Couperman Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 We've just taken delivery of our new Bokashi Kitchen composter bins and started one off. Has anybody got one of these? It says that they don't smell so they can be kept inside, I am sceptical about that as the instructions for the wormery said that and that is now outside due to fruit flys! Still waiting for our two new garden compost bins to help deal with the chicken poo! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 They look good......Have to let us know how you get on.......Can you put cooked food in that type or only raw??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 26, 2007 Author Share Posted July 26, 2007 You can put all kitchen food waste/s"Ooops, word censored!"s in it including meat and fish cooked and uncooked. It says you gradually fill it up sprinkling the bran on top as you go. Once it is full you leave the lid on for two weeks whilst using the other on and then tip it in your normal compost bin or bury it in you flower beds. I think we will still put peelings and stuff in the wormery and use the composter to deal with cooked food s"Ooops, word censored!"s and the like. I will let you know how we get on. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Mine lives under the sink until full then on my back step till it goes to the compost heap. I alternate two buckets, one inside, one on the back step which is very sheltered. I can say that till opened we have never smelt anything, and even when you do open it it's only a slightly sweet and sour smell. The liquid you drain off can be a bit wiffy sometimes but since that goes down the drains mainly it's no problem. I love ours they literally do take anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 The liquid you drain off can be a bit wiffy sometimes but since that goes down the drains mainly it's no problem. I love ours they literally do take anything Just wondering if you could do anything with the 'liquer' rather than put down the drains. i.e. dilute and use as a fertiliser. I think with the 'can'o'worms' wormary Wiggly suggest diluting the resulting liquid with water to use as a fertilizer so more useful than putting down the drains. Sorry, my anarak creeping in here - the liquid will have a high BOD value (biochemical oxygen demand) that will need to be treated at the local water treatment plant before it can be discharged safely to recieving waters. If you are lucky enough to have a conventional compost heap this liquid can also be sprinkled over and will help to speed up the composting process. Just a thought? E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 this is slightly off topic, but since you've just mentioned flushing things down the drains ... something I am very conscious of. My house has a waste disposal unit (an 'Inksinkerator'), which was fitted by the previous owners. I compost vegetable waste, but put some s"Ooops, word censored!"s down the sink -I checked on the manufacturers' website and they say that because it is ground into very fine particles, it doesn't cause problems (that's a bit waffly, it was more scientific than that but I can't remember!) What's the real story - you sound like someone who knows about water pollution, Elaine? Apologies for hijacking your thread, Couperman - I am very interested in the bokashi question as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 26, 2007 Author Share Posted July 26, 2007 No Probs Olly I do it all the time! The bumf with the Bokashi composter claims that the tapped off smelly effluent has drain cleaning properties due to the high levels of bran based microbes present. Don't know how they work that out! I always thought fertiliser down drain = algal bloom in river = low oxygen = dead river! or less severe variations of the same! Ours will go on the garden with the worm wee! I reckon we might be exporting compost some time next year. I also think you should get a reduction in your council tax if you don't put anything in the bin! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Just out of interest, where did you buy your Bokashi composter from? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 26, 2007 Author Share Posted July 26, 2007 It was on a leaflet sent out by the council, we bought an extra couple of compost bins to deal with the chicken poo as well! Here is the link www.recyclenow.com/compost Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Thanks - will go take a look Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 I've been using Bokashi Bins for a year or so now. I got mine from Wiggly Wigglers. They are very good, and don't smell at all whilst the lid is on. They smell a bit vinegary when opened. I keep mine in the kitchen and have had no probs at all with flies. The "Bin Juice" makes an effective fertiliser, but it is very strong and must be diluted 100:1. You can also put it onto your compost heap to activate it. The Bokashi "compost" doesn't look like normal compost, it looks more like a weird pickle. Either put it on your normal compost heap, or bury it, in a thin layer so that the soil organisms can get to it. Leave for at least 10 days before planting anything in that particular spot though, as it will be too acidic. Bokashi Bran can be a bit expensive. Sometimes you can get a bargain on Ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 this is slightly off topic, but since you've just mentioned flushing things down the drains ... something I am very conscious of. My house has a waste disposal unit (an 'Inksinkerator'), which was fitted by the previous owners. I compost vegetable waste, but put some s"Ooops, word censored!"s down the sink -I checked on the manufacturers' website and they say that because it is ground into very fine particles, it doesn't cause problems (that's a bit waffly, it was more scientific than that but I can't remember!) What's the real story - you sound like someone who knows about water pollution, Elaine? Apologies for hijacking your thread, Couperman - I am very interested in the bokashi question as well! Right, I'll admit to not being an expert about water pollution - my field is waste in general, currenlty a waste licensing officer (write the licence conditons for applications for licences for anything from waste transfer sites to composting sites and others) in the Environment Agency but I've been studying with the OU to get a degree in Environmental studies and along the way have qualified for a Diploma in Pollution Control. These studies have included a detailed look at water treatment plants, the science of pollution, water amongst other sources etc and also the problems encountered by treatment works. So feel maybe a little qualified to add some value to these discussions. You are right to be concious of flushing stuff down the drains - it all takes extra treatment at treatment plants to clean water up to the standards required by legislation for discharge to recieving waters an especially for potable supply. In the case of your sink disposal unit I would say that it doesnt really matter whether the waste organic matter is ground into very fine particles or not. The bottom line is that that organic matter is entering the public treatment system (it's the organic content that that causes the high BOD values in the system and will need to be dealt with at the treatment plant) Would be interested in what the manufacturers website says about this though. Perhaps you could give me a link for me to look at. I'm also not convinced ty the claim that the effluent has drain cleaning properties due to the high levels of barn based microbes present (Your assement is correct Couperman and describes the effects of nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) that can't always be corrected effectivly by water treatment plants) So - just be careful what you do put down drains! Unused pesticides etc from domestic use are another source of problems to treatment works. The best solution for these are to take to your local Civic amenitiy site (now called household wastes recycling Centres appraently!) who will have lock up facilities to store for disposal. I think you are right Eglutine. The bokashi effecitvly 'pickles' the food waste so that this can be dug directly into the soil (according to the bumph from wiggley but you know differently!) without the longer time required for full degredation. The juice will almost certainly aid the compost bin. The current 'in thing' for landfill sites and composting sites is 'leachate recirculation' - basically using the liquid collected due to the natural degredation process to enhance further microbial activity aiding decomposition. Well, help this helps and hopeuflly I've not been too much of an anarack Applogieies if I have been. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 got the rest of the composter stuff today and a really cute "kitchen caddy" if a kitchen caddy can be cute????? filled up half of the bokashi unit last night with bits from tea - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 umm ... well, now I read it again, actually the 'environmental benefits' are mostly that it keeps food waste out of landfill! In fact, some councils are actually paying people to install these. I don't put anything down there that I could compost, as a rule, but it is handy for e.g. uneaten cat-food or meat s"Ooops, word censored!"s ... and it does mean that I will never get a blocked sink again! I would like to get an idea about it though, because if this is really not good then I will stop using it. If I don't put these things down there, then they will go in the bin, which goes to landfill. Which is worse? You can read about it here - I'd be really grateful to know what you think, Elaine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/in_your_area/in_your_area.html If you put in your postcode and then select additional bins, you can buy them online for £24 which is a great price, plus you can also buy the extra bran that goes with them....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 That's what I did! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 umm ... well, now I read it again, actually the 'environmental benefits' are mostly that it keeps food waste out of landfill! In fact, some councils are actually paying people to install these. I don't put anything down there that I could compost, as a rule, but it is handy for e.g. uneaten cat-food or meat s"Ooops, word censored!"s ... and it does mean that I will never get a blocked sink again! I would like to get an idea about it though, because if this is really not good then I will stop using it. If I don't put these things down there, then they will go in the bin, which goes to landfill. Which is worse? You can read about it here - I'd be really grateful to know what you think, Elaine! Hi It is a tough call to know which is worse landfill or drain? Both as potentially as bad as each other! Though the amount of organic waste going to your drain via the disposal unit (based on your useage) is probably not very much at all. But if this is multiplied in your area could amount to a more significant amount to be treated. I've had a really quick look at the link (a bit late now so only skimmed) but suspect that the reason many councils may be supporting this unit is because of the limits for biodegradable waste (and in future) that are allowed in landfill sites and that they have made no plans to deal with this sort of waste. Sort of shifts the burden. My council have recently introduced kitchen waste bins that get emptied every week. To be honest most weeks I have nothing put in (yeah, must be my good cooking that not a lot of left overs ) The only stuff that goes in is left over meat and bones. The rest either goes to the compost or for the the girls. But I can see that the cost of this service is high for councils. There's no facility in Surrey that can deal with kitchen waste as it requires higher composting standards than green waste composting so is shipped to Dorset to be composted (so how environmentally friendly is that?) Hence other councils looking for possible alternative solutions I guess. Sorry, didn't mean to worry you Olly, just wanted to point out that we need to be careful about what goes down the drains. And as I say the small amount you put into your disposal unit is probably negliable. If you are worried then maybe the bokashi bin could be a solution. The products of the 'pickled' cat food and meat could safely be added to your conventional compost heap after the two weeks or so recommented, along with the liquid it produces. I've not got one of these myself but had we not had the kitchen waste collections is something I would have definately considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I'm really grateful for your comments Elaine ... I need to decide whether the small amounts I put down are acceptable, or whether I should start a bokashi bin now. It's a bit worrying that these councils are recommending it simply to reduce landfill, without considering the other potential issues! Like most green issues, there's no straightforward answer (and remarkably little guidance). As you say, shipping stuff off to the other side of the country for disposal isn't particularly green - but better than burying it. One small change I've made recently is to buy bio-degradable bin-liners. I put remarkably little rubbish in the landfill bin, and am trying to reduce it even further - but at least there won't be any bin-bags rotting away with it. I'm going to think about the waste disposal, anyway - thanks for drawing this to my attention and attempting to answer my questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Has anyone used either the Green Cone or Green Johanna methods? See ...here... I quite like the look of both of these. The Green Cone will will also digest dog and cat poo. They are expensive, but can be bought at a discount from ...Recyclenow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I can't find where it says about dog and cat poo?.... - I clicked on 'more info', but still can't find it. Off topic - sorry - but ........ we tried to train Jazz to use one place but it meant standing around waiting....... and animals needed feeding......... so she will wee to order but not poo to order. All the poo is picked up in bio-degradable bags. Would the green cone cope with dog poo in these bags? The original plan was to put the Dog Loo near her designated place and scoop it in. .....would a green cone cope with mostly dog poo? - all the rest usually goes to compost/feed hens or pigs (not meat of course) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 It mentions disposal of pet poo here and here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Ah! Animal Excrement - I was speed reading for the wrong words! Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 We bought a Green Cone from our Council two and a half years ago for £5. It was sited in a sunny spot and worked really well for 6months until Winter set in and it got colder. the waste stopped rotting away. We haven't used it since Only yesterday I had a peep inside, there is still food stuff which has not rotted and has been there for 2 years. On top of the pile are a few eggs which I had to throw away when one of my girls was on medication We really need to take the top off the unit and dig out the waste and dig that into the garden (the info sheet advise this if it is slow to work). I am really scared of what I might find under the pile of waste We did throw in cooked chicken carcasses, they might still be there I do know people round here that have them and they haven't had any trouble with them I don't know wht we did wrong I have been on the recycle now site and am thinking of getting the Bokashi composter. Our household wheelie bin gets emptied every 2 weeks and it can get a bit smelly with the waste food in there. You can put small amounts of dog poop in the green cone. Just gald we didn't Can you imagine digging that out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 um........... So it looks like we're stuck with 2 bags of dog poop a day then I'll go and read more about the dog loo and see if it will cope with bagged poo. I don't like putting it in the ordinary refuse bin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Lesley im not sure if the dog loo will take bags at all. Is it a 'clean green dog loo'? If so i think its just the poo itself and a little bit of bio-activator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
