Compost Bins: Reviews

Updated June 2010

Composting requires heat and air circulation to break down organic waste into usable garden mulch. The best compost bins make it easy to load scraps and yard waste, and simplify the process of "turning" the compost -- actually mixing the pile so air and heat can penetrate evenly. We checked reviews and commentary in online gardening forums to find the most effective types of compost bins, then compared user reviews to find best-bet bins. We also checked out vermicomposting, which uses a colony of worms to speed the breakdown of kitchen scraps.

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Best stationary compost bin

Exaco Earthmaker

*Est. $250 Compare Prices

If you need a composter large enough to handle both kitchen and lawn/garden clippings and leaves, this 16.5-cubic-foot plastic compost bin has a three-chambered design that keeps fresh waste separate from finished… expandcompost. A removable shelf and a special pushing tool (included) move materials from one chamber to the next, eliminating the need to turn the compost by hand. Owners appreciate the Exaco Earthmaker compost bin's large capacity, ease of assembly and odor control. One professional test notes that the Earthmaker does not retain much water and may therefore work best in wet climates or for those whose compost contains mainly moist materials such as kitchen waste. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Gaiam.com: The Earthmaker was one of two composters nominated to take part in a six-week comparison of composting performance.

Amazon.com: The few owners posting at Amazon.com are generally happy with the Exaco Earthmaker.

Gardener's Supply Company: Of roughly 40 user reviewers at this online retailer of gardening supplies, 77 percent say they would recommend the Exaco Earthmaker.

The Organic Gardener: This website devoted to organic gardening is run by Michael Scott, an experienced home gardener.

ComposterReviews.com: This is a detailed description of the Exaco Earthmaker.

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Buy from Amazon

for $249.99

UnbeatableS- ale, Inc.

for $215.97

Best tumbling compost bin

Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler

*Est. $180 Compare Prices

A tumbling compost bin helps cut down on manual labor; instead of turning compost by hand with a pitchfork or other tool, users turn the bin itself to mix the compost. The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler has a reasonable price… expandtag (as tumblers go), plus it's highly rated and recommended by owners, who say it produces good compost in short order. The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler has a fairly small capacity (7 to 8 cubic feet) compared to non-tumbling compost bins, so it's better for smaller yards and families. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CleanAirGardening.com: This retail site outlines the results of testing by members of the National Home Gardening Club.

Amazon.com: The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler earns good overall ratings from more than 20 owners at Amazon.com.

CleanAirGardening.com: The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler is a staff pick at this online retailer of garden products.

People Powered Machines.com: This online retailer calls the Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler "heads above all the other tumble type composters" on the basis of its own testing.

Mother Earth News: This article offers a helpful description of the seven different styles and brands of compost tumblers tested by the magazine's staff.

The Organic Gardener: On this site devoted to organic gardening, experienced gardener Michael Scott recommends the Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler for those who want to "turn your grass clippings into compost quickly." Scott says the tumbling bin's central bar does a good job breaking up the thatch of grass clippings to speed their breakdown.

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Buy from Amazon for $194.99
Amazon for $127.49	Overstock.c- om for $166.99	Kmart for $179.99

Basic compost bin

Gardener's Supply Company Wire Bin Composter

*Est. $40 Learn More

If you don't care much about looks and can place your compost area far enough away from your home to avoid odors, we found good reviews for the Wire Bin Composter as a cost-effective compost bin. The Wire Bin Composter… expandexpands to hold 16 cubic feet of material when fully extended, but a three-bin system (*Est. $100) is also available if you need more capacity. This model is constructed of heavy-gauge steel with a plastic coating that makes it rust-resistant. An optional thermal cover (*est. $16) is sold separately to help this open bin retain heat. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Gardener's Supply Company: There are nearly 200 reviews for the Gardener's Supply Company Wire Bin Composter at the Gardener's Supply Company website, and 91 percent of users say that they would recommend this composter.

Epinions.com: A handful of owner-reviewers at Epinions.com say the Gardener's Supply Company Wire Bin Composter is inexpensive, easy to assemble and easy to use.

Kitchen composter

NatureMill Plus XE Compost Bin

*Est. $300 Compare Prices

If you don't have an outdoor space, it's possible to compost indoors, but indoor composters are pricey, and they also need electricity to operate. The compact NatureMill Plus XE Compost Bin indoor unit uses a small amount… expandof electricity (about 5 kilowatt hours per month) to heat and break down kitchen wastes with a minimum of noise and odor. The unit can process up to 120 pounds of food waste per month and produces compost every two weeks. Owners say it's easy to use and produces no offensive odors. Another feature that sets the NatureMill Plus XE apart is its ability to handle meat and dairy foods and even pet wastes, which are normally unsafe to compost. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

TreeHugger.com: A self-described "lazy" reviewer discusses her experience using an earlier version of the NatureMill Indoor Composter in her home.

The Wall Street Journal: This article compares the NatureMill Plus (an earlier version than the XE) with one other indoor composter and two compost pails.

Amazon.com: Amazon has no user reviews for the NatureMill Plus XE, but it does have more than 35 reviews for the similar NatureMill Pro XE. Positive reviews rave about the NatureMill's ease of use, while negative ones complain that it clogs easily or breaks down completely.

ThisNext.com: The NatureMill Plus XE and the related NatureMill Pro XE earn a total of 12 recommendations from this online "community of shoppers," though it is not always clear which model is being recommended.

Gaiam.com: Gaiam does not carry the NatureMill Plus XE, but it does sell the NatureMill Pro XE. Five of the seven user reviews for this model praise its ease of use, while the other two complain that it clogs, makes noise and fails to transfer finished compost to its lower bin.

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Kitchen compost pail

KC1000 Kitchen Compost Carrier

*Est. $18 Compare Prices

An essential composting accessory is a pail to collect food scraps in the kitchen before transferring them to an outdoor bin or pile. The KC1000 Kitchen Compost Carrier (also sold by Gaiam under the name Compost Bucket)… expandis highly recommended both for its convenient carrying handle and for its odor-reducing charcoal filter. A few owners warn of mold buildup and fruit flies if the pail is not emptied frequently, but it still gets excellent overall ratings. The KC1000 compost pail holds 5.5 quarts of scraps; if you need a slightly larger pail, the KC2000 Kitchen Carrier (*Est. $25) is a similar pail that holds up to 2.4 gallons. Replacement charcoal filters are sold separately (*Est. $8 for three). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Gaiam.com: The KC1000 Kitchen Compost Carrier receives roughly 20 user reviews at Gaiam.com, a retailer of green products for the home.

The Wall Street Journal: The KC1000 Kitchen Compost Carrier is featured in this 2007 article that reports on two composters and two compost pails.

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Buy from
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for $20.00

Triformis Can-O-Worms *Est. $130

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Daily Mail (United Kingdom)…

Back Porch ComposTumbler *Est. $240

3 picks by top review sites.

Norpro Ceramic Compost Keeper *Est. $25

2 picks including: Amazon.com, The Wall Street Journal…

All Seasons Indoor Composter *Est. $75

2 picks by top review sites.


	Can O Worms 00300 Composting Bin In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Norpro 1 Gallon Ceramic Compost Keeper, White In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	All Seasons Indoor Composter - Tan In Stock. Average Customer Review: