Comments on: That’s Not a Moon…

By: KoKo

KoKo — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:15:19 +0000

Improvised composters, like that wire mesh cylinder, don’t work as well, or as rapidly, or in as cold weather. A good composter has to retain moisture and heat, but allow the compost to be mixed and turned easily.

But this spherical design is kind of gimmicky, it seems to me. Sure, a solid sphere retains heat better than a solid cylinder, but this composter isn’t filled solid with compost. It is half full at most (or else turning it won’t mix the compost.) A tapered, fat cylinder would have nearly the same heat retention, but would be simpler to build and possibly easier to use.

By: Zathrus

Zathrus — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:50:58 +0000

The couple times I’ve built a compost bin it’s cost <$5 — some weed fabric on the ground, and some wire mesh in a cylinder of however big you want. Turn with pitchfork.

Created some great compost at our previous house. With this house we don’t have an easy way to get to a compost bin.

By: Mr. Peepers.

Mr. Peepers. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:36:36 +0000

I can’t imagine it’s all that easy to rotate on that stand. It’s a fairly smooth surface, other than the air holes, and I wouldn’t want to stick my fingers in those.

By: Jim K.

Jim K. — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:02:29 +0000

OMFG it’s the Death Star!

By: Benjamen Johnson

Benjamen Johnson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:28:41 +0000

@Matt:

Thanks for catching that. You are absolutely correct. A sphere has the minimum surface to volume ratio.

I was thinking ahead of what I was writing. I was thinking about maximizing the amount of heat it retains, or minimizing heat loss if you will. I just didn’t catch it when I went back to proof read the post.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:21:37 +0000

“The spherical shape maximizes the ratio of surface area to volume”
My math is pretty rusty but I thought a sphere MINIMIZES the ratio of surface area to volume. Isn’t that the reason Dome Homes are so energy efficient?

Let’s hear from a proud geek.

By: bidwell

bidwell — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:38:56 +0000

Why buy it? because it rolls easy, no more turning with a pitchfork. Although I could get the same functionality with a used pickle barrel if I hadn’t used all mine for rain barrels.

By: CP

CP — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:33:20 +0000

KMR
Didn’t you know, being green now a days, means spending tons of green?

By: KMR

KMR — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:24:32 +0000

Why do so many wanna-be greenies buy premade plastic compost bins for 100s of dollars?

I built a very easy compost bin about two years ago out of 2×2 Cedar, some threaded rod, some flat washers and nuts. I’ve got a full shop and the only tools I needed were a chop saw to cut the cedar to length and a drill to drill the holes in the cedar to run the threaded rod through.

I don’t think I spent more than $40 on the thing. It is 2ftx2ftx2ft. I’ve never managed to fill it up more than half way with household compost (I do not put my grass or leaves in it).

By: Toolhearty

Toolhearty — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:41:05 +0000

I so want one, just because of the look of the thing.

By: Mike47

Mike47 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:30:43 +0000

“hello, Homeland Security? I think my neighbor has a nuclear weapon in his back yard. Yes, it’s big, round and black, and has legs. What? Call who? Clark Pest Control? O.K., bye.”