Best Compost Bins
- Capacity20L
Poor lid design - made of poor quality plastic - keeps splitting – Bought it after reading so many positive reviews but I'm at my wits end with it. I've had to replace the lid 2 times now (and just about ready to buy… Read more
a third) because it splits in the same place, the corner with the tab for openining it. Yes, its only $10-$15 to replace, but thats more plastic that ends up in landfill, and you need to factor at least one to two replacement lids a year into the total cost. We find it really hard to get on and off which discourages my housemates from using it. Eventually the split it gets to the point where oxygen and fruit flies are getting into the unit which defeats the whole point of indoor composting. If only they had a better lid system with a seal that is easier to open and close it would be an ideal product.
Maze 245L 2 Compartment Compost Tumbler
- Price (RRP) $269
- Capacity245L
- See all
I recently purchased a Maze Tumbler Compost Bin and took it back for refund. Doesn't make good compost in a short period of time, you can't open the… Read more
sliding door nearest the handle, to put compost in, you have to rotate the drum a few times. To assemble it can be very challenging, had use another person to help. It very expensive, don't buy it, you have been warned. It's a lemon in my opinion
Maze 180L Geared Twin Tumbler
- Price (RRP) $199
- Capacity180L
- See all
I'm completely editing the review below. I had not contacted Maze products and wish I had before struggling with the tumbler. A very simple remedy… Read more
has fixed the cog issue and it is now turning effortlessly. Am now waiting on advice to address the issue of hard balls of compost. Thank you Ronen.
I've had the 180L, 2 bin Maze compost for a year. The rain and/or sprinklers wet the material inside making it heavy. The 'compost' become very hard balls which have to be soaked to make it usable. Then the cog keeps coming away from the barrel so every full rotation means I have to push it back before the barrel comes off completely so then I'm reluctant to keep turning because it's an issue (I'm 75 so it's not an easy thing to keep pushing it back in place). Screws are starting to rust. I'll be looking for something else. $169 is a lot of money.
Urban Composter
- Price (RRP) $75
- Capacity15L
Awful – Awful, don't waste your money. The accelerator doesn't do anything, your compost will just go mouldy despite dollowing instructions (cutting up food… Read more
scraps into smaller pieces, layering scraps and spray etc.). IF you do manage to get juice from it, the tap will leak so you won't be able to use it anyway despite doing a leak check first (which passed the test, so I don't understand why it would suddenly leak). Please do not bother. I wish i read more reviews first before purchasing. The lid is also very flimsy, it broke after trying to put it back on the first time I cleaned it and had to buy a replacement lid.
Tumbleweed Worm Cafe
- Price (RRP) $99.95
- Capacity77L
Great worm farm & customer support – Set up of the worm farm is easy, the worms don’t escape & are thriving. But the customer service is second to none! I asked questions & got almost… Read more
immediate detailed responses. I now know how to much better run my worm farm for better productivity. They ramped up my learning curve and drastically improved my know-how and ability to boost the worm casting output and increase the worm population & the worms’ quality of life as well. What an amazing experience!
Maze Bokashi Indoor Composter
- Price (RRP) $89 to $99
- Capacity12L, 14L and 18L
- See all
I bought two some weeks apart 12 months ago. The tap on the first one started dripping on the garage floor, so I put it outside, tipped it up,… Read more
unscrewed the tap, then bound the thread with white plumbers tape. It didn't leak again. I put the same white plumbers tap on the second one before screwing in the tap and it hasn't leaked at all. I was careless in draining the first one, eventually leaving it for far too long over winter. When I finally opened it, it was crawling with tiny maggots and the smell nearly made me throw up. Now I'm making sure to drain them every four days and so far no further issues, but the veggie and fruit scraps never seem to entirely break down. I've been putting what's left in the bottom of those wheelie beds from Bunnings. Hopefully they'll break down further in the soil.
Maze 160L Roto Twin Tumbler
- Price (RRP) $179
- Capacity160L
The legs are too flimsy. The whole point of two compartments is that you fill one and then the other. But with one side partially full, the whole set… Read more
up starts to twist and if you don't keep trying to pull it back into line, eventually the ratchet jams and it won't turn.
Joraform Big Pig 270L Rotational Composter
- Capacity270L
- See all
Insulation panels are a weak point as they are prone to shrinkage – I have both the Little Pig and Big Pig models and have monitored the temperature to try and avoid overheating. Occasional surges to 68'C resulted in… Read more
insulation shrinkage. Vitality replaced 4 panels on the Little pig and I am going to to a makeshift fix on the Big Pig. And yes, the panels have a lot of surface rust in the areas that remain wetter- within 2 years. I have treated the rust and repainted and will nurse the Pigs along as the convenience of rodent free composting that handles meat and fat is too good to lose. Just a pity the composite used in the insulation panels is not up to the job being too sensitive to temperature surges.
Easy Composter Bins
Fantastic product and service. Beautifully designed and Australian made, all metal, and high quality. It's adding massive value to our garden. Show details
- Capacity125L
- See all
It uses self-tapping screws to assemble the parts together, and some of the screws would not get a grip in their holes. I had to augment the… Read more
assembly with my own screws and bolts, or else it would not have held together. It began to rust seriously after 2 years. I expected it to fall apart many times and it will fall apart soon. It takes ages to compost everything - seriously! Don't believe the company's hype. DO NOT waste your money on this 'composter' as it is very badly engineered, it is not even rust-resistant, and it takes ages to compost everything.
Tumbleweed 220L Compost Tumbler
- Price (RRP) $209
- Capacity220L
Having a fight with the compost-tumbler – I have had the Tumbleweed 220L compost tumbler for a few months. It makes great compost, if u can actually turn it! It is only one third full, but is… Read more
so heavy and unwieldy to turn that I need another person to help. Older folks could do themselves an injury when attempting to turn it! Not user-friendly at all. Could benefit from a few grab-handles to make turning easier. Would not recommend this product until the function has been streamlined.
Maze Worm Farm
In to gardening? Buy this ASAP – I have owned the Maze Worm Farm for approximately 10 months now, and not my first attempt at trying to keep the little wigglers alive. … Read more
Unfortunately, in north Queensland, the summers are not kind to worms that are out in the hot sun in a black poly box, or flooding yards if you have the bury type of farm.
I bought this as a final straw in trying to keep worms alive, and since the physical size is quite small, I had a spot inside my house that it fits perfectly. I was a bit worried about potential smell, but I can tell you they smell at worst, like dirt. Honestly, unless I told you about them you wouldn't know they were even here. I did purchase the slightly optioned up unit with the plastic legs and a worm 'tea' collection jug. Before I started using this, I silicon glued a 1/2 threaded elbow to the drain hole, then after that dried, put on a small piece of tube with another elbow so I could direct the tea into the jug with no room for drip spillage. This also helps when taking the jug away, by twisting the 2nd elbow upwards stops any potential drips for a while.
I use the worm tea in all of my indoor plants and hydroponic seedling trays. The seedlings grow very fast, under a $75, 25W Bunnings purchased grow light. I strike all my seedlings indoors under this light, and then migrate to the garden beds when they are ready.
I just invested in another working two trays to give my massive worm collection some more room to move, my goodness they breed fast! Once they move 'upstairs', I'll empty the bottom tray into the back gardens and put it on the top level.
Absolutely love the amount of scraps these little critters take care of and recommend anyone interested in reducing kitchen waste to get one of these and a small packet of worms. I started with 500 live worms, and they are now massive, and easily 4 times the quantity. With a family of 5, including 3 teenagers, the worms have had no problem keeping up with our household demands. One day, I'll weigh the amount of chow we feed them and tally it up for the week.
Things I have given my worms to eat: * Coffee grounds (daily) * Tea bag contents (just the leaves) * Carrot peels and ends * Potato peels * Celery leaves * Beetroot leaves and root tips * Herb offcuts * Bean tops * Pumpkin skins and seeds. (The seeds that shoot, I plant in the gardens!) * Strawberry tops * Tomato scraps * Lettuce leaves * Spinach leaves * Corn husks * Toilet roll * Bread slices * Shredded paper (not a lot) * Some cardboard packaging, torn in to small strips. * A few teaspoons of dolomite every fortnight.
Basically anything in the kitchen that has gone over ripe, except for: onion, citrus, garlic, meat, fish, dairy. Read the instructions, laminate if you must and keep it nearby.
Chef'n EcoCrock
This is useful for years! – I did a review years ago on this ceramic kitchen scrap bin and was so long ago it has gone off the list! However it is still available. Mine must be… Read more
into about 6 years now and the ceramic outer hasn't chipped - looks like new. The inner green plastic bin is still there, though a bit stained now, but no cracks etc I use it daily and change filter about 6 monthly. Can highly recommend for kitchen bench-top. Lasting well.
Maze 55L Composting Cart
- Price (RRP) $129
- Capacity55L
Useful garden appliance – We bought this cart from Maze to go with their two-compartment compost tumbler. It is designed to sit under the tumbler and is therefore… Read more
out-of-the-way. It is useful but has one major problem. The wheels are held onto the axle by caps. These have to be hammered on during assembly. In our case one fell off and was lost in the grass. The spare was difficult to position and was damaged and rendered useless. I have ordered spares. This method of fixing the wheels seems really flimsy and unlikely to stand up to hard work in the yard.
Maze Dual 200lt Compost Tumbler
- Price (RRP) $229
- Capacity200L
Good size, poor design details – I bought this specifically because I wanted what the title suggested - Dual compost tumblers. I wanted them to spin individually - check I wanted… Read more
them off the ground to avoid rodents - check
I wanted them to be long and narrow - check
but this is where it stops being as good as I imagined...
The lid is held on by a thin strap that detaches ridiculously easily, so the weight of the compost pops it off, voila - stinky compost all over the ground. In addition to this, it has some lip internally that i presume is supposed to help keep the lid on, but instead its just a little too tight to comfortably pull off with your hands - i need a lever, and obviously not strong enough to keep compost in.
There are NO aeration holes? strange in a tumbler.
Now that I've spent nearly $200 on this item, and it is sadly just the right size for my small courtyard, I will keep it, but I have had to add 2 stainless steel latches to either side of the lid, with a carabeena to keep it in place while I spin it. Plus a sturdy handle on the top of the lid so I can actually lift it off.
Next step is to drill tiny aeration holes around the base and the top...
Sigh... I feel like Maze did not even vaguely consider what a composter would need?!
Joraform Restauranteur Rotating Composter 400L
- Price (RRP) $2,475
- Capacity400L
Bokashi One Bench Bin
- Price (RRP) $24.95
- Capacity4L
Maze Compost Caddy
- Price (RRP) $29.95 to $35
- Capacity7L and 9L
Poor design – Lid does not seal, allowing fruit flies to lay eggs, creating maggots to escape onto kitchen bench. Cary handle is very flimsy. Show details
Hi, please note this is a bin to hold your waste for a day… Read more (+2 replies)
Maze 450L Eco Master Compost Bin
- Capacity450L
Terrible quality of products and customer service – Have just received the Eco-Master from Maze directly. It came first of all packaged up in a 600l compost bin package and some make-shift packaging… Read more
(see picture). Then I opened it and it was damaged (see picture), didn't bother establishing the compost bin. So these guys are really not into trying to sell decent products. And then there is no contact number on their website. Just terrible again for a company established in Australia. I just don't understand why they think they will get away with such a bad service. Just wasting good money on a bad item.
Should I compost?
Some of the benefits of home composting include:
- It provides nutrience to your home’s soil. Adding compost to the plants, gardens, and yards around your home enriches them and enables them to better retain moisture and keep diseases at bay.
- It can replace chemical fertilisers. Adding your compost to your garden can eliminate the need to use chemical fertiliser - that’s one less thing to keep buying.
- It’s beneficial to the environment. It cuts down methane emissions, reduces your personal contribution to landfill, and lowers your carbon footprint.
- It’s versatile. You can get composters to suit all kinds of homes and living situations. Different bins suit different environments, so you can have it outside, in your garage, or even in your kitchen.
Types of composters
Outdoor stationary composters
A stationary composter is what most people are familiar with when they think of compost bins. They’re bins that you add food waste and compostable materials to, and they generally have a lid that prevents pests from getting inside. After a certain amount of time, the waste turns into soil which you can then remove to use as fertiliser.
Compost tumblers · See All
A tumbler compost bin is a rotating compost bin that you spin by cranking a lever. These composters have one or more chambers that you fill and then close off until the batch has matured. You can then use this “cooked” compost in your garden.
Worm composters · See All
A worm composting bin, or vermicomposter, has several layers, and worms inside the composter eat their way up the food scraps. This means that your compost, ready for use, ends up in the bottom layer.
Bokashi · See All
Developed in Japan, the bokashi system involves anaerobically fermenting food waste. While it isn’t technically composting, it still produces a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used in your garden. A Bokashi bucket can be placed under your sink or on a benchtop.
Benchtop compost bins · See All
A benchtop compost bin is a stationary composter that can be placed on your kitchen counter or a similar surface.
What to consider when choosing a composter
Size and capacity
You should already have a spot for your composter in mind before you buy to ensure that it’ll properly fit, whether you plan on having it in your yard, balcony, or indoors.
The larger the composter, the more expensive it will be and the harder it will be to move. However, you’ll have a higher capacity that allows you to make compost, so if you generally have plenty of food scraps and a large garden, then you may want to opt for a bigger size.
For a tumbling composter, somewhere between a 150 to 300L capacity is a good starting point, but you might want to size up (or buy multiple composters) if you have a larger garden. Those with a smaller garden may find that a worm farm (which typically has a 70 to 100L capacity) will suffice. Bokashi bins often have a capacity of between 12 and 20L.
Ease of use
There are a number of factors that will affect how easy a compost bin is to use. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How often do I have to mix the compost, if I have to mix it? And how difficult is this to do? Tumblers typically have a lever that’s used to mix compost, while stationary compost bins are often more difficult to stir. You don’t need to mix compost in a worm farm or Bokashi bin.
- How easy is it to empty? Compost tumblers often let you rotate the opening to face the ground, so you can dump compost straight into a separate bucket, ready for use.
- How much will it weigh when it’s filled?
Consider how easy it is to assemble too
Assembling a composter is a once-off issue, but should still be considered. Benchtop and stationary bins rarely need much assembly, but tumbling composters may be a bit more fiddly. Reading reviews on a composter can help you determine whether or not you’ll be able to put it together quickly and start composting right away.
Materials
The material of your compost bin should be lightweight, durable, simple to clean, and shouldn’t retain the funky odours of your compost.
Most composters are made of plastic which is effective at absorbing heat (particularly if it’s a darker colour) which quickens the composting process. Many are also made from recycled materials which makes them even more eco-friendly.
You can also find wooden compost bins, which usually look nicer in a yard. However, while they look great, you’ll have to think about rot - plus, they won’t heat up as quickly. Some brands also sell silicone composters; while silicone is easy to clean, odours tend to linger on it.
Number of compartments
Some composters, particularly tumbling ones, also have multiple chambers so that you can add to one while the other full compartment can cook. This means that you won’t slow the composting process down by continuously adding new waste.
If you’ve got your eyes on a composter with a single chamber, then you can always get two composters to have a quick turnover of fertiliser.
Odour control
Let’s face it, composting can smell funky. There’s not much smell with worm farm composters, as the worms eat most of the food scraps before they start rotting. For most other composters, however, rotting - and odour - is part of the process.
A decent composter will be able to control as much smell as possible. A composter made of a thick material should help ensure there’s minimal or no smell when your bin is closed. Of course, you’ll still notice the smell when you open the composter to add waste.
Is a compost bin worth it?
How much you fork out for a composter will largely depend on the type of composting system you want. Indoor stationary composters (including benchtop ones) typically go from anywhere from $10 to $100, while stationary outdoor compost bins usually set you back between $50 and 350.
Those looking for a worm farm can expect to pay between $110 and $430, while a compost tumbler generally costs somewhere between $170 and $400, with some models going for upwards of $1000.
If you’re looking to reduce the waste you send to landfill and you have a garden that will benefit from fertiliser, then a compost bin may be well worth the time, money, and effort you put towards it.
Hi Don, this is very surprising that you have not managed to… Read more (+1 reply)