compost tumbler

this video shows how I made a compost tumbler out of a plastic 55 gallon drum. The drum cost me $20 and the rest of the supplies coast around $25. All total I spent about $45.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• composter
• compost
• tumbler
• green
• living
• garden
• dirt
• gardener
• plastic
• drum
• 55
• gallon
• organic
• barrel
• home
• made
• soil
• mulch
• bins

[wkdemt1076]

Thanks for your video,it was very helpful. I'm just about done with mine, pretty much the same way you did yours, just need to cut out the door and attach the hardware. I do have a question for you though.....have you ever had a problem with Rats getting into the bin?

[kgeorgeson]

@wkdemt1076 I have not had any problems with rats.

[Dandymoments]

thank you so much. i have 40 acres and live in wisconsin i tried a pile and it doesnt work and i have been looking at my blue barrel for 2 years wondering how i could make it into a compost barrel and will now use your instructions. thanks again.

[kgeorgeson]

@Dandymoments your welcome :) don't forget about the air holes, as its not part of my instructions but I did go back and dill barrel. 

[arkansastrash320]

Did you not drill holes all around the barrell to allow air flow to help the compost to cook?Dose you composter make compost fast?I have heard it possible to make it in 2 weeks or so?

[kgeorgeson]

@arkansastrash320 Yes I did go back and put about 12 air holes in the Barrel evenly spaced in 2 rows using a 5/8" drill bit and it seemed to help it out. before that I was having trouble with the compost staying to wet..

I have heard of folks making compost in about 2 weeks. Mine seems to take a little longer but I have 2 of them going now so I keep them in a rotation and it works out well for me..

[DJMovit]

@TheMysteryGardener avoid barrels that had chemicals like diesel fuel. Food grade barrels are what you want. Check with restaurants, stores and such and you might be able to find them.

[hammercore360]

you could 1"x2"x24" wood, mount this on the side of barrell 12" and 12" sticking past the barrell to use as handle to rotate. nice vid

[email4timothy]

Thanks for the video..... don't think that I want to use the plastic / PVC / used metal drums though for caution of residual contaminates.

[bookjunky4life]

Easily one of the best how-to videos I have watched on building a compost tumbler out of this type of barrel! And I have watched my share of these types of videos!

[KingRyltar]

assuming you fill it up, and it is summer. ie temperature outside about 30c 80+F. How long will it take to finish the compost process?

That is compared to a normal pile of compost that gets forked or stirred regularly.

thanks



[wkdemt1076]

@kgeorgeson Thank-you, 

[arkansastrash320]

@kgeorgeson Well thats good to hear that the holes helped you !I am over half way in making my compost tumbler.Mine is made from a metal 55 gallon drum !I sure will be putting holes in mine also alot of holes only small ones so no compost falls through as i turn it.Thanks for your comment !!