Dalek Style composters How to turn?

Hi there! Right I have two of the big black dalek composters, I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice on how they go about turning the compost and also how they get at the compost! Firstly As I have two, the simple plan would be to use one and fill up then use the other for the fresh, the problem is I'm loathe to throw anything compostible out! So when one is full the excess goes ontop of the other! Also there is an access 'flap' at the front, although for the life of me it's too small to really get in and get at the compost. The only way I can 'turn' it currently is to unload it all from the flap and top onto tarp on the lawn then shovel back in. It's not ideal at all, I'm thinking of making a decent set of 2 big bins from 2x4's, anyone have an easier way to do it? Or do you folks think better to build my own?

Thanking you in advance

You'll be pleased to hear there are loads of gadgets available for turning compost in dalek bins. This one has excellent reviews...http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0050I2FB4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (unfortunately I bought the last one...but it gives you the idea.) I upgraded from one similar to this, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joseph-Bentley-JBY0125-Compost-Aerator/dp/B0047ZG59O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361979227&sr=8-3 on my sister's recommendation.

I have 3 daleks, one being filled, one cooking and one 'ready to go', so can always dig out stuff from the top. I use a big metal poultry feed scoop like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eton-Poultry-Aluminium-Feed-Scoop/dp/B003TL3VX0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361979396&sr=8-1 which also works to dig out stuff through the little flap.

precisely what i'm looking for, now to track another one down! Mind, I think I will just be making one, loads easier to fork it over i'm thinking. TY

I have 3 as well and a compost stirrer. I could not turn the ompost without the sttirrer. I got mine from mail order firm Coopers, but now Amazon have alot of choice.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Darlac-GF6529-DP788-Compost-Aerator/dp/B0028YOOE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361981890&sr=8-1

My one now looks cooked. I understand I need to sift it, next job to learn about,The one is definately cooking and the one to fill up is nearly full, so I really need to work out how I empty the cooked one and where/how to store the compost

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/creative-projects/how-to-make-a-soil-sieve/312.html by the great Toby, I've made all sorts from his tutorials!

Everything that doesn't pass through goes back in the bin! As for storing, reusing old compost bags, and in a cool shed somewhere.

I use one of these.

 I know, I do like my gadgets!

figrat wrote (see)

I use one of these.

 I know, I do like my gadgets!

 

lol, if I show my mum one of these she'll want one for Mother's Day..

That looks a lot less effort than just a seive I think Lyon Greene told me about them before

I've got the Darlac compost stirrer from Amazon, it's good, but works better if you use it from the start, and don't wait to buy it until the composter's half full.  That makes it hard work!

Next thing I need to buy. I like the look of the first one Figrat showed. Now to see if I can get hold of one.

@ Rosa Carriola (and anyone else that might be interested) - google 'rotary compost sieve'.

I thought the whole point was you lever it up a few inches all round the bottom and then lift it off the compost.

I just use a hoe or fork and turn the compost in on it's self from the sides but start when it's only a quarter full, then turn it again when it's a further quarter full.  

As for getting it out, I make sure there's no creepy crawlie's round the rim, lean in and scoop it into a large bucket. 

I'm not very tall i'd end up i it as well

I scared my little boy half to death in JTF by putting the compost bin over my head and going up to the trolley he was sitting in and shouting 'EXTERMINATE!!' at him.  He was bored so wasn't paying attention, and it didn't half make him jump.  Luckily he's not a scaredy cat, so it hasn't scarred him for life.  He thought it was very funny, so now each time I empty a nappy box or get something in a box from Amazon, he nicks it and tries to dalek me back.

When empty, I can get both kids and me in it, as long as you don't try putting the lid on (I'm claustrophobic).  So when turning, I use my garden seat/kneeler thingy to stand on and get a bit of extra leverage.  Stinky job, and I'm glad I'm the extra few inches above it, so don't get the aroma undiluted!

Mummy Muddy Paws wrote (see)

I scared my little boy half to death in JTF by putting the compost bin over my head and going up to the trolley he was sitting in and shouting 'EXTERMINATE!!' at him.  He was bored so wasn't paying attention, and it didn't half make him jump.  Luckily he's not a scaredy cat, so it hasn't scarred him for life.  He thought it was very funny, so now each time I empty a nappy box or get something in a box from Amazon, he nicks it and tries to dalek me back.

When empty, I can get both kids and me in it, as long as you don't try putting the lid on (I'm claustrophobic).  So when turning, I use my garden seat/kneeler thingy to stand on and get a bit of extra leverage.  Stinky job, and I'm glad I'm the extra few inches above it, so don't get the aroma undiluted!

So what happened to your son after you were taken away in a straightjacket? I rolled down the slope in our garden inside a new waterbutt once upon a time, imagine my surprise when my daughter's reception teacher asked me if it was a regular hobby of mine!!!

Welshonion may well be onto something there, but I wonder if I take it off like a bucket on a sand castle, will it collapse everywhere?

To quote Dr Sheldon Cooper, 'I'm NOT insane, my Mother had me tested'.  The JTF was in Sheffield/Rotherham, pretending to be a dalek, cyberman, vogon or big bird is normal behaviour there.  I'd have been very suspicious if I'd NOT pretended to be a dalek.

Reception teachers are cool.  Anyone who can deal with 30-odd children, many of them being away from their Mums from the first time, has got to be some sort of undercover superhero.  She probably thought it was such a fun thing to do, she went out and bought a waterbutt right away.  People pay money to be strapped inside a big inflatable ball and rolled down a hill.  I think it's called 'Zorbing'.  Probably a polite way of saying 'paying to barf'.

Mummy Muddy Paws wrote (see)

a polite way of saying 'paying to barf'.

I did that every weekend at uni lol

I use a garden fork to turn my stuff when it's half full, but as I'm careful to layer green and brown waste it does not need much turning.

I find 3 daleks suits me. One with fresh stuff added each day, one full and 'cooking', and one ready for use. I usually take some out of the top with a spade then remove the bin and put the contents in my ballbarrow, to be moved round the garden where needed. Any twiggy bits go back in at the bottom of the empty bin to rot a bit more.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dolmen-Compost-Mixer-and-Aerator/dp/B0050I2FB4/ref=pd_cp_kh_0

Back in stock, going to take 10 days for delivery but I can wait. TY Mr Figrat sir, looking forward to trying it out.