These Compost Tumblers Turn Food Scraps Into Organic Soil
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Making strides to become more environmentally friendly has become the norm these days. While you may have already switched to metal straws, reusable storage bags, or even a hybrid car that cuts carbon emissions, those aren’t the only ways to support a healthier planet. If you’re looking for another way to improve the environment, we’ve found the best compost tumblers that prove how easy it is to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden or yard.
Compost tumblers are easy to set up and use and can be placed in a backyard or any outdoor space. Compost bins vary in size from compact countertop models used for kitchen scraps to large wooden pens that take up a significant portion of your yard. Compost tumblers fall somewhere in the middle, and usually hold at least 20 gallons of material—enough to make plenty of black gold for your flower beds and vegetable gardens.
The Best Compost Tumblers
Best Overall: Miracle-Gro Large Composter
Easy-to-Crank Handle: RSI Maze Two-Stage Tumbler Composter
Great for Beginners: FCMP Outdoor Rolling Tumbler Composter
Heavy-Duty Pick: Jora Compost Bin Tumbler
Built-In Thermometer: Squeeze Master Large Compost Tumbler
What to Consider
Materials
Compost tumblers tend to be made from durable and sturdy materials like plastic, resin, or metal to withstand the outdoors. Metal tumblers may get hot if you place them in the sun and plastic and resin may be easier to keep clean than metal. However, many high-capacity compost tumblers are made of metal, since they can hold the weight. The one you choose will depend on the size you need and where you’ll put it.
Size and Capacity
Compost tumblers are best suited for an outdoor space, so look for a sunny spot in your yard that offers enough room to load, spin, and unload the tumbler. Compost tumblers come in various sizes and can hold 15 to more than 100 gallons of material. Since you’ll be turning the composter, choose a manageable size. Plus, consider the size of your garden and how much soil you want to make.
How We Selected
To find the best tumblers, we reviewed top-rated options from retailers like Amazon and Lowe’s. Our selections have all received average customer ratings of four stars or more, with reviewers claiming that they were easy to use and transport and create enough compost for their yards. The tumblers we've selected also range in size and capacity, so there’s an option for everyone. Below, read more about the best compost tumblers for any yard.
Large Composter
If you’re looking for a great all-around composter, this one from Miracle-Gro is a smart pick. It’s compact enough to fit into most yard corners, yet its 27.7-gallon capacity can still churn out plenty of compost. The composter is made of recycled plastic and has sliding doors that tightly lock to prevent pests or animals from getting in.
Once you load this composter with any kitchen scraps or food waste, it should take four to six weeks for your compost to break down and be ready to use. Then, you can spread it throughout your yard or garden to help fertilize your lawn and plants.
Maze Two-Stage Tumbler Composter
Turning a large composter every few days can become a bit of a workout. However, with this composter tumbler from RSI, you won’t feel as fatigued. The geared handle allows for easy turning no matter how full the composter is—a major bonus, considering this model has a 65-gallon capacity.
The composter also has two chambers that can be used together or separately and has built-in air vents for circulation. Even though it's on the large side, it's easy to assemble.
Rolling Tumbler Composter
Composting may seem daunting, but if you have the right composter, it doesn’t have to be. For those just starting, this one is a great choice. Using it is simple: Just fill it up, close the lid, and roll it around for a minute every two to three days. In a few weeks, your compost will be ready to spread across your lawn or garden.
In addition to being especially compact, this composter is incredibly portable and can be rolled in any space outside.
Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler
If you thought Miracle-Gro’s single-chamber composter was good, you’ll think its dual-chamber composter is even better. The heavy-duty composter has two compartments for your food waste and can hold up to 18.5 gallons. Once it’s full, turn the barrel five to six times a day, and in four to six weeks, you’ll have rich, fertile soil to use in your garden or lawn.
The composter is made of recycled materials and is BPA-free and it has sliding doors that stay shut, preventing anything from getting in and disrupting the composting process.
Compost Bin Tumbler
For larger amounts of waste—resulting in a larger amount of compost—you’ll need a composter with significant capacity. Enter this Jora composter, which can hold up to 70 pounds of food scraps.
It’s made of durable galvanized steel and has two chambers lined with food-grade insulation for temperature control. Due to its larger size, the composter has to be stored in a relatively open space or corner of your yard. If that works for you, it’s the best option for making a lot of soil in one go.
Outdoor Tumbling Composter
Those with a bit more space in their yard—and a lot more food waste—would benefit from this tumbling composter from Vivosun.
Its 43-gallon capacity is divided between two chambers, so you can easily fill this tumbler in batches. Once it’s loaded, all you have to do is close its doors and start rotating it to get the compost to break down. In six to eight weeks, you’ll have fertile soil for your yard or garden.
Tumbling Roto Composter
With a capacity of 37 gallons, the FCMP tumbling composter can produce more compost versus many other single-chamber options—and more than certain models with two chambers.
Once you’ve filled it with waste, close the door and turn it five to six times a day, several days a week. Then, in two weeks, you'll have fertile, ready-to-use compost to spread throughout your lawn or garden.
Large Compost Tumbler
Once a composter is filled with waste and is in the process of creating compost, it can be difficult to check how well it’s coming along. With the Squeeze Master compost tumbler, however, you’ll be able to easily monitor the temperature of your compost, thanks to its built-in thermometer. Doing so will ensure it’s not too hot for the microbes breaking down your food scraps.
Aside from checking the temperature, to get your compost going, all you need to do is turn the tumbler six to seven times a day every few days, and in two to three weeks you’ll have rich soil.
FAQs
What can I compost?
You’ll want a combination of “green” and “brown” items for the best mix. Common green items for your composter include food scraps like vegetables, fruit, cooked rice and pasta, coffee grounds, tea leaves, bread, cereal, crackers, oatmeal, nut shells, and eggshells. You can also add grass clippings from your yard. Brown items for composting include dry leaves and flowers, plain brown cardboard (ripped into smaller pieces), shredded newspaper, and even the lint from your clothes dryer. Things that should never go in the compost are animal bones, meat or fish, used cooking oil, milk or butter, ashes from a grill, and small twigs.
How do you use a compost tumbler?
Fill the composter with layers of green and brown items. Add water to make it moist, but not dripping wet. Put the tumbler in a sunny spot. Check the instructions for your tumbler for how often to turn it, but usually, you’ll give it a few spins at least three times a week. Make sure the mix stays somewhat moist. In about two to four weeks (depending on the size of your tumbler), you'll have soil that looks dark brown and slightly crumbly.
Are compost tumblers worth it?
We think so! Composting kitchen scraps and lawn clippings is a cost-effective way to get a steady supply of high-quality organic soil for your flower beds and vegetable gardens. Considering that most compost tumblers cost less than $150, it pays for itself eventually, since you’ll be buying less soil and fertilizer. It may seem like a lot of work at first, but once the composter does its thing, you’ll be so glad you have one.
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