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Compost Tumbler image
 
(based on 16 ratings)
Located in: Gardening, Composting, Composters
This batch composter has the largest capacity of any we offer—a whopping 22.4 cubic feet. The drum sits 27" off the ground for easy loading and unloading. Gear-driven drum means easy, no-slip turning, even when the composter is full. Aeration vents and interior fins for mixing materials as the drum is turned produce finished compost faster. Load it up with kitchen and yard waste and tumble every few days, and you can have finished compost in about five weeks.

  • Easy to load, easy to turn
  • Gear-driven drum for easy turning
  • Strong steel frame with galvanized drum
  • This oversize item has a $20 additional shipping charge
  • Please provide a physical street address for delivery
  • Faster shipping is not available for this item
  • Sorry, no shipments to AK, HI, PR or VI

    Would you like to specify a delivery week? Call us at 1-888-833-1412 to place your order!

  • Review Snapshot®
    Avg. Customer Rating:
     
    3.8 stars
    (based on 16 reviews)
    79% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

    Pros:
    Attractive(7), Capacity(13), Composts quickly(6), Easy assembly(9), Odor free(3)
    Best Uses:
    Coffee grounds(8), Ecological waste disposal(9), Fertilizer production(9), Fruit rinds(8), Kitchen scraps(10)
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid gardener(11), Getting started(3)
     
    it does the job
    By tommyVerified Purchaser from hampton roads va. on 9/14/2010
    Pros:
    Capacity, Composts Quickly, Easy Assembly
    Best Uses:
    Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Master Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    great for small continuous long term or can be used with"two week" composed

    [4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Bad investment
    By RichVerified Reviewer from Moncks Corner, SC on 8/18/2010
    Pros:
    Attractive, Easy Assembly, Odor Free
    Cons:
    Difficult to Aerate, Flimsy, Leaks
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    It certainly does the job as advertised but mine rusted through in two places after the second year of use. I patched the first hole but the other has rusted at the opening and very difficult to repair. I'll stick with the plastic drum type

    [4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Worth getting used to
    By DocVerified Reviewer from New Wilmington, PA on 6/14/2010
    Pros:
    Attractive, Capacity, Composts Quickly
    Cons:
    Leaks
    Best Uses:
    Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    I've had this tumbler for a number of years and only now, with some modifications in structure and how I use it, is it really coming into its own. We live in western PA where there's a lot of rain and the contents often got soaked from rain leaking through small gaps in the tumbler panels. Last year I caulked all the seams with clear silicone and that problem is solved. Also, I find that I have to turn it less frequently than the manual suggests to avoid having the contents (usually lawn clippings, leaves and some kitchen scraps) "ball up" into undigestible clumps. With those two fixes I now have a "compost machine". Last night the temperature was 160 degrees.

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    User Friendly Practical Composter
    By Dirt therapy queen from Conway, AR on 4/28/2010
    Pros:
    Attractive, Capacity, Composts Quickly, Easy Assembly, Large capacity
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Master Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    With back problems and advancing age, I needed a composter that was not as labor intensive. It is the right height to add waste, easy to close, crank, and best of all place the wheelbarrow underneath and empty. The only thing it doesn't do is spread it in my garden beds.

    [5 of 5 customers found this review helpful]

     
    First Impressions
    By KenVerified Reviewer from Stamford, CT on 4/14/2010
    Pros:
    Attractive, Capacity, Easy Assembly
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    Frankly, I am disappointed. The door is supposed to snap into place via two latches and two clipper-hooks. The latches are pretty much set, and any adjustments to door closing are via the clipper hooks. My experience is that the nuts that should help tighten these hooks are virtually inaccessible when the composter drum is empty; and totally inaccesible when it is loaded. So the clipper-hooks cannot be tightened sufficiently to secure a tightly closed door.

    The first time I loaded the composter and tried to spin it, the door flew out and contents of the tumbler spilled out all over my patio. It took me more than two hours to clean up the mess. On my second try, the same thing happend. OK, lesson learned. So now I tighten the hooks after each turn, and this seems to be helping. But at this price point, this is a downer that quickly dissipates enthusiasm for composting.

    Also, the composter has not really gotten hot. The day after first loading the temperature was only 60 degrees. On the second day, it was 65 degrees, and after four days I have not really noted any heating at all, even though I added several cups of compost starter and two bags of dehydrated cow manure to the load. But April is a cool month in my area, and I am hoping that things will heat up with rising temperatures.

    One more thing. The manufacturer recommends locating this composter on level ground, which at my house can only be the patio. So my composter is in a corner of my patio, and I am already beginning to see that it will make a big mess, mainly because the door does not close, flush.

    No, from my experience so far I will not recommend this unit to a friend or foe. But I am open minded and if the compost tumbler acquits itself, I shall rush to these pages to make ammends.

     
    Compost tumbler is nice heighth.
    By Granny GrayceVerified Reviewer from Newport, WA on 4/6/2010
    Pros:
    Attractive, Capacity, Easy Assembly
    Cons:
    Remains to cold to use
    Best Uses:
    Ecological Waste Disposal, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    Directions were clear, composter is installed on level ground in the garden. It turns very easily, although not much in it yet as weather is still too cold for effective composting. Appreciate the booklet with different ways to build the compost.

    [2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Compost Tumbler
    By Rita the ratVerified Reviewer from Conn on 2/25/2010
    Pros:
    Attractive, Capacity, Easy Assembly, Odor Free
    Cons:
    Difficult to Aerate
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Getting Started

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    I love the idea but my compose never got started. It never got "hot" enough to decompose the grass, leaves, and table scraps. I even bought the mix to get it started, and it never did.

     
    Excellent composter - excellent value
    By gardner's helperVerified Purchaser from Santa Barbara on 11/29/2009
    Pros:
    Composts Quickly, Easy Assembly
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Ecological Waste Disposal, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    All cuttings from garden are shredded and composted. Great way to build up the soil.

    [4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

     
    COMPOST TUMBLER A REAL WINNER...
    By Barbara with the bounty of flowers...Verified Purchaser from Edina, MN on 5/15/2009
    Pros:
    Attractive, Capacity, Composts Quickly, Easy to turn, EASY to use, Odor Free
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    My previous composter was fine, but became heavy to turn with a pitch fork. Since I have arthritis, I was looking for an easier compost solution. This is it!

    [2 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Time will tell...
    By LucyRoseVerified Purchaser from Rogue River, Oregon on 5/9/2009
    Pros:
    Capacity, Easy to turn large pile
    Cons:
    Seems a bit overpriced
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Getting Started
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    It's a little too high off the ground for me, and I'm an average height female. We haven't had it long enough to have any finished product yet (not using the 2-week hot compost method), but are very happy with it so far. It does seems little overpriced, but that's probably because of low demand; and I don't think I would have wanted to try to put it together without some extra hands - it's definitely a 2-person job. Even so, we like it a lot, and believe it will do the job we bought it for well, and last a good long while as well.

    [7 of 7 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Good, Reliable, Quality Composter
    By JanieVerified Reviewer from Dallas, Texas on 4/12/2009
    Pros:
    Capacity, Durable, Easy Assembly
    Cons:
    If full hard to turn
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    I've had this composter for more than 4 years. A metal stabilizing bar broke and was replaced promptly without charge by the manufacturer. I keep it in the shade and haven't had any problem with it drying out. If you need a large capacity composter, this one is a good option.

    [7 of 7 customers found this review helpful]

     
    need to monitor moisture closely
    By socalgardenerVerified Reviewer from LA on 9/26/2008
    Pros:
    Capacity, EASY to use
    Cons:
    Dries out quickly, Metal drum overheats
    Best Uses:
    Coffee Grounds, Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production, Fruit Rinds, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    Great capacity, but (at least in Southern CA) it dries out daily (completely!), especially in our hot summers. As long as you're diligent about adding water, and maybe keep it in the shade rather than direct sun, it does compost well. I do prefer my plastic unit though, although it has a significantly smaller capacity.

    [4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Easy
    By buybuybuyVerified Purchaser from Allen,TX on 9/13/2008
    Pros:
    Capacity, Easy to turn
    Best Uses:
    Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    It is easy turning, easy opening and even looks ok.

    [3 of 6 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Pretty good so far
    By MomVerified Purchaser from Raymond, ME on 9/10/2008
    Pros:
    Capacity
    Best Uses:
    Ecological Waste Disposal, Fertilizer Production, Fruit Rinds, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Getting Started
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    Seems good but I'm new at this so I'll know more after more time.

    [7 of 7 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Very, very good. Was worth it.
    By BradVerified Purchaser from Walnut. Ca. on 8/10/2008
    Pros:
    Capacity, Composts Quickly, Easy Assembly
    Cons:
    No motor is available
    Best Uses:
    Fertilizer Production, Leaves & Brush
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    I'm adding a small motor for ease of use. A fast load that's not shredded enough can get a little out-of balance. Overall it's amazing. Thanks again, Brad

    [10 of 14 customers found this review helpful]

     
    not what it's cracked up to be
    By Flower ChildVerified Purchaser from Salem, Utah on 7/18/2008
    Cons:
    Didn't compost, Leavesgrass dried out, Needs Solution Added
    Best Uses:
    Fertilizer Production
    Describe Yourself:
    Avid Gardener

    Comments about Compost Tumbler:

    our first load just dried out but didn't break down. we're trying another load. maybe we'll have better luck next time. I would hesitate to recommend this product to a friend.

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