Composting Tumbler Tips: Your Quick Guide to Success
Using a compost tumbler is one of the easiest ways I’ve found to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost without needing a huge compost pile. I was intimidated when I first started composting because I assumed it would be complicated, messy, and smelly—but my tumbler made the process much more manageable.
After using one in my own small-space garden, I’ve learned that successful tumbler composting really comes down to a few basics: add a good mix of brown and green materials, keep the moisture balanced, turn the tumbler regularly, and give everything enough time to break down.
Below I’ll walk you through exactly how I use my compost tumbler, what I put in it, how often I turn it, how long compost takes, and what to do when things aren’t breaking down the way you expected.
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How does a compost tumbler work?
A compost tumbler is a container that is designed to facilitate the composting process. It typically consists of a drum or barrel that can be rotated manually or with the help of a crank or handle. The tumbler allows you to easily turn and mix the compost materials, providing aeration and accelerating decomposition.
How to Start Composting in a Tumbler
If you’re starting a compost tumbler for the first time, don’t overcomplicate it. Here’s the basic process I use:
- Start with brown material. Add dry leaves, shredded cardboard, straw, or another carbon-rich material.
- Add green material. Mix in kitchen scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds, or other nitrogen-rich materials.
- Aim for more browns than greens. I use roughly three parts brown material to one part green as a starting point, but I adjust based on how the compost looks and smells.
- Check the moisture. The mixture should be damp, similar to a wrung-out sponge—not dripping wet or completely dry.
- Turn the tumbler every few days. This mixes the materials and introduces oxygen to help decomposition.
- Keep adding materials while watching the balance. If it becomes wet or smelly, add more browns. If it’s very dry, add moisture or more green material.
- Stop adding fresh material when you’re ready for a batch to finish. Let it continue breaking down until the compost is dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling, and you can no longer recognize most of what went into it.
Don’t worry about getting everything perfect. Composting is a process, and you’ll get much better at recognizing what your tumbler needs once you’ve used it for a while.
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Choosing the Right Composting Tumbler
Tumbling Composter vs Stationary Compost Bin
In my experience, the choice between a tumbling composter and a stationary compost bin depends on personal preferences, available space, and desired level of involvement. I’ve found that tumbling composters, sometimes also called rotating composters, are usually more compact and make turning compost easier. Simply giving the tumbler a spin mixes and aerates the compost easily, saving time and effort.
On the other hand, stationary compost bins tend to be larger and are easily handmade and thus, cheaper. With a stationary compost bin, you need to use a shovel or pitchfork to turn the compost, which requires more physical work. However, the larger size also means it can handle more compost materials and will produce more compost at the end of the process.
How do I select the right size and capacity for a compost tumbler based on my needs?
When selecting a compost tumbler, consider the following factors:
- Available space: Measure the area where you plan to place the tumbler to ensure it fits comfortably.
- Amount of compostables: Estimate the volume of organic waste you generate regularly to choose a tumbler with an appropriate capacity.
- Frequency of composting: If you generate a large amount of waste frequently, a larger tumbler or multiple tumblers may be more suitable.
- Turnability: Consider the weight of the tumbler when filled with composting materials and ensure you can easily rotate it.
- Budget: Set a budget and choose a tumbler that offers good value for money while meeting your composting needs.
Pro Tip
Only buy a compost tumbler with two sections, so you can add fresh materials to one side while the other side has time to decompose.
Insulated Bin for Cold Climate
If you live in a cold climate, using an insulated tumbler or compost bin can help to ensure efficient composting. Insulated tumblers are designed to keep the heat generated by the composting process inside, maintaining a higher temperature for optimal breakdown of materials. Here are some benefits of using an insulated tumbler:
- Speeds up the composting process by retaining heat.
- Protects compost from freezing temperatures, enabling year-round composting.
- Reduces odors since the tumbler seals in heat and prevents moisture from escaping.
In conclusion, choosing the right compost tumbler depends on several factors, including personal preferences, space, climate, and desired level of involvement. As for me, I’ve had success with my cheap rotating, tumbler!
Check out this post for more on composting in winter!
Understanding Composting Materials: Getting the Right Balance
The easiest way to decide what goes into your compost tumbler is to think in two categories: greens, which provide nitrogen, and browns, which provide carbon. A healthy compost pile needs both.
A good rule of thumb is to add more brown materials than green materials. I often start with roughly three parts browns to one part greens by volume, but I don’t measure this precisely.
Instead, I pay attention to what the compost is doing. If the tumbler becomes wet, slimy, or starts to smell unpleasant, that’s usually my cue to add more dry brown material. If everything looks very dry and decomposition has slowed down, it may need a little moisture or additional green material.
Think of the ratio as a starting point rather than something you have to get exactly right.
- Green materials (nitrogen-rich): 1 part
- Brown materials (carbon-rich): 3 parts
Green Materials and Nitrogen
These materials are rich in nitrogen and provide the necessary nutrients for decomposition. Some examples of green materials include grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and fresh yard waste. Nitrogen-rich materials help to speed up the composting process and create a healthy environment for microbes.
Brown Materials and Carbon
Another vital part of composting is the inclusion of brown materials. These materials are rich in carbon and provide energy for the microbes that break down organic matter. Examples of brown materials are dry leaves, wood chips, and other brown waste from your yard. Carbon-rich materials help to maintain the right balance in your composting tumbler and prevent the compost from becoming too wet or smelly.
To create a well-balanced compost, make sure to layer brown and green materials. Here’s a simple breakdown of the materials:
- Brown Materials: Dry leaves, twigs, cardboard, and straw
- Green Materials: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings
For a printable list of more items you can compost at home, check out this post on composting basics.
Kitchen Scraps and Yard Waste
I’ve found that composting tumblers work best with a mix of both kitchen scraps and yard waste. When it comes to kitchen scraps, stick to raw vegetable scraps, fruit peels, and other uncooked organic materials. Avoid including meat, dairy, or fatty foods as these can create unwanted odors and attract pests. Too much citrus can also cause issues. Yard waste such as small branches, leaves, and grass clippings should be added in moderation to maintain the right balance of green and brown materials.
Breaking Down Materials into Smaller Pieces
I also try to cut or tear larger scraps into smaller pieces when it’s practical. Smaller pieces provide more surface area for microorganisms to work on and can help the materials break down faster.
Layering Brown and Green Materials
By alternately layering these materials, you can ensure that the compost heap has a good balance of carbon and nitrogen, which is vital for successful composting.
What NOT To Put in a Compost Tumbler
There are also a few things I leave out of my home compost tumbler. I don’t add meat, fish, bones, dairy products, fats or oils because they can create odors and attract pests. I also avoid pet waste, diseased plant material, weeds that have gone to seed, and plants that have been treated with herbicides or other chemicals I don’t want ending up in my finished compost.
When I’m unsure about something, I leave it out. There are plenty of easy compostable materials coming out of my kitchen and garden without trying to compost absolutely everything.
Tips for Better Composting in a Tumbler
Now that you’ve got the basics, here are more composting tumbler tips to take your composting from “good” to “great!”.
Compost Activator and Decomposition Process
Using a compost activator really helps kickstart the decomposition process in my compost tumbler. I’ve noticed that adding a layer of activator to new material significantly speeds up the process and delivers the best results. I add in more about 2-3 times a year.
Managing Unpleasant Odor and Excess Moisture
Another important factor to consider when using a composting tumbler is the moisture content of the materials. A well-maintained compost tumbler should have a moisture content of around 40%-60%.
The best way to regulate the moisture content is to keep an eye on compost materials. For example, if I notice the compost is too dry, I can add water or moist food waste to the tumbler. Conversely, if the compost is too wet, I add more carbon-rich materials like leaves or straw to absorb the excess moisture. Personally, I just keep the greens and browns in check, and the moisture seems to regulate itself.
Unpleasant odors and excess moisture can sometimes be an issue in compost tumblers. To manage these problems, follow these steps:
- Aeration: I ensure that my tumbler has adequate ventilation by turning it regularly.
- Moisture Balance: If the compost becomes too moist, I add brown materials to help absorb excess moisture.
- Odor Control: If my compost starts to smell, I add more brown materials and make sure to turn the tumbler more frequently for better aeration.
Turning and Tumbling Frequency
I usually turn my compost tumbler every few days while a batch is actively breaking down. You don’t need to spin it constantly—a few rotations is enough to mix the materials and introduce oxygen.
I also use turning as an opportunity to check what’s happening inside. If the compost looks too wet or smells unpleasant, I’ll add more browns. If it looks extremely dry, it may need a little moisture.
More turning isn’t necessarily better. The goal is simply to keep the materials mixed and aerated while giving the microorganisms time to do their work.
How Long Does Compost Take in a Tumbler?
Compost in a tumbler can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months to finish, depending on the materials you’re using, their size, the temperature, moisture level, how often the compost is turned, and whether you continue adding fresh material.
Rather than worrying about hitting a specific number of days, I find it much more useful to look at the compost itself. Finished compost should be dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, and most of the original food scraps and garden waste should no longer be recognizable.
One thing that can slow the process considerably is continually adding new scraps to the same batch. At some point, you’ll need to stop adding fresh material and allow what’s already inside the tumbler to finish decomposing.
Composting in Different Climate Conditions
Can You Use a Compost Tumbler in Winter?
Yes, you can continue using a compost tumbler in winter, but decomposition slows considerably as temperatures drop. Here in Northeast Ohio, I don’t expect my tumbler to work nearly as quickly during the coldest part of the year as it does during warm weather.
I can still add appropriate kitchen scraps and brown materials, but I think of winter as more of a holding period than peak compost-making season. Once temperatures warm up, decomposition picks up again.
Keeping materials chopped relatively small and maintaining a good balance of greens, browns, moisture, and airflow can help, but no amount of perfect composting technique changes the fact that microorganisms work more slowly when it’s cold.
Composting in High Temperature
In high temperatures, ensure you compost pile does not dry out or overheat. Add more browns to the mix to balance out the excess moisture and heat from the greens. Avoid direct sunlight by placing the compost tumbler in a shaded spot.
By doing so, you can maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms, which helps speed up decomposition and prevents the pile from becoming too hot or smelly.
Where Should You Put a Compost Tumbler?
Put your compost tumbler somewhere that’s convenient enough that you’ll actually use it. Mine is located where I can easily bring out kitchen scraps and access the finished compost when I need it in the garden.
Choose a relatively level, stable surface with enough room to comfortably turn the tumbler and open its doors. Sun certainly can help warm the contents, but you don’t need to obsess over finding the perfect location.
I also wouldn’t hide it so far away that adding kitchen scraps becomes a chore. Convenience matters more than creating the theoretically perfect composting spot.
FAQs about Composting Tumblers
Alternatives to Tumbler Composting
If you don’t have access to a composting tumbler, using an outdoor compost bin works well as an alternative. These bins can handle large amounts of garden waste, green waste, and kitchen scraps.
To ensure optimal decomposition, make sure to place your outdoor compost bin in a good location. Direct sunlight helps speed up the process. Unlike in tumblers, an open pile is less likely to overheat. The best way to maintain a healthy compost pile is to turn it regularly with a pitchfork or shovel to aerate it.
For those who prefer a more hands-off approach, worm composters (vermiculture) are an excellent option. These composting systems use worms, typically red wigglers, to break down organic materials. When using a worm composter, make sure to provide the worms with the proper environment, such as a moist bedding material and a well-ventilated container.
I hope these composting tumbler tips help you on your composting journey! If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out in the comments!
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About the Author
Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.
Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.
