mbg contributor
mbg contributor
Lauren David is a Chilean-American freelance writer. He writes about gardening, food, health and wellness and sustainability. He has appeared in Allrecipes, Greatist, The Healthy, The Kitchn and many more.
Image by Nabi Tang | / Stocky
May 29, 2022
Ready to turn your food scraps into compost without too much effort? Consider vermicomposting, or worm composting — a method where worms break down organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil modifier, often called black gold.
If you are ready to start your vermicomposting journey, these are the best warm composter bins to get you started.
What insect composting bins do.
“A warm composting bin provides a closed environment where worms, usually red wigglers, eat scraps of your leftover food and emit what is known as casting,” explains Matt Edelston, a gardener with more than 20 years of experience and founder of Gardening Vibe. “Worm molds are rich in nutrients, making them an ideal organic fertilizer for growing plants.”
A worm bin can be as simple as a plastic container with a lid, or as complex as a multi-layered bin with different compartments and features.
Although you can save money by building your own bin, Chia-Ming Ro, a garden consultant and owner of Coastal Homestead, explains that buying a pre-made one is “predictable.” Considering that an obsolete bin can rarely leave room for air to enter — or not enough space for air flow বেছে choosing a pre-made one will set you up better for success from the start.
Worm composting bins also come with many optional features, such as stackable trays or spigots, which can be difficult to design yourself.
How to choose your bin.
When you decide which compost bin is best for you, the first step is to think about how to use it. “It’s a good idea to consider how much space you need to keep the bin, the amount of food scrap and how much you want to detach the look,” Edelston said.
You may want to keep your bin in a cool place away from direct sunlight; Either inside a basement or garage, or outside on a covered porch. Some bins are more suitable for indoor living and others are designed for outdoor
Conditions are important when it comes to working the magic of nature, so you should also think about your acquaintance with vermicomposting. “Some bins help keep you moist, well-drained and well-ventilated without the necessary intervention from you, increasing the likelihood of rapid compost production,” Edelston explains.
Finally, consider the size of the bin. “Ideally, you have two bean bins that allow worms to move freely from one to the other,” Rowe said.
“Stackable bins can process a lot of food scrap and have a small footprint,” Edelston explained. “But if you live in an apartment, you may want a smaller model with less trays than some large bins suitable for the outdoors or for a home with garage space.”
How we pick
Our list is verified by vermicomposting experts who are familiar with the process.
Whether you’re looking to shell out or save, our list has a bin for your budget.
Whether you want to proudly display your bin in the garden or keep it wisely in your garage, here is an option for you.
Since everyone has their own space constraints, we’ve made sure to provide a variety of bean sizes and shapes.
Mbg picks for the best worm compost bin of 2022:
Professional
- Easy to use
- Quickly comes together
Cons
- Good for outdoor use, as it can leak
If you are new to worm composting or simply want a simple set-up, consider this warm bag. “This easy-to-use vermicomposting bin enables you to process a lot of scrap without messing with the trays,” says Edelston. “You just put the bed down and add food scraps on top.”
Typically, castings are ready in 4 to 6 months, and all you have to do is unzip the bottom and let them fall into a tray or bucket.
“This vermicompost bin is small enough to fit in the corner of your kitchen or on a small porch,” Edelston said. “The bin comes with detailed instructions, is easy to set up, and comes with everything you need to get started, including cocoa coir bedding (but not worms).”
The advantage of this compact size is that you can easily move it from one location to another if needed. And thanks to the smooth design, it’s not clear if the worm is living inside.
Professional
- Expandable
- Fits a lot of scraps
If you want to process a lot of food scrap, “this stackable vermicomposting bin has the biggest potential on the market,” Edelston said. It also has the advantage that you can add an extra two trays to the initial four, so you have enough space for all your food scraps.
Professional
- Expandable
- Fits a lot of scraps
Cons
- Not suitable for indoor use
This stackable worm compost bin comes with five trays and the option to add more, as well as a built-in spigot for draining excess liquid. There’s also a special bonus feature: “The ‘shoes’ fitted around the product’s feet are especially useful for using this bin in your backyard,” says Edelston. “When the water fills up, they prevent ants from getting inside and killing your insects.”
Best for those who don’t like worms: subpod composting systems and worm farms
Subpod composting system and worm firm
View on Amazon | $ 139
Professional
- Fits a lot of scraps
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not suitable for indoor use
If you are screaming around worms or you are not sure if you are ready to communicate with them, this is the composter for you. This is a two-chamber bin that can be placed inside your soil or a raised garden bed. “Worms can come and go as they please [it] Turning compost is not required, ”Ro said.
Edelston added that it was “a very hands-off solution, because you don’t have to empty the container to collect the casting.” Also, it doubles as a small bench in the garden, holding up to 150 pounds for a new powerful latch design.
Want to start vermicomposting but don’t want to be clear if you have pet worms? “The Orbelive vermicomposter has the most stylish design on the market, making it a good choice for people with limited space,” Edelston said.
The lightweight bin is easy to move and has a smooth and elegant design that you will be interested in showing inside or outside the house. Although small, there is an option to expand four from two trays depending on your needs.
How do you start your bin?
Once you’ve got your bean and ordered your worms, you can begin the process by filling the worm’s bean with a mixture of food scraps (green and brown) and a mixture of “bed” such as shredded paper, cardboard, straw, straw, and dried leaves. Dirt, or wood chips.
Worms can eat a variety of food scraps, including fruit and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds, but avoid giving them citrus fruits, animal and dairy products. The key to maintaining your bed is to make sure it always contains the right amount of food (and therefore moisture). When the system is out of balance, it will start to smell. Here is a complete primer to start feeding your bin.
Mix the ingredients in your bin periodically to loosen and prevent odors, and with any luck, you’ll have black gold on your hands for a while.
How long does it take to compost with worms?
One of the main differences between worm composting and traditional composting is related to speed. “Earthworm composting is faster than traditional composting and you get the added benefit of worm casting (e.g. pop),” Rowe said.
Typically, you only need to dedicate 30 minutes a week and do the casting in 3-6 months. And how many worms can eat on an average per day? “One pound of worms can eat about 1/2 pound of food a day,” said Rowe
Tips and tricks to try.
Here, Edelston and Rowe share their best tips for anyone wanting to go through this with a warm bean:
- “To increase the speed at which insects produce vermicompost, your bin should be kept between 15-25 degrees Celsius,” says Edelston.
- “Put your food scraps in a sealed container before adding them to the vermicompost bin,” Edelston said. “This prevents flies from laying eggs in food and keeps them away from your bin.”
- Ro explains to avoid “adding too much citrus or onion together”.
- “If your worms are slow to eat the food scraps you give them, try to cut them into small pieces. This usually helps them process the scrap faster, “Edelston explained.
- Worm beans should not be smelled. If it does, it’s an indication that something went wrong. “A balanced compost should have no bad odor,” Rowe said
Takeway.
Worm composting sounds terrible, but with the right bin, it can be quite painless. Choose a bin from this list that fits your needs and is ready to live more sustainably by converting your food waste into gold.