Best Composting Tumblers to Convert Kitchen and Yard Waste Into Fertilizers

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 24, 2023
The next time when you prepare a meal for your family, don't be in a rush to ditch the leftovers. Banana peels, potato skin, and other food left in the fridge can be decomposed and used as a fertilizer for your lawn. A compost tumbler is a great alternative to compost pits that will simplify and speed up the process of composting. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Number of Chambers
Capacity
Materials
Frame
Dimensions
Warranty
 
PROS

The option to attach the handle on either side of the drum allows you to mix the wastes even when the bin is full. 

CONS

Smooth and even inner walls of the drum impede the proper mixing of the compost. 

OUR VERDICT

The Mantis compost tumbler will become a useful addition to your garden tools. Featuring weatherproof properties, it will allow you to compost big quantities of scraps in the shortest time possible. 

detailed parameters
Number of Chambers

1

Capacity

12 cu. ft. / up to 88 gallons

Materials

Non-toxic powder-coated galvanized steel
Rust-resistant, BPA-free food grade plastic end caps

Frame

Tubular steel with black powder-coated finish

Dimensions

43 x 42 x 33 inches

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The rod located to the right of the container allows you to lock the composter in different positions. 

CONS

Tumbler's assembly might be quite challenging.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to a wide opening in this tumbler, you will not have any difficulty with loading and dumping big chunks of food scraps and garden trimmings.  

detailed parameters
Number of Chambers

1

Capacity

8.7 cu. ft. / up to 65 gallons

Materials

Heavy-duty UV-protected HDPE panels

Frame

Powder-coated steel frame

Dimensions

43.2 x 35.1 x 35.8 inches

Warranty

5 years

PROS

By removing the divider, you'll be able to transform two separate chambers into a single capacious container.

CONS

It is hard to get the compost out of one of the chambers due to a single sliding door on the tumbler.

OUR VERDICT

With the Yimby dual composter, you'll have a chance to produce a continuous flow of high-quality fertilizers. Thanks to the combination of excellent aeration and deep fins on the inner walls, the compost will always be of the highest quality. 

detailed parameters
Number of Chambers

2

Capacity

5 cu. ft. / up to 37 gallons

Materials

BPA-free recycled polypropylene

Frame

Sturdy tubular frame

Dimensions

36 x 28 x 26 inches

Warranty

1 year

PROS

To ensure proper ventilation, the canister's been fitted with 20 special ventilation slots. The four outer ports on either side of the tumbler can be used for installing a thermometer.

CONS

You need both hands to open the lid.

OUR VERDICT

The compost tumbler with the container this deep and narrow doesn't take up a lot of space yet makes enough room for plenty of waste. Featuring openings on each end, it allows you to decompose food leftovers very quickly. 

detailed parameters
Number of Chambers

1

Capacity

9.3 cu. ft. / up to 60 gallons

Materials

100% recycled plastic

Frame

1" thick powder coated legs

Dimensions

45 x 26 x 32.5 inches

Warranty

2 years

PROS

This tumbler comprises 2 one-piece containers which are easy to put together. Also, they are much more durable than assemblable models.

CONS

The openings for loading and dumping are pretty small.

OUR VERDICT

The HOT FROG compost tumbler is engineered with 2 separate containers that can be rotated alternately to produce compost batch by batch. Ideal for small composting projects.

detailed parameters
Number of Chambers

2

Capacity

5 cu. ft. / 37 gallons

Materials

Linear low density polyethylene

Frame

Galvanized steel frame

Dimensions

36 x 30 x 28 inches

Warranty

1 year

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Mantis CT02001

Formidable Capacity

The CT02001 compost tumbler consists of a cylinder shaped container and a solid tubular steel frame. The container is made of galvanized steel that boasts of durable service life and excellent rust-proof properties. The capacity of the bin of 12 cu. ft. allows it to hold up to 88 gallons of green wastes, which means, you will get a lot of fertilizers to spread on your lawn. On the side of the tumbler, you will find a special sliding door, on removing which you'll get access to the chamber. The door is lockable with 2 latches, which makes the tumbler more secure in usage. It also prevents unpleasant odors from spreading around your yard. There are 2 air inlets on the door and 2 additional holes on sidewalls that let the air in for proper ventilation and consequently, better aeration. According to feedback, the CT02001 doesn't give off odors at all if you follow the instructions. So, you can place it next to your porch easily, without worrying that it might become a source of nasty smells in your house. The maximum temperature inside the CT02001 makes 160° F, which allows it to decompose as many scraps as you need, effectively killing off weed seeds and disease spores. We should also say a few words about the crank system used in this tumbler. It features a well-built design, ensuring that even novice users could easily use and spin it. In order to start the process of decomposing, it will be enough to turn the handle once. In less than a few weeks, you will get a ready-to-use fertilizer. 

Review of Mantis CT02001 Compost Tumbler

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00IZXUCOS

 

Lifetime 60028

Extra-large Opening for Easy Loading

Let's take a closer look at the compost tumbler from Lifetime company. This model features a container constructed of high-density plastic panels. Plastic is UV protected, thus it won't fade, crack, or peel in the sunlight. The thick heavy-duty black container walls absorb and retain heat brilliantly not only because of the color but also due to their double-layered design. Therefore, you can be sure that the organic wastes you add will break down faster and there will be no foul odors. The Lifetime Compost Tumbler drum looks quite big and offers ample room for a lot of food wastes and yard trimmings. The conic shape of the container adds to the efficient mixing of the compost, ensuring that a fertilizer is ready in a shorter time. What we like about the Lifetime Compost Tumbler design is that it features special slots for hands, which make it easier for the user to mix the waste, without the need of bending over the opening. All you need to do is lock the tumbler in the optimal position with a rod, then remove the rod, and spin the drum. Also, the locking rod comes in handy when you need to take a fertilizer out of the chamber; with it, chances you might tip it over are from none to zero. Finally, we also like that this tumbler has a really wide opening and a removable lid, so it's easy to dumb wastes inside the bin. Even though the lid isn't very lightweight, you'll quickly get used to moving it with one hand. 

Review of Lifetime 60028 Compost Tumbler

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B004QKU0MS

 

Yimby Dual Tumbler Composter

Double the Efficiency

In search of a compact organic wastes composting unit, we've come across this model from Yimby company. At the dimensions of 36 x 28 x 26 inches and with 5 cu.ft capacity, it can be quickly filled up to begin the process. The octagon-shaped container is made of BPA-free, UV inhibited recycled polypropylene and set on a stainless steel frame for better stability of the construction. So, even though this tumbler is compact and small, it is yet very reliable. Similar to more expensive models, the Yimby composter features several air vents for faster decomposition. What's unique about this model, though, is that it has not one, but two separate chambers, that can be used simultaneously for decomposing different wastes. Once the compost sits and cures in one of the chambers, you can fill the other one with fresh food scraps, this way effectively producing continuous flows of fertilizers. The only minor drawback that we've noticed is that it's hard to get the compost out of one of the chambers when the other one's closed. That's actually the only bad thing we could find. Rather than that, the Yimby composter with dual chambers will be the best choice for all those users who don't need tons of compost but want to keep a small composter in their yards. 

Review of Yimby Dual Tumbler Composter
Last updated price $89.19
Stock In stock
ASIN B009378AG2

 

Spin Bin Compost Tumbler

Lids at both Ends

The Spin Bin company presents an out-of-the-box solution for cooking compost from organic and green compostables. The whole construction is comprised of a barrel style container and a durable steel frame. Due to the vertically mounted container with the width of 26 inches, the tumbler doesn't require a lot of space. At the same time, it is very capacious and can hold up to 60 gallons of wastes, allowing you to eliminate all debris from your yard. 

Designed with openings at both ends, the canister can be loaded with fresh compostables or dumped from either end. Both openings are covered with screw-on lids, thus you can be sure that none of them will drop open accidentally while you spin the canister. This also makes it easier for you to clean the container from remnants of wastes. 

To speed up the process of wastes recycling and improve aeration, the manufacturer placed 20 ventilation slots throughout the whole construction of the tumbler, while in order to let you check out the temperature inside the bin, provided additional 4 outer ports for installing a thermometer. 

To sum up, the Spin Bin 60 gallon tumbler will be best suitable for owners of small flowerbeds or vegetable gardens who don't want to place heavy and bulky composters. It will fit in confined areas and provide you with excellent quality home-made organic fertilizers.

Review of Spin Bin Compost Tumbler
Last updated price $159.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00KC3ARQM

 

FCMP Outdoor Dual Body Tumbling Composter

Two is Better than One

Finally, we'd like to present to you the HOT FROG compost tumbler. It was not only the name that caught our fancy; we were instantly attracted by the unsual design of the unit. This tumbler with a funny name has two separate chambers which, unlike other models, can be spun independently from one another. The total capacity of the two chambers equals 37 gallons. If you don't need to spread large fields with fertilizers, this will surely suffice for nourishing small- and mid-sized flower beds and vegetable gardens. Despite a dual chamber design, the HOT FROG composter is quite compact. At the dimensions of 36 x 30 x 28 inches, it fits ideally in small gardens and yards. 

The beauty about composters with two chambers is that you don't need to wait until the whole unit is filled up; you can begin the process of decomposing when one of its chambers is full. This is what the HOT FROG tumbler enables you to do too. 

On average, provided that the weather's hot outside and you spin the container several times every 2 or 3 days, you will get the first batch of compost already in two weeks. 

The HOT FROG has two separate doors for each chamber, which makes it easier for users to get the compost out of one of the chambers, while the other one remains still. This feature is pretty unique and contributes greatly to usability features of this tumbler. You will also like that the doors have "Start" and "Finish" markings; switching them between the chambers, you will always know which of the chambers contains the compost and which one can be used for dumping more waste.

No doubt, the HOT FROG will be of great use for any gardener looking for a small but efficient composter to break the wastes down as quickly as possible.
Review of FCMP Outdoor Dual Body Tumbling Composter

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $127.35
Stock In stock
ASIN B01IFN972U

 

What is a Compost Tumbler

If you have a garden or a lawn, you know for sure that soil needs to be enriched with fertilizers to yield good harvest or grow deep green grass with no weeds. High-quality organic fertilizer acts as a conditioner that nourishes soil with different nutrients and also feeds plants. Compost is made of organic and ecologically clean products only. It contains no dangerous chemical compounds, synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and therefore, makes a good naturally decomposed plants food.

Of course, you could decompose your wastes in a special compost pit in the yard, however, it would take you ages. To reduce the time needed for the waste to turn into a usable compost, it is better to use a special compost tumbler, a device in the shape of a canister, capable of eliminating wastes in no time. The tumblers are usually set on metal frames so that they could be easily spun and rotated, and equipped with handles, allowing you to mix the waste evenly for better aeration of fertilizers. We've selected some of the most popular composting tumblers to make it easier for you to choose an appropriate model.

You may also want to consider getting yourself a gas or electric lawn mower with a mulching function to keep your lawn well-groomed and make more compost out of the cut grass in your new tumbler.

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Publish Date: 2017-05-29 16:03:35