Adding an excellent quality compost in your garden can actually provide you with a slew of benefits. After all, composting is relatively easy, and it’s for this reason why a lot of gardeners do it in several ways.
In this article, we’ll talk about the best urban compost tumblers on the market. Whether you are a newbie gardener or a veteran, you can surely appreciate the convenience and efficiency given by such composters. Having this handy tool saves you a lot of time and effort. Say goodbye to the manual work and say hello to ease and convenience.
How to Choose the Right Compost Tumbler
Before we talk about the various compost tumblers on the market, let us first consider the things you should watch out for when shopping one. They’re as follows:
Your Method of Composting
The first thing you should consider is how you compost. This is really important as it can help you determine the design of your composter. For example, if you plan on adding materials on a regular basis, you would want to go for a dual-chamber version.
However, if you only choose a single chamber compost tumbler, you’ll have to open it to add new material every now and then.
Where You’ll Be Placing Your Composter
Another thing to consider is the location you plan to place your composter. If you plan to place yours in an area with a steep slope, then you should go for a compost tumbler that comes with a broad base.
Also, composters can easily attract pests such as rats and foxes. Therefore, you should make sure that it’s placed in an area where it can be kept shut. You’d also want to consider the weather condition in your area. If you leave in a hot climate, the composting process will be complete a lot faster.
On the other hand, if you live in a cold climate, you’re better off going for a composter with a black finish to help it absorb the sun’s rays and hasten the composting process.
Ease of Assembly
Compost tumblers will vary when it comes to their ease of assembly. Some composters on the market come in ready-made setups without any assembly required. However, some would require two persons to set up.
For this, you’d want to check customer reviews to find out if a composter’s instructions are easy to follow and how long it took them to assemble theirs.
Why Use a Compost Tumbler
Most people opt for compost tumblers because they’ve seen them from commercials promising quick and easy composting. Though it’s true as long as the optimal conditions are met, such conditions can be hard to come by. Therefore, why should you consider getting a compost tumbler instead of using other composters?
They Allow Easier Heat Management
The lack of heat can be a major problem for composting, especially during the winter season. Though a typical composter can provide some sort of insulation, compost tumblers can be transferred inside a shed during cold weathers, allowing it to function normally as it would during hot weathers.
Also, since they’re enclosed, they can heat up readily during hotter weather and even maintain such heat for a long time, effectively killing off any pathogens or weeds that might be present.
They Provide Protection from Animals
When composting, you’ll regularly see raccoons, deers, or any animals invade the compost pile in search for food. However, since compost tumblers are designed to be fully enclosed, you can keep your compost protected from such animals.
They Look Organized
Lastly, compost tumblers have the benefit of appearing well-organized. As opposed to the traditional compost pile, tumblers can be secured in a specific spot hidden out of plain sight. This can help keep your area clean without all those messy decomposing materials.
5 of the Best Urban Compost Tumblers
Envirocycle Mini Composting Tumbler Bin
This composting tumbler bin from Envirocycle is perhaps the most appealing compost tumbler on the market as of now. It comes in either black or pink and is capable of holding a maximum capacity of 17 or 35 US gallons. It generates both liquid and solid compost. It’s highly durable and highly innovative.
It’s made of durable, BPA, and rust-free materials, making it an excellent option if you’re looking for a compost tumbler to last for years. It’s compact enough to fit both rural and urban settings. Its design is also classic which makes it look good whatever your home design is.
Pros:
- Attractive design in black and pink colors
- Rust-free and UV-resistant material
- No assembly required
Cons:
- A bit too expensive compared to other products on this list
EJWOX Dual Rotating Compost Bin
Owing to its larger size, the EJWOX composter is capable of holding up to 43 gallons of composting material. It has a black chamber which makes it useful for absorbing heat from the sun. Thus dual chamber compost bin is ideal for continuous composting. Its aeration system mixes the compost and allows the required airflow. It also has great tumbler design that turns axis on for balanced and smooth rotation. Its easy slide doors are also a huge plus.
Moreover, the doors can close up tightly to prevent animals from accessing the contents. It’s also watertight, so you shouldn’t have to worry about water entering the composter and sogging up the contents.
Pros:
- Comes in a dual-chamber design
- Made of powder-coated steel frame
- Features an aeration system for a more efficient composting
Cons:
- Due to its extra capacity, it will be a lot heavier to transfer when full
HOTFROG Tumbling Composter
The Hot Frog composter by FCMP Outdoor is a dual body tumbling composter which comes in a round shape and tumbling design to make the entire process of adding scraps or removing compost a lot quicker and easier. It’s very easy to use which makes it perfect for beginners. It has 2 composter bodies which promote consistent flow of healthy and rich compost. Its aeration system is also excellent. Since this is a tumbling composter, the aeration level is far greater than the standard models.
It comes with a total capacity of 37 gallons for the two compartments. Also, since it’s made of BPA-free materials, there is no need to worry about chemicals leaching into your compost. Finally, it’s highly durable, so you can trust that it stands the test of time.
Pros:
- Easy to use thanks to its large openings and removable doors
- Made of BPA-free and UV-inhibited materials
- Comes in a tumbling design for easy mixing
Cons:
- Takes a while to fully assemble
Algreen Terra Tumbling Composter
The Algreen is one of the few compost tumblers that have an excellent capacity, a dual-chamber design, and durable construction at a moderate price tag. It comes with a sliding access door which allows you to add items and remove compost with ease. It has convenient grip handles, durable center axle, rodent-proof design, and more. It’s easy to assemble and can tackle 2 batches at once.
It can hold a maximum load of up to 56 gallons and comes with a center axle which allows you to tumble the compost in a quick and efficient manner.
Pros:
- Pretty large capacity of 56 gallons
- Comes with a sliding access door
Cons:
- Not as durable as the other compost tumblers on this list
YIMBY Tumbling Composter
Another excellent product from FCMP Outdoor, the YIMBY composter is a dual-chamber compost tumbler which comes with 8 sides. It features a huge removable door to allow quick access to the compost and adding materials with ease. No more manual digging and mixing of compost. This model gets the job done fast and easy. It has an excellent aeration system as well.
It can hold up to 37 gallons of materials and is very easy to use and assemble. Even beginners can figure it out outright. Also, its deep fins on the side make it easy to turn during the composting process. Its contact safe and won’t degrade when exposed to direct sunlight. Finally, its construction is durable, so it really is a worthwhile investment that lasts.
Pros:
- Easy to use even for beginners
- Quick access to the compost with its removable door
- Features excellent aeration with its aeration holes
Cons:
- Emptying its contents can be a bit complicated
FAQs
Which compost tumbler is the best?
If you're looking for the best compost tumbler, you'll want to consider the following factors: Size There's no such thing as a bad size for a compost tumbler. Smaller ones are more portable and easier to use . Larger ones have larger openings that let air get into the composting process.
You should be able to fill it with some compost material and have plenty of space left over. Material The material you choose will depend on how much compost you want to make. Wood has a natural ability to absorb moisture and rot, so it won't last long if you're using it to store compost. Plastic and metal are both durable, but plastic can easily break or crack when exposed to heat or moisture. Metal is also very heavy, which makes it difficult to move around. Cost Most compost tumblers are priced between $20 and $30, though there are some that cost as much as $300. You can usually find a good deal on one at your local hardware store.
Are compost tumblers worth it?
A compost tumbler is a good way to turn garden waste into compost. You place the material inside, cover it with a lid, and let it decompose for weeks or even months. Then, you scoop out the finished compost and use it. Tumblers work best if you're looking for a way to create compost that has a rich, earthy smell and a dark, brown color. Some people also like to add worms to their compost pile, but this isn't necessary
The basic principle behind a compost tumbler is that it has a series of compartments that allow for a slow, aerobic breakdown of the compost material. You place the compost in the container, cover it with a lid, and let the material decompose for weeks or even months. Then, you scoop the compost out and use it. How do they work? Compost tumblers don't actually rot the compost; instead, they let oxygen into the pile and encourage microbial activity. This process creates heat that speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. If you're looking for something to help you turn your garden waste into compost, then a compost tumbler is the best way to go. How do I know if my compost is ready? You should be able to smell the finished compost. It may not smell like roses, but it should have a pleasant earthy scent. You can also check the color of the compost by mixing it with some water. The water should run clear, and the compost should be a light brown color. You can also test the compost's pH level. If it's high enough (6.5 or lower), then the compost is ready to use. If it's too acidic, you can add some lime to neutralize it.
What is a good size compost tumbler?
There are lots of different sizes available, but if you're doing a lot of composting, I'd recommend getting a bigger one. The larger the container, the more air it will hold and the better your compost will turn out. For a large pile (100+ lbs), a larger container is ideal. If you're doing only small amounts at a time, smaller containers work just fine.
However,, you need a minimum of 4 cubic feet to be effective. Anything smaller will not have enough oxygen in the system to produce a good compost.
Conclusion
Of the products reviewed above, the best among the best would be the mini composting tumbler from Envirocycle. Its design makes it very easy to load and unload the contents. Aside from that, you can easily transport it with ease – you don’t even need a wheelbarrow or bucket to do that! When it comes to choosing compost tumblers, choose one that suits your needs and budget. It’s now easy to spot the best deals online. Just do your homework in looking for the right product for you.
Do you know of any other compost tumblers on the market? If so, please leave a comment below so we can check it out.
Josephine is an enthusiastic gardener who loves to spend her spare time tending to her garden. She is passionate about growing her own food, and aspires to one day have her own vegetable garden. Josephine is also an animal lover and often takes in stray cats and dogs. She enjoys spending time with her pets in the garden, and is often seen playing with them or watering her plants. Josephine is an avid reader and enjoys learning about new gardening techniques and plants. She is always looking for ways to improve her garden and make it more beautiful. She is a great friend, always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. Josephine‘s passion for gardening and love of animals make her a wonderful addition to any garden.
