Has anyone built their own composter?

[MomToTwoBoys]

I told DH I wanted one and he was like, "Well, can't we build one with canvas and wood?".

Good question!

I was thinking of maybe a 6x6x4 vinyl box with the canvas being wrapped around the wood and stapled to each wood piece. It'd be situated on level ground behind the house right next to the steps, so I really wouldn't need a wood decking beneath it. We'd use carriage bolts at the corners and silicone on the vinyl material where the bolt would come into contact with it (to prevent moisture from seeping into or out of the composter). We'd then make a lid large enough to cover the top and give it a nice seal to prevent moisture from escaping too much.

Does this sound feasible?

[savvy_sniper]

A composter can be as simple or as complex as you like. You can google composter and find all sorts of homemade and store bought composters.

I have had a compost pile for over 20 years (several locations). Mine is simply a pile in a corner of the back yard. I simply pull back the top layer with a rake, shovel, etc. add stuff and cover back up. We mix it up occasionally, add a little water when it is hot and dry, etc.

There is the very scientific way to compost (ideal conditions allows for faster decomposition) and there is the throw in a pile and let it be way (works slower but you get the same results).

[MomToTwoBoys]

Funny enough, DH and I are both geeky enough to want to build something that allows for better composting.

[madhen]

I don't think you want too tight of a seal. Composting requires aerobic action to work. I am also a throw-it-in-a-pile type composter, although I do have one of those fancy black boxes that I never use. My closest version of a homemade composter was when I had a Rubbermaid tub that got a hole in the bottom, and I moved it out to the foot of the outside stairs. I dump kitchen waste in the top, and compost comes out the hole in the bottom.

[suki]

I'd skip the canvas and not worry about sealing it up. You need air and moisture for everything to work. My compost tumbler is ventilated. Our other compost areas are simple pens made of posts direct to the ground. We simply pile compost out there and turn it with a pitchfork on occasion. For fast processing we place these piles in the tumbler... but we were 10 years composting without a tumbler and the piles are adequate. No reason to get too fancy... it's a simple process of decomposition, let Mother Nature do the work and the little microorganisms will give you great soil!

[MomToTwoBoys]

I don't think you want too tight of a seal. Composting requires aerobic action to work. I am also a throw-it-in-a-pile type composter, although I do have one of those fancy black boxes that I never use. My closest version of a homemade composter was when I had a Rubbermaid tub that got a hole in the bottom, and I moved it out to the foot of the outside stairs. I dump kitchen waste in the top, and compost comes out the hole in the bottom.

I actually stumbled upon a Rubbermaid container with the top on it, holes drilled in the sides and slits on the bottom to allow air circulation this morning. I'm thinking that might be really good for us and won't cost too much.

Would you still need to turn it over after putting the food waste in there and get the worms to help break it all down faster if you do it in the Rubbermaid container?

[HomeschoolMom]

Here's 2 easy ways to make homemade composters.

1) Get an inexpensive plastic garbage can. Cut the bottom off of it with a hot utility knife. Drill holes in the sides for aeration. Work it into the ground a little and put the lid on top. Voila!

2) We got a metal 45 gallon barrel (drum) for free (food grade) and dh made a stand for it. It sits in a cradle and he cut a door in the side and hinged it and put a little lock on it (like in a bathroom stall). Now we can throw the compostables in and rotate it to help it get going quicker.

This might be a little tougher to do but dh already had the tools and scrap wood so other than the little lock it was free.