Customer Reviews

Yard Butler CA-36 Compost Aerator

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The best way to turn a compost heap is to get a garden fork and just go to town, but if you have those closed plastic bins (like I do now), that's not a viable option.

That's why I bought this compost tool and it's better than nothing since at least it helps move the compost around. However, it's not easy to push the tool down into the heap and half the time, the tines don't open up when you pull it back up. The tines are also quite short, so they don't catch much when they do open.

Still, I haven't found a better alternative and if you use a up and down motion (rather like churning butter) it helps somewhat.

In short, I give it a qualified recommendation if you have no other way of turning your contained compost pile.

This item came quickly and looks to be very well made. If you have a plastic compost bin, this is an must-have item. I've found that jabbing the tool into the compost a few times (without completely removing the tool from the compost prior to each jab) will get it to the bottom of the heap in no time. Then, rock it back and forth while pulling upward. The rocking action will cause the wings to deploy outward (I have no idea why this is) and also create a hole down through the pile. And that air hole should help accelerate the decaying process.

i've had my yard butler for about 1 month. i have one of those barrel type composters that's next to impossible to be able to turn over and aerate the contents, this item works well. the only wish i could have for it, is if the wings that open on it were a little bit longer, i have to stick it into the composter several times to really turn the stuff over. that said, i would still recommend it, it's a nifty tool that solved my problem. ed

This tool made quick work of turning my compost. I'm using a big yard trash-can for my compost and couldn't turn it with a pitchfork or hoe. This tool drove right into the full can and quickly mixed things up.

An earlier review said the "wings" are short, but I think it's the perfect size for a garbage-can sized container. If they were any bigger it would pull up too much compost and make a mess. Sturdy construction & soft handle too. I highly recommend this!

Although we've had been dumping things into our black plastic cube recycle bin for over a year, things just sat there and didn't decompose. We got about an inch of dirt at the end of a year, which was a big disappointment. Then we bought this aerator. It is super-easy to use, and is solidly built. After only two weeks of 2X/week aerating, the compost actually looks like compost. We are so excited to see the results, and we've been looking around for more things to throw in. Leaves? Don't have to worry about them compressing and forming a semi-solid layer. Grass clippings? They'll go in nicely. This is a great product! I feel so much more "nurturing of nature" by using this tool to create wonderful recyclable compost.

I should have paid more attention to the negative reviews. The idea of this yard butler sounds good, but...it is difficult to push down into the pile of shredded leaves and kitchen waste and the wings don't open easily. The best result I achieved came from dragging it through the pile, difficult in a square Soil-Saver bin. I ended up buying a Radius stainless garden fork that works much better.

I bought this a couple months ago. I've used it once a week since then and it does a tremendous job aerating the compost pile. Amust tool.

This works great for turning and aerating. I have an Earth Machine compost bin, and after a year of struggling to turn it with hoes, shovels, rakes and anything else I could find, the Yard Butler did the trick. I was able to easily turn the entire contents in just a minute or two. The "wings" do a great job of lifting material from the very bottom of the bin.

Yard Butler CA-36 Compost Aerator

Just started composting this year and needed an aerator. This one is excellent. Push it into the compost and then pull up. The blades on the end of the aerator open up and help mix the compost. It's easy, quick and fun to use. Excellent quality for a reasonable price.

Easy to use and does help mix compost pile. Sometimes the wing does not open but not a big deal. Better than anything else I had to use.