HOTBIN Compost Bin - Extra

I got this just after Christmas and it was snowing the day after I had set it up so I didn't see much happen for two weeks. But now (under a month later) I get a composty steam facial when I open the lid to 'feed' it. I use around 50% cardboard and shredded paper and 45% food waste and 5% composted bark (which came with the order). I add a 2lt bucket of food waste 2 times a week (more if I can). I am looking forward to the spring, summer and autumn when I can add my garden waste to it.Its a great size (wheelie bin size) so it doesn't take up much space and it not too tall (I am 5'1"). The raking stick is very useful as it easily combines the new material with the stuff below (I do get concerned with damaging the inside walls, so I am careful). The extra thermometer is also an asset as the lid thermometer (so far) is always half the temperature (30 degrees Centigrade) of the material inside the bin (60 degrees Centigrade).It is very light once all the extra items are removed (e.g. the composted bark bag) so I could move it easily.The delivery time said it wouldn't arrive for 3 weeks but it was only 1 week.My only advise with this is to be patient and be consistent in 'feeding' it twice a week.

We were very pleased with this product for several months until the rats decided to start eating through the outside. Rather an expensive mistake.

I set this up following instructions for a base layer. It was a bit fiddly trying to get a good mix of ingredients but I did my best and left it for a week. Not much happening after the first week but then I went to town, gathering spent greenery from the garden, opening up my bags of shredded woody waste and finally mixing in handfuls of shredded paper. My bin was now around three quarters full. The following week the weather was still warm (for late October) and I didn't go near it near until the following weekend; the temperature on the lid was showing around 30 degrees so I opened up to check the inside temperature with the second thermometer. My oh my! Steam was rising, the top rim was covered in worms (trying to escape the heat or just coming up for air??) and the thermometer had climbed to 55 degrees. Time for a top up.

Bought this bin with added extras, took 2+ weeks to deliver, it felt like they had to have it delivered from China! lolDescription claims the bin goes to 40-60 degrees C, this is not what happened for me, i followed the instructions very accurately and mine only goes to 10 degrees C!I filled mine with easy composting material such as fine shredded paper, small cut up corregated cardboard pieces, cut grass from my lawn and composted wood chip all mixed together, this was filled up to 40cm then the plastic bottle was filled with hot water and put in, then the rest of the bin was filled up the top with the same easy composting material.This bin is a failure and i have emailed them to ask for advice and they are ignoring me.Don't bother with this overpriced junk. You could just buy 6 standard large composters for the price of this one.

A composter that has such stringent instructions regarding how to load and in what order...including a 'hot water bottle' and which still doesn't reach the desired temperature is a disappointment. So this 'Dalek' stands at the bottom of the garden rebuking me as I revert to my former 'method'.

Only had the bin for three weeks and really too cold to start it with frosts and temp not getting above 3 C. However got it going a week ago using the hot water bottle and now with the hwb out its up to 20C which is not bad. Now got chicken pellets to add to the mixture and will monitor the temp over the coming weeks, But verdict.. it looks promising and with more green stuff from the gardem should do wellVery impressed by build which seems tough .

This is a black styrene composter. YES; it is made of styrene; weighs almost nothing! I have had mine about 10 months. Saw it on a shopping network; and got it on another(cheaper).Yes; in the summer months when our temperatures get(got) warmer; it heats up. BUT with all the rain - it is cooled down quickly. What we have placed in the composter; is still in it; with minmal broken down. In fact; we are now about 15 inches from the top; and will have to start using our old; standard composter. This was an expensive mistake!

I bought this in the hope I could compost my lawn cuttings, leaves and waste food. I've been adding to it regularly and it is decomposing perfectly - I'm looking forward to the spring when i can use the compost on my garden - I havent peeped at the bottom yet but I'm sure it will be good compost. I don't put any food waste out for council collections now and once I was cutting my grass regularly then there wasn't too much for the bin.You have to make sure you add enough dry stuff to stop it getting wet and smelly. I shred all my paper waste and add it into my kitchen compost bin along with the food then it all gets thrown into the hot bin every couple of days. Sometimes I get a whole load of packing cardboard and cut it down in one go then just add handfuls of it as I go.A I live on my own I don't really have enough food to keep it going and have to spread out my food waste putting in a little at a time however if the temperature does drop I just add the hot water bottle and it gets it back up to temperature again. I need to convince my family to start giving my their food scraps!!