Compost is the black gold of the garden. The nutrient-rich humus is a crucial supplement for your garden and lawn. The natural formula provides plants with the fuel they need for maximum growth and vitality.  Compost regenerates depleted soil and is ideal for the environment.

Compost can be made by creating a simple homemade compost pile, but for many of us, maintaining a compost pile is not the best option. A compost pile usually requires a large space, it is exposed to the elements and can attract vermin and pests.

Using a compost bin in your garden is a more convenient way to make compost. Compost bins come in various designs and sizes to suit different needs.

 

Home Composting Options

Other than creating a compost pile, there are four main options:

• Stationary bins – some bin is designed with ventilation and a bottom opening to help with accessing matured compost.
• Compost Tumblers – designed to make the process of turning and mixing compost mixture easier. Tumblers reduce the time it takes for organic matter to turn into compost.
• Kitchen composters, like Bokashi bins. Read about bokashi bins here.
• Vermicomposting / Worm farms. Read about worm farms here.

 

A Guide to Maze Compost Bins

There are a few things to consider when choosing a compost bin including functionality, size/space, and budget. To make choosing the right type of compost bin for you easier, we made a list of different bins that we offer so you can compare and choose the best option for your garden.

View our full range of compost bins

 

Stationary Compost Bins

 

 Green Johanna Outdoor Compost Bin

Specifications:

• Height: 94cm
• Base Diameter: 82cm
• Lid Diameter: 54cm
• Volume: 330lt
• Weight: 10kg

Features:

• Ventilation system regulated by the lockable lid to adjust air circulation and temperature.
• Sectional construction.
• Round shape to ensure no cold corners and even distribution of heat.
• Sliding doors on two sides to make inspection and collection easy.
• Base plate with 4.5mm holes to allow good ventilation.
• Base plate with 4 x inward facing air vents to promote upward air flow

 

The Green Johanna is a hot compost bin. It is designed to create a warmer inner environment to speed up microbial activity and the process of breaking up organic matter.

The bin is designed to compost both garden and kitchen waste including meat, bones, dairy and fish.

Features include air adjustable vents to promote air circulation, which important for creating compost, bottom sliding doors to access matured compost and rodent proof design.

View the Green Johanna Outdoor Compost Bin

 

Dirt Vader Compost Bin

Specifications:

• Measurements: 70cm (l) x 70cm (w) x 75cm (h)
• Made in Australia
• 100% UV stabilized recycled plastic

Features:

• Composts 220lt of food scraps and garden waste.
• Rigid walls reinforced with 12 x zinc plated bolts.
• Easy on ground installation and harvesting.
• Sturdy design.
• 2 year warranty.
• Easy assembly in minutes.

The Dirt Vader compost bin is made in Australia and is designed to withstand the Australian climate. It is made from 100% recycled plastic which a big plus for a product that promotes sustainability.

 

View the Dirt Vader Compost Bin

 

466lt Earthmaker Compost Bin

 

Specifications:

• Height: 1200mm
• Capacity: 466lt
• Weight: 17kg

Features:

• Large 466lt capacity.
• Three chamber maturation process.
• Enables separation of new and old organic waste.
• Produces nutrient rich compost in as little as 10 weeks.
• Large access and collection areas.
• Well ventilated.

The Earthmaker compost bin is very large compared to most other home compost bins. It has a unique design that aims at producing large amount of compost in relatively short time.

It’s unique design includes three internal chambers, where each chamber holds organic matter in different stage of the composting process. The chambered design helps separating old and new organic waste to effectively speed up the natural process of compost creation.

A large bottom hatch makes the collection of matured compost easier.

 

View the 466lt Earthmaker Compost Bin

 

Aerobin Compost Bin (200lt or 400lt)

 

 

Specifications:

• Capacity: 200lt / 400lt
• Weight: 15kg (200lt) / 32.6kg (400lt)
• Dimensions assembled: 51cm x 51cm x 117.5cm (200lt) / 74cm x 74cm x 120cm (400lt)

Features:

• Aeration Lung (no manual intervention).
• A suite of patented features.
• Insulated walls and lid – supporting year round composting.
• Aerobic composting of both kitchen and garden waste.
• Moisture recirculation system.
• Leachate Reservoir to collect liquid nutrients.
• 2 x convenient access doors.
• High operating temperatures to kill weeds & pathogens.
• Vermin and pet resistant.
• Easy to assemble

The Aerobin compost bin is a ‘hot composting’ bin. The thermal insulation in the Aerobin stabilizes temperature all year round to create the perfect environment for “hot composting”, a process which not only speeds up the time needed to break down organic matter but also kill any dangerous pathogens, weeds and seeds that could potentially be a risk to your garden.

Aerobin comes in two sizes, 200lt and 400lt. Unlike some other outdoor composters, the Aerobin should be placed on a hard surface such as concrete, bricks or heavy timber rather than directly on soil or lawn.

The Aerobin is designed with a unique self-aeration lung that means that you don’t have to turn the compost manually.

Aerobin was tested and endorsed by Swinburne University of Technology, Environment and Biotechnology Centre in Australia.

View the Aerobin Compost Bin

 

 

600lt Eco King Compost Bin

 

Specifications:

• Dimensions assembled: 80cm x 80cm x 95cm
• Dimension of box: 82cm x 18cm x 94cm
• Weight: 12.1kg
• Colour: BLACK
• Made in Germany

 

Features:

• Two large flaps for addition of organic waste
• Easy and convenient assembly without tools
• Fast composting
• Large hatch with handle for easy collection
• Effective ventilation
• Space efficient
• Base available to provide extra protection against vermin infestation

The Eco King composter is a large and simple compost bin. Its large capacity makes ideal for storing and processing large amount of garden and kitchen waste.

Its simple design includes large top opening for easy addition of waste and a large bottom flap for collecting matured compost.

It also includes ventilation ports throughout to ensure a good supply of oxygen reaches the maturing compost.

 

 View the Eco King Compost Bin

 

Tumbling Compost Bins

Compost tumblers are designed to speed up the composting process and to make it easier to mix the compost. Tumbling the compost drum helps with aeration which is important for the composting process.

Another advantage of tumblers is easier access to ready compost, as you can usually easily fit a wheelbarrow or a garden cart under the tumbler.

On the downside, many stationary compost bins are larger so can hold more waste. Tumblers may also be more expensive for same size composter as they are more complex to manufacture.

 

Single 100lt Compost Tumbler / Dual 200lt Compost Tumbler

 

Specifications:

• Dimensions assembled: 56cm x 70cm x 102cm (single) / 95cm x 70cm x 102cm (dual).
• Weight: 8kg (single) / 11kg (dual).

Features:

• Includes buckle for lid locking strap
• 2 x drums ensure NO RECYCLING DOWNTIME!! (dual tumbler)
• Can be placed anywhere (does not need to be on soil)
• Slim and Narrow Design
• Stand can be used for Single or Twin Tumblers
• Easy to assemble
• Made in Australia

This simple compost tumbler is one of the fastest and most effective means of creating compost on the market.

A versatile design allows to easily install an additional drum and convert the single tumbler to a dual composter to increase composting quantities and speed up the composting process.

 

View this Compost Tumbler

 

160lt ROTO Twin Composter

 

Specifications:

• Made from recycled plastic & BPA free
• Dimensions assembled: 66cm (D) x 73cm (L) x 93cm (H)
• Weight: 12.6kg

Features:

• Two chamber design (cure one batch and keep adding to the other)
• 2 Sliding doors
• Rodent proof design
• Built in churners for faster composting
• Easy to turn barrel
• Easy to assemble
• Effective ventilation
• Strong and rigid frame powder-coated frame
• Space efficient
• BPA free

Like other tumbling composters, the ROTO twin composter, aims at reducing composting time. The two chamber design gives the option of having one chamber to be filled while the other is curing.

This composter includes 2 sliding doors for easy access, built in churners for faster composting, multiple ventilation ports and a powder coated metal frame.

 

View the 160lt ROTO Twin Composter

 

 

245lt Maze Compost Tumbler

 

Specifications:

• Capacity: 245lt
• Dimensions: 105cm (W) x 71cm (D) x 113cm (H)
• Weight: 24KG
• UV protected
• Frame: Zinc powder coated

Features:

• 245lt capacity
• Extra strong barrel and frame
• Gear and crank system with handle to allow for effort free rotation
• Built in ratchet lock to prevent backwards rotation of the barrel
• Open frame design to allow for the easy collection of ready to use compost.
• Plenty of room for a compost cart or bucket to slide in underneath
• Sliding access doors
• Rodent proof
• Multiple adjustable air vents
• UV protected
• Divider included to allow for the creation of 2 x separate compartments
• Zinc and powder coated
• Designed in Australia

 

Maze 245lt compost tumbler is well designed compost tumbler. It was designed with faster and easier composting in mind.

A key feature is the two compartments which means you never stop composting. When the first compartment is full, you start on the second compartment. Once this side is full the first side is ready to empty, and the cycle continues.

A unique feature is the gear and handle which ensures easier turning of the drum and the geared ratchet will automatically lock rotation in any position.

 

This tumbler was developed and designed in Australia by Maze. The unique design aims at making composting as easy as possible by utilising two chambers, easily rotating system and an easy to access collection point under the tumbler, where matured compost can be transferred straight into to a cart or bucket.

View the 245lt Maze Compost Tumbler

 

180lt Geared Twin Compost Tumbler

 

Specifications:

Features:

The 180lt Geared Compost Tumbler by Maze transforms leftover waste and garden refuse into a rich, nutrient dense compost with next to no effort at all.

A key feature is the two compartments which means you never stop composting. When the first compartment is full, you start on the second compartment. Once this side is full the first side is ready to empty, and the cycle continues.

The strong reinforced barrel has been UV protected and contains multiple air vents to promote aerobic decomposition. The large opening and sliding doors allow for the easy addition of waste and collection of ready compost.

A very unique feature is the gear and handle which ensures easier turning of the drum and the geared ratchet will automatically lock rotation in any position.

The frame is powder coated zinc and its open front design allows for the easy access for collection of ready to use compost from the barrel with plenty of room for a compost cart or bucket to slide in underneath. By rotating the door to face down you are able to slide the door open and let the compost fall into the cart.

Developed and designed in Australia by Maze, the new 180lt Tumbler is sure to take care of all your composting needs for a very long time.

View the 180lt Geared Compost Tumbler

 

Pros and Cons of Composters vs. Tumblers

 

Stationary Compost Bin Pros:

• Can be more affordable when comparing to a tumbler of similar size.
• Some models are much larger compared to tumblers.
• Excess moisture drains away readily.

Compost Bin Cons:

• Some products made of thin plastic which does not withstand weather extremes well.
• Access of the compost is more difficult compared to a tumbler.
• Some models are not as rodent proof.

Compost Tumbler Pros:

• Sealed drum.
• Rapid compost process.
• Easy to access compost.
• Continuous use models (such as the 245lt Maze Compost Tumbler) keeps finished compost separate from food scraps.
• Usually more pest proof.
• Typically more durable, robust construction compared to a stationary bin.

Compost Tumbler Cons:

• More expensive, compared to a compost bin of similar size.
• Certain models might be difficult to spin when ⅔ full.

 

View our full range of compost bins