Since our last discussion I have been looking at all kinds of composters. I found this one on a website for Mother Earth News, that you can make using a metal 55 gallon drum. You can make it where it turns also. Has anyone ever tried a metal composter? I am hoping that since it is metal it makes the possibility of fire low. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks, April
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My husband made me one out of a 55 gallon plastic feed barrel. He welded a cradle for it and a handle that allows me to turn it and it has a little trap door that I open to put material in and out. I chose plastic for a few reasons.
1.) Cost. Used feed barrels are about $15 from the feed store near me. (make sure you know that was used in the barrel. Often the metal ones are used for oil or chemicals. I only use barrels that were used for food grade materials.)
2.) I was concerned that a metal barrel would heat up too much in our summer. Hot compost is good for decomposition, but too hot kills the good microbes and bacteria.
3.)I was concerned that over time a metal container would rust or oxidize.
4.) Plastic barrels are lighter and easier to handle. It will be plenty heavy once its full of material...I didn't want it to be any harder to move then it already is.
My homemade compost tumbler works great. Even in the cool temperatures it has nearly finished a load of compost started when I recieved it for Christmas...so 2 months. In the summer it will crank it out (literally) even faster than that! I highly encourage you to make your own. You can make 3 or 4 for the price of buying one, although the $99 one at costco is a great price and works well (my sister has one) for those that might not have the ability or desire to make their own.
Karis- That sounds great. Is there anyway you can post or send me a picture of it?
When I get home I will try to post a pic!