FAQ's RSS

Yes. You should mix enough bulking agent and shredded paper with your waste to aid aeration. However, woodchips shouldn’t be used as a base layer, so please do not tip the entire contents of the bag into the HOTBIN to get it started.FYI. Bulking Agent is just a fancy term for a chipped woody material or mulch. The HOTBIN requires bulking agent to keep the bin aerated and the bacteria fed with oxygen. The structure of the bulking agent is such that it creates air pockets in the waste to allow oxygen to flow in and around keeping bacteria composting aerobically and...

What's the Best Waste to Add? When starting your HOTBIN remember it will be easiest if you:  Add plenty of waste and The waste is easy to digest (easy to digest waste produces heat faster). There are two main methods for starting the HOTBIN. The route you choose depends on the waste you have available and to some extent, your views on food waste. For ease, we have used the two terms 'patient' and 'fast' to describe the methods. 1. Patient – “I don’t have much waste” Fill the HOTBIN like any other compost bin, add waste 'as you have it' with bulking agent and shredded paper and let it build...

Getting up to temperature Occasionally, despite following the set up guidelines (per the instruction manual), some customers struggle to get the HOTBIN up to 104 to 140°F. We understand that this can be frustrating... here is some help. We have a lot of composting expertise to call on and are confident in our BRAND promise that we can get all customers hot composting given they have enough waste. The answers below work for hot composting in the HOTBIN. The advice might not match your past composting experience. Please stick with us – the answers are based on the natural science governing...

Occasionally, despite following the set-up guidelines (per the instruction manual), some customers struggle to get the HOTBIN up to 104 to 140°F. We appreciate that this can be frustrating and are here to help. We have a lot of composting expertise to call on and are confident in our brand promise that we can get all customers hot composting given they have enough waste. Take An Internal Temperature Reading The lid thermometer is good for giving an estimated temperature reading inside the HOTBIN. For an accurate temperature reading, we would always recommend taking an internal temperature reading as the two...

HOTBIN Leachate Collection System During the composting process, water is released and much of this water is removed as steam through the valve in the lid. However, any excess water drains down towards the ground, and dissolves to form a dark brown liquid. This liquid is a fertilizer also known as leachate. HOTBIN models Mini (26 Gal.) and MK2 (52 Gal.) feature a much-requested leachate collection system, which consists of a valve to collect this liquid fertilizer that is naturally created as part of the HOTBIN composting process, and can be used as a liquid fertilizer. Users will normally get a small amount (approx. 1 cup) of...