DIY Compost Tumbler: Cheap, Easy, and Simple!

Building a DIY Compost Tumbler at Home!

Creating your DIY compost tumbler by hand is actually full of work. However, creating a tumbler is as easy as composting! All you have to invest is your time and everything is going to work your way! But before you begin with your tumbler, are you actually making compost in the right way?

What is a Compost?

Compost is a mixture of decomposed organic matter and can be added to soil to improve it for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture. Compost is produced naturally when water, brown materials such as dead leaves, twigs, and branches, and green materials like grass clippings and fruit and vegetable scraps are combined. This is the best way of recycling biodegradable waste.

Compost is created by the cooperative decomposition of plant matter by bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. By chemically dissolving organic molecules, bacteria carry out the majority of labor-intensive tasks. Other invertebrates and insects, such as worms, sow bugs, nematodes, and others, also participate in the process by physically disintegrating those components.

Why Compost?

One of the oldest and most successful methods of nurturing soil is composting. If you’re new to gardening, farming, or any other soil-related activity, you may be thinking why chose compost when there are so many commercial fertilizers available?

Organic material is naturally broken down by bacteria and other composting agents during the process of composting. The soil is nourished by the decomposed components, providing a strong base for your plants. As the main decomposers of organic waste, important bacteria must be present in the soil. The organic molecules are gradually sublimated into carbon by bacteria and other decomposers. The sole contains carbon, which increases the soil’s ability to hold water.

The basic premise underlying composting is that all organic material eventually decomposes. Composting is the perfect method of waste management because all sorts of organic waste are useful resources. Growing healthy plants and cultivating them in fields is only one aspect of composting.

Composting is a fun pastime that also helps to lessen the amount of rubbish dumped in landfills, improves the soil in our gardens and farms, and reduces global greenhouse gas emissions. Another entertaining and useful way to get your family outside is through composting. Why not spend time as a family while also benefiting the environment?

The Essentiality Of Compost Tumbler

Composting ingredients are mixed in a container that may be rotated and completely sealed. The process of turning kitchen and yard trash into compost is sped up thanks in part to the enclosed container’s ability to control the heat produced by the composting process. To make composting easier and quicker, compost tumblers were developed.

Compost bins are different from compost tumblers. Most compost bins have open bottoms and are made to be placed on the ground. Compost bins are the cheapest type of composter, but they have a few drawbacks: it’s hard to turn the compost with a pitchfork inside, heat dissipates readily, slowing the composting process, and rodents can easily tunnel under the sides to get to the composting ingredients.

In comparison to an open composter drum, heap, or pile, a compost tumbler will produce and retain heat more efficiently. This is because everything is contained. Additionally, using a compost tumbler produces very little odor. This also implies that unlike when creating a compost pile, you won’t attract pests and wildlife. There won’t be any access for animals to food or composting products.

Compost tumblers also have wheels. This implies that you can reposition them as required. When you remove the compost, you might choose to wheel it to your garden; otherwise, keep it close to your house to fill it with kitchen scraps.

How To Make Your Own DIY Compost Tumbler

In the DIY courses we offer at GoCompost, the first thing we ensure is that you don’t have to waste a single penny if possible. We’re trying to utilize recyclable materials that can easily be found at your home. In this case, if you have any similar-looking object of the same size as a drum, you can use it.

Most people prefer compost piles knowing how costly a compost tumbler is. This is despite the fact that compost tumblers are way more effective than compost piles, and many more compost tools. However, a small issue like that is nothing if you have

In making a DIY Compost Tumbler, you’ll need the following:

• 1 piece of Food Grade 55 Gallon Drum/Barrel
• 6 pieces of 2 ft. long Pressure Treated 2 in. x 4 in.
• 4 pieces of 4 ft. long Pressure Treated 2 in. x 4 in.
• 4 pieces of 3 ft. long Pressure Treated 2 in. x 4 in.
• 1 piece of 2 in. Deck Screw
• 1 piece of 3 in. Deck Screw
• 4 pieces of Fixed Stationary Caster Wheels
• Stainless Steel Toggle Latch
• Threadlock
• Zinc-Plated Nuts, Zinc Bolts, and Zinc Coated Washers
• Drill
• ½ in. of Drill Bit
• Utility Knife
• Circular Saw
• Hack Saw
• Driver
• Pencil
• Permanent Marker
• Tape Measure

Creating the Base

A strong foundation of a compost barrel begins with the pieces of wood supporting it underneath. So the first thing you must do is to cut the pressured treated lumber into appropriate sizes. Strictly follow this measurement instruction: 5 pieces of 8 ft. boards, 4 pieces of 4 ft. boards, 6 pieces of 2 ft. boards, and 4 pieces of 3 ft. boards. Use a circular saw to cut the boards, or have a hardware shop do it for you.

With two of the 3 ft. planks, create a symmetric X shape that is 2 ft. wide at the top and bottom. X-shaped boards should be fastened with 2-in. decking screws. Do the same to the other pair of lumber to have two symmetric X shapes. At the top and bottom, fasten the 4 ft. of boards to both of your X shapes lumbers so they stand parallel. As braces for the top and bottom of the base, use four of the 2 ft. planks. Fasten a 2 ft. board in the center of each 4 ft. cross piece.

At this point, the top of your base ought to have a 4 by 2 feet rectangle shape on it. With the wheels parallel to the 2 ft. sides, screw two casters to one of the 4 ft. sides. On the opposite 4 ft. side, repeat with the other two casters. The casters will assist in the tumbler’s rotation.

Forming The Tumblers’ Body

Draw a roughly long non-curvy U shape using a permanent marker on the drum/barrel surface big enough for an average shovel to enter. Create a hole in each of the U’s corners with a drill. Use a hacksaw to cut the U’s bottom three sides, and then thinly cut the U’s top side with a utility knife creating an easy opening and closing door for your tumbler.

Next, you have to attach your rust-resistant hardware like the latch. While keeping the latch in place, use a marker to mark the spot for the pilot holes. Drill the bolt holes, then use washers on the interior of the barrel to attach each piece of hardware. Apply thread lock to each bolt before you fully tighten each nut to ensure that the hardware will remain in place over time. To keep your latch closed when not in use, use a little piece of wire.

Make air holes in your compost drum every 10 in. or so using a ½ in. drill bit. Both air and moisture are necessary for composting to work correctly. After drilling, be sure to clean up any plastic debris that may have remained.