Tumbler method composting at home

There are many types of composting methods and if you want to start I can suggest an easy one.

A compost tumbler is a type of composting bin that allow households to more easily turn their compost piles. The compost barrel rotates on an axis, and is heated through trapped air. However, tumblers are not considered anaerobic because oxygen is introduced into the vessel as the individual spins the tumbler bin. This method of composting typically takes between 3-4 weeks to produce finished home compost.

Here are 6 easy steps
1. Have a tumbler
2. Decide on a ratio
3. Place the tumbler in a sunny spot.
4. Fill up the tumbler
5. Spin. Water. Fill.
6. Checkout if bin is with too much moisture, too little air flow, critters.

For more detailed steps checkout my reference at The Compost Group

Happy Composting!!!

Thanks for this post. I have four 4x4x4ft open-at-the-top-and-front cinderblock bins which work very well, but I'm looking at a tumbler JUST for kitchen waste. With the four large open compartments I already use, I have the luxury of time to consistently make nice, usable compost out of everything: humanure, yard waste, kitchen waste, dog hair, human hair, dead small animals I find, etcetera....  Depending on the season, weather, and activities it takes between 9 months to a year and a half to fill one, and so the others each sit for about three to four years doing their biochemical stuff before I empty that bin and use that compost.  BUT I am also maintaining a healthy rat population by including kitchen waste, and I want to stop helping those critters, as they of course expand to areas where they destroy our man-made stuff.

My question about the tumbler: How do you deal with the continual production of kitchen waste? (e.g., is there a "holding" bin waiting to tumble?) How long does it take to make compost, allowing you to start filling it again? Is it worth getting the two-compartment bins?   What are the pros and cons of the different sizes?

Thanks for your input!

One year for Christmas our daughter gave hubby a tumbler.

He only used grass clipping as he would not let me add veggie scrap or egg shells.

He made beautiful dark rich looking compost.

As an experiment, I tried growing directly in the compost and those plants were much better than the surrounding ones.

When we moved we left the tumbler for our daughter to use.

I’ve wanted to try the compost tumbler technique. I’m not sure how or if it would work in our cold winters. Any thoughts?