I'm cooking up my second batch of compost with this great bin.
Pros:
* Can be used for hot (active maintain) or cold (dump stuff in and forget about it) composting.
* Fully enclosed.
* Has a locking lid.
* Uses hard nylon screws & bolts that won't rust.
* More attractive than the chicken wire and wood frame composter I made.
* Light-weight.
* Good instruction booklet.
* Good airflow. (I was worried about this before using.)
* Fast hot composting (about 5-6 weeks)
* 25-yr manufacturer's warranty
Cons:
* Haven't found the doors very useful. (They are not a problem either. More useful for a cold pile I guess.)
* Little difficult to turn the pile. (I usually remove the entire bin, and set to the side and refill the bin in the new location.)
The directions state that you must place this on level ground so the lid fits properly. I used a shovel to level out a spot and the lid fits great and stays locked.
Since nocturnal critters live in my area, I haven't used food scraps for this composter. (I use a vermiculture setup (
Can-O-Worms ) for that in the garage.) I use grass clippings, shredded cardboard and newspaper, leaves, and other chopped-up landscape debris to get a good mix of carbon and nitrogen.