How To Fast Start Your HOTBIN Composter

If you have enough waste (approximately 16 in. deep on your bin) you can get your HOTBIN steaming in 2-3 days. However, if you have less waste, no worries... you can get there as well, just keep feeding your HOTBIN. The following describes how to reach composting temperatures of 104°F to 140°F in 2-3 days or as soon as 2-3 weeks.

Fast Start

1. Add twigs on the bottom of the bin
2. Create a base layer 16 in. deep (high) with a mix of kitchen and garden waste, shredded paper and mulch in the proportions suggested in your guide (for each caddy/bucket of waste, add 1/2 caddy/bucket of shredded paper, and 1/5 caddy/bucket of mulch. Gently stir it to mix well,
3. Wipe any mess from around the rim of the HOTBIN to avoid attracting unwanted animals, and close the lid tightly.
4. Check internal temperature with your extra thermometer 2-3 days later. You will see the temperature on your thermometer rising between 104°F and 140°F. Once you get your HOTBIN steaming... it is a smooth ride!

Slow Start

1. If you have less waste… no worries, you can achieve the same results in 2-3 weeks.
2. Add twigs on the bottom of the bin
3. Ad waste as you have it, along with the right amount of shredded paper and mulch. Try adding waste 2-3 times per week.
4. Mix each new batch  with a good stir to mix the waste with the shredded paper and mulch, using the rake provided.
5. Wipe any mess from around the rim of the HOTBIN to avoid attracting unwanted animals, and close the lid tightly.
6. You should see temperatures rising between 104°F and 140°F in 2-3 weeks(or before).

Suggested waste to add:

• Freshly mowed grass
• Vegetable peelings and off cuts
• Fruit peeling and their skins including citrus
• Spoiled fallen fruit roughly chopped
• Leftovers and stale food including bread
• Tea bags and coffee grinds
• Mulched leaves
• Any nettles and comfrey
• Dead flowers and their stems
• Chicken pellets and/or blood bone meal
• Handful of twigs and pruning’s

For more information watch our video