[Chrysalis]

Hi Everyone,

John was testing out a hotbin composter earlier in the year. Do we know how he's got on with it, and has anyone else got experience of one - good or bad?

I've been given some dosh by my dad for my birthday and would like to spend it wisely (new laptop notwithstanding!)

Thanks C

[mumofstig]

John's review is here 
http://www.allotment-garden.org/store/reviews/HotBin-Composter.php

[Chrysalis]

Thanks, Mum!  I must have missed it before. 

 Anyone else got experience of one??

[GrowinGrowinGone]

I have seen this Hotbin advertised and seen the videos on Youtube about it, and it does look good, but expensive.  Because it generates so much heat, enough to kill weed seeds, how about couch grass?  I have just taken on another plot, and it's full of couch grass.  You can't throw couch grass root in your regular compost heap/bin, but how about the Hotbin? would it be enough to kill the root off?  I am considering getting a Hotbin anyway, but I would just like anyone's thoughts on the idea of throwing couch grass in. 

[Growster...]

We have a compost bin made from double skinned steel insulated roofing panels, the sort you may see on a supermarket roof, which is actually what they are, as they're leftovers from Hendon Homebase!

A couple of years ago, we collected several loads of fresh stable manure and straw etc, and filled one side of the double compartmented bin, and covered it with more insulation.

It got so hot that it was nearly untouchable, and it went like fury for a couple of months. However, it reduced by two thirds, and when we dug it out, it had the texture of very dry peat, but was pretty good to use!

We aren't doing this at the moment as we have some rotted stuff delivered, but you've got me thinking about next year now...

[snowdrops]

If it gets hot enough it should kill it. Perhaps John could do a trial. Drop him a PM & see what he says, I'm sure he doesn't get to read all the threads.

[GrowinGrowinGone]

How do I find John to drop him a PM? 

[Chrysalis]

Still not ordered mine yet.... Like the idea in principle.  Waiting for a sale!  I think couch grass woud be broken down enough, but we give ours to the hens.  They love it.  You can also eat it in salads (according to Tudor Monastery Farm!) 

Just need to find space to put the hotbin, too....

[snowdrops]

How do I find John to drop him a PM?

Find one of his posts( he was on the pets thread the other day) & click on him & then you can PM him or what about the home/diary page can you email him from there

[GrowinGrowinGone]

Thanks snowdrops, I will do that

[GrowinGrowinGone]

Just in case anyone else wonders if they could put couch grass in the Hotbin, I sent John a PM and he replied saying he has put couch grass in before and it was no problem.   

[Yorkie]

Yes, a hotbin should get to sufficient temperature to see off the couch grass.  The trouble is with colder compost heaps which - in my experience - aren't sufficiently hot.