[Yorkie]

I was wondering what do people use to mix their compost up?

I can't face emptying my dalek bin, forking it over and stuffing it back in again.

Is there anything useful which I can use instead?

[Eristic]

Unfortunately dalek bins were designed primarily with sales in mind and mundane problems like getting the stuff out again were not considered important.

I use the Moriati method. Throw all the material into an open builders bulk sandbag till its full then start another.  Then its a matter of periodically forking it out of one bag into the next in rotation.

[Trillium]

I have 2 daleks which are a bigger pain than they're worth so I'm building a 2nd large wooden compost bin next to the first one so that I can wing the contents of the first into the 2nd, thus 'turning' it and starting fresh again in bin 1 which is closer to the house. The daleks will hold slower decomposing stuff like twigs and such. Only sort of 'easy' bin is the tumbling one but I've no personal experience with it. I'd guess you couldn't load them more than half or you couldn't rotate it.

[compostqueen]

I have a pallet compo bin which I made but they are slow as the heat escapes through the gaps unless you cover them with plastic or some such

Daleks get red hot, stuff composts quick.  I stir the top stuff periodically and jab holes through it to get some air in. Take stuff from the bottom hatch when it's cooked.  I have loads of compost bins. People give them to me for rehoming  :oops:

[courgette]

is it worth buying an aerator for the compost bin? Been using a garden fork, but wondered if I should invest in a proper aerator if its gonna be easier :?:

[Eristic]

Composting the easy way. No cost, no science, no nonsense.

Moriatis Composting Method

[noshed]

It will only take you about 30 mins to sort your dalek bin out. Just tip it right over, drag the contents over a bit with your fork, put the bin back where it was and shovel everything back in again. It will go off nicely then and be ready for spreading soon.

[Yorkie]

Thanks, noshed.

I probably ought to see what's in the bin and whether it can be used on the plot yet, anyway.

No substitute for hard work, is there!

[LILACSPLASH]

It will only take you about 30 mins to sort your dalek bin out. Just tip it right over, drag the contents over a bit with your fork, put the bin back where it was and shovel everything back in again. It will go off nicely then and be ready for spreading soon.

Yeah...did it twice now took all afternoon

[noshed]

Yer a slow digger!

[LILACSPLASH]

Big pile :roll: and lots of "help" from the compost kid. She's 3 and just loves the taste :shock:

[noshed]

Glad you're training her well

[flash]

I have stuffed the sides of my pallet compost bins with old news papers and then wrapped them in some recycled plastic sheeting, (the stuff they put around scaffolding), A slat front entrance, double plastic lid and it's snug.
I must get out more...........

[compo]

Did my 3 with pallets, stuffed some roofing isulation into the gaps, then stapled black plastic round the sides, with plastic on top of the heap. It steams on a cold day

[cortina1498]

I use 2 small 'T' hinges welded to a metal tube, when you push it into the compost the hinges fold against the tube and when you pull it out the hinges open up to a stop welded on the bottom of the pole.