Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin

  • 5 Replies
  • 3622 Views
*

cammi

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Lincolnshire
  • 244
Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin
« on: September 01, 2014, 16:44 »
For cheapness I am looking at making a row of three compost bins out of pallets. While googling this I came across one idea, where they staple chicken wire on the inside and then stuff the cavity of the pallet with straw for insulation.  Sounds good in principle, has anyone tried this idea?  Would I just be making a cosy rat house? Currently use a black darlek type, no rat problems.

Also these bins made out of pallets look huge, will they be too large to actually heat up and work.  There will be kitchen compost from a family of four, chicken poo and bedding and shrub cuttings, but we have no grass clipping.  Could put in loads of weeds, lol, but not sure if thats recommended or not really.

Thanks in advance, for any pearls you wish to share

11 Chickens (Rhode Rock, Bluebell, Copper Black, Columbine, Coucou, Mystery Hen, Clarance Court, Araucana, brown hen ) , 3 Cats (1 mog, 1 bengal, 1 Bengal x),  2 Little Boys, 1 dog (Golden Retriever) and 1 Husband

*

archibtbm

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: west yorkshire
  • 876
Re: Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2014, 20:19 »
I tried pallets stuffed with cardboard without much success, not heard about using straw.  I now have a large compost bin made using metal sheeting, so I don't think the size is the issue.  The heap needs layering with green and brown material, green is veg matter and brown being paper type.  I have used cardboard and shredded paper for the brown material and found it works well. I tend to find  towards the end of the season there is plenty to compost and when I add it to the composting stuff, that's when the heap gets quite hot.  Providing the heap gets hot weeds can be used, minus the roots on though :-)

*

Ma Lowe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Nottinghamshire
  • 3031
  • Allotment owner from Feb 2014
Re: Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2014, 07:52 »
We have compost bins made form pallets and lined with some wire mesh we had from the chicken house we dismantled. It's worked ok for us without having to fill the gaps with straw or cardboard. The compost pile benefits from a good turning over every one and again too which helps to speed up the composting  :)

*

JayG

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: South West Sheffield
  • 16722
Re: Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2014, 09:49 »
If the straw layer was thick enough to provide effective insulation it would probably also seriously restrict the amount of air getting into the compost material, and air is essential for fast, aerobic, hot composting however well you chose the ingredients.

I'd use a crowbar or similar to poke some holes through the gaps in the pallets right into the middle to improve aeration, and re-poke at regular intervals to make sure they were kept open.

Annual weeds are OK, but if they have gone to seed you are taking a risk if the heap doesn't heat up enough to kill them.
Sow your seeds, plant your plants. What's the difference? A couple of weeks or more when answering possible queries!

One of the best things about being an orang-utan is the fact that you don't lose your good looks as you get older

*

jrko

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Newhaven, East Sussex
  • 1059
Re: Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2014, 08:59 »
Bob Flowerdew's little book on composting recomends:

Pallet sides with slats facing downwards
Newspaper scrunched up as loose insulator
Snug fitting top as heat rises and to keep rain off. 

The single most important panel is the top as this covers the very core of the heap.  Even with no insulation around the sides more heat is lost upwards (like from our heads).  Carpet lets water through and so isn't great.  A purpose cut board with polystyrene underneath and a plastic sheeting on top to ensure water runoff works a treat

Oh and bigger heaps are always better as the are naturally more insulated and have a larger core.  Get yourself a crosscut shredder an use every paper you get - envelopes, bank statements. Bren complement this with scavenging ALL green wast from your kitchen.  And remember to cut it up small - small = more surface area = more room for composting bugs  :D

Hello.  My name is James, the builder of Evil Shed mkII and The Greenhouse of Doom.  Please enjoy the madness of my Plot Diary here:
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=107298.0

*

compostqueen

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 16597
Re: Pallets stuffed with straw for a compost bin
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2014, 09:53 »
I keep my pallet bin covered by a many folded up tarp sheet held down by bricks.  I keep it prodded and water it if it gets dry  :)



xx
Compost bin from pallets.

Started by Kleftiwallah on Design and Construction

1 Replies
1891 Views
Last post November 16, 2010, 19:02
by compostqueen
xx
Quick Compost Heap No Pallets

Started by TerryB on Design and Construction

10 Replies
3963 Views
Last post August 19, 2011, 16:24
by Aunt Sally
xx
Ive built my compost bins with pallets, lined them with cardboard but.....

Started by Paul Canning on Design and Construction

25 Replies
7709 Views
Last post January 04, 2011, 14:07
by bigben
xx
pallets pallets MORE blooming

Started by muntjac on Design and Construction

16 Replies
8989 Views
Last post November 05, 2007, 08:51
by Selkie
 

Page created in 0.138 seconds with 41 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |