks for making a great video
Can I please check the mixture of stuff to go inside the hot bin?
Is it grass or leaves or twigs ?
Then paper or cardboard
Then Food leftover
and wood chipping as bulk agent ?
Hi Raj
Yes normally i use a 5 litre food caddy full of garden waste/grass /leaves /veg or fruit trimmings . half again of paper or cardboard torn/shredded and a couple of handfuls of bulking agent such as wood chips . Mix together and add. Hope this helps you out. Thanks for watching.
Hiya you guys forgot how much work I have in the garden , now the composter to look after talk about taking it a bit slower once getting older that’s a joke ! My garden is going crazy just now needs lots of care some things needing the Chelsea chop so they will flower again this year . But Hot bin ticking over between forty sixty as you have said but so much stuff cuttings ect , bags of back up stuff awaiting chopping up, but did av a lot of leachate so decided cause haven’t a lot of paper but av adjusted that one way was going to ask what you thought I have a four shelf plastic greenhouse by the hotbin and what I have done is on two large plastic plant trays as I cut up my garden waste have put it into them on the shelves to let it dry a bit so not as wet when do my feeding mix and now the leachate not filling up as much talk about cooking even eating and sleeping haven’t got time for just now very busy with house garden and car dirty every time I look at it I’m in turmoil which to do first. 😂😂 just thinking about a night shift do you think ok drying cuttings a bit ok as a loft of soft leafed waste and that tends to be quite wet hope all going well for all the other hotbin fanatics and you and the boss and second in command back at school and ok it’s very hot was hoping for rain coming up from the south and did not water last night on the hope for rain was up dureing the night didn’t have enough to wet the patio dam it. Love to all keep going !x
Hi Jean
You do need some moisture in the mix for the bacteria. I would not dry it out to the point where it is all bone dry. This time of year you would not need as much paper as the winter. It sounds like all is going well with the hotbin if it gets too wet then starts smelling then put more paper but if you are finding that it is working then just carry on composting. That sounds like a film for Sid James and Barbra Windsor. Keep it up Jean you are doing an amazing job.
Great video! May I ask if your Hotbin attract foxes at nighttime please? Thank you
Hi Jayla
We have foxes around where we live in fact they have just had cubs so we have quite a few on the street. I can say that I have never seen foxes going to the hotbin or signs that they have tried to chew it. I am not there through the night and I am sure they come in the garden but I do not feel that the hotbin is attracting them . I put food waste cooked and raw but I also ensure it is hot composting before hand.
I could not guarantee that they will not be attracted but for me it does not seem to be a problem. Famous last words.
Hope this helps you out and maybe some others on here can comment on their experiences.
Hi there hope all going well for you , I am rocking and rolling steaming and 65 but it has been very hot here as every where I think been feeding it every other day , mixing it all together then putting it in and doing the stirring job not easy when u got to hold the stirrer with both hands anyway going well putting a bit extra in it so just above the hatch . What I want to ask if I’m stirring it up every time I feed how does the stuff at the bottom turn to compost if I’m mixing fresh stuff into it . I had it up over the hatch by approx 7/8 inches but 2 days an it’s down again to hatch or below makes u wonder where it’s all going it’s a very hungry mini bin also have a quarter of an old tomatoe feed bottle of leachate soon have that full so be saving money for feed for the tomatoes all good . And I saw today a lot of ants scurrying around near the hotbin Oh no hope I’m not going to have a nest in there or will be sorting it with a second hand a. Astronauts suit and have my pond gloves now full length . My son when keep telling him about the bin is convinced I have lost the plot actually I think he might be right 😂 hope all our gang of hot bin composters all doing ok it does get to u . Ps hope u soon reach 200 subscribers X
Hi Jean, great to hear you are doing so well. 😊 you don't need to stir right to the bottom, just the top layer if it's working well. It is amazing how it is shrinking and decomposing to make solid compost isn't it?
Hi there had to just tell you opened the lid for a quick look made the mistake poke my head over the heat hit me amazing it was up to over 55 so closed it really quick but I think it’s maybe because it’s been very hot weather last couple of days but really excited an know one to tell so had to let u know so going to star adding some more into it been sat cutting card board in to tiny bits nearly sent me insane as my fingers not much strength what a sodd have a bit of everything ready for tomorrow as you do I am mixing it first to try save me a bit of mixing in the composter any way getting steam up . Have my tomatoes near the bin so will be able to use the liquid feed for them watered down of coarse bye for now we are expecting some rain overnight which be good save me watering but might send my temp down BUGGER 😂 bye to you two good luck with everything your doing JeanX
Well done Jean 55 is incredible 👏 Once the temperature is up keep feeding it every other day with half a caddy of waste, and every time you open the hatch smile to yourself 😁
Hi beanie tiz me again I think I have a problem emptying it is still very moist and not broken down inspite or 60 + temp gauge .Itseams the heat is more near the top end of composter given good stirrings on regular basis it's now full to the top temp still on green or even goes past it steaming well when lid opened any ideas or advice cheers
Hi Roger. The heat will always be hotter towards the top but it is great that you have had good temperatures. Do you think you are adding enough paper/cardboard. That could help with the moisture although the compost at this time of the year will never be dry so I would not worry about that too much. Are you chopping things up enough as that will help everything break down quicker. Also how long has the waste been in there I know you say it is full but you could be adding too much waste and not leaving it long enough to break down if you understand what I mean.
I cut up quite a bit of paper and cardboard any medicine boxes I strip off the shiny outer cover and any paper packing tha comes in boxes that have been ordered any cereal boxes so that amounts to about a 1/4 of a plastic carrier bag I've tried all kinds of combinations of materials what I need is the correct amounts of materials thanks for responding to my problem I have 3 compost bags full of wet compost from emptying the composter I will get another in a couple of months. Thanks again
Hi Beanie, can I ask where do you get all your paper from?
Hi Leigh I guess both of us work in places where we are able to get paper from. Mrs B works in a school and they shred the paper which is great.
We do get some at home but tend to throw that. We eat lots of eggs and I always use the boxes from that then there is deliveries in cardboard.
If you are struggling just ask in a school/ Office friends neighbours.
Hi mate. How about squirrel? Do they chew the polysterene for them to get inside?
Fortunately we do not have any squirrels in the garden so I have not had any experience with them. I have seen some second hand ones that have been chewed but I do not know if that is from squirrels. I think if you keep things tidy and only add cooked raw food when the HB is hot then you should not attract them but I cannot guarantee that.
@@BeanieComposter I see. One more question. Can you wrap your HB with gorilla tape for additional insulation and protection?
@@onebicycle3772 hi you could but you shouldn’t need to. One thing you cannot do is block the airflow so the top and bottom vents must be clear. Other than that you can put what you like on it. It is designed for the insulation to be enough for the HB to work without any extras being added.
@@BeanieComposter Thank you. I think I will buy HB this end of Feb
@@BeanieComposter Hi. How about when there is heavy rain? Does water gets inside the HB?
I had wasps biting through the side of mine.
I have never heard of that. How did you get rid of them?