[Shamps]

Hi folks,

So what do people find is the best structure/design and so on for a composter?.  (I have some pallets and I don't want to just plonk them in any old way or have a poor structure which won't last 5 minutes)

some ideas/photos?

[noshed]

I think the pallet bin idea is the best. I'll get some pics of mine, which are quite scruffy, but I just stood 3 on their edges, drove some old piping in between the slats to keep them upright and tied them together with rope. Then you just need one for the front which can just swing like a door. I've got 4 in a row so you can shovel stuff from one bay to the other. 2 for manure and 2 for compost.
It helps if you get all the pallets the same size but that is not essential.
I cover the bays with bin bags full of plastic packing, polystyrene from work or compost bags to try to keep the heat in and the rain out.
Your man on Gardeners World made a posh version of this last week but as my friend once said to me: "It's only an allotment".

[thegarybrough]

I used an old door for the back and three pallets so I have a two bin composter. I'm still deciding if I should put a 'door' on the front which I can swing between the two sides to help get the temp up.

[hindy]

I think this would make a good idea for a photo competition. 

[pol and mick]

I think this would make a good idea for a photo competition. 

Yeah thats a great idea. i'll start a poll if you don't mind,stating it was your idea of course.

[hindy]

I think this would make a good idea for a photo competition. 

Yeah thats a great idea. i'll start a poll if you don't mind,stating it was your idea of course.

Perhaps John could make it an offical photo comp.
Why not put the idea to him.

[m1ckz]

well,,i just use an old wheeley bin,,not sure if its good or not yet  , lol ,

[sean moore]

i use a compost tumbler in 8 weeks i had the best compost ever.
the daleks can be made redundant now
regards
sean

[scabs]

Cheap, cheerful and not at all pretty, but they work just fine! 

Posts hammered in and nailed to each corner and a hinged door to the front 

[Kieron]

Interresting I was going to ask for some advice on the dual bin composter I built yesterday. Pallets were free from work and stakes £1.36 each from Scats. Chicken wire was a tenner for 10m roll. I'll grab another couple of pallets to make doors in the next day or so. Need to saw the top off the stakes too.

Was considering stuffing straw in pallets to get the heat up. Any thoughts on that?

[GrannieAnnie]

This was mine when Brian first built it, bit scruffier now though!

[scabs]

Yup, the one in the photo is one of three I ended up building, Two for compost and one for manure. I faced the insides with some old chipboard etc, which itself will rot down eventually. Stuffing the cavity with straw will certainly keep the temp up but will also serve as a lovely nest for mice and rats - with goumet food on the doorstep!

Yours both look a lot neater than mine! 

[aelf]

i use a compost tumbler in 8 weeks i had the best compost ever.
the daleks can be made redundant now
regards
sean

I was looking into that - is yours home made Sean?
I currently use builders sand sacks and cover the top with old plastic sheeting. Got 3 on the go at the moment.