Posted on by — Leave a comment

Winter Composting Tips: Why an Insulated Compost Tumbler Works Best

Why an Insulated Compost Tumbler Works Best at winter

Composting in the warmer months is usually straightforward—organic waste breaks down quickly, microbes thrive, and your garden gets nutrient-rich compost in no time. But when the cold winter sets in, composting can slow down or even stop completely. That’s when having the right tools becomes critical—and an insulated compost tumbler can make all the difference.

In this blog, we’ll explore why composting during winter is challenging, how you can overcome those challenges, and why an insulated compost tumbler is the best solution to keep your composting going strong all year long.

Reasons for  Composting Slows Down in Winter

Let’s begin by understanding what happens to compost during winter.

1. Microbial Activity Slows Down

Many gardeners assume that the composting process stops the temperature drop but microbes(sowbugs, pillbugs and earthworms) remain active and a little bit slower the composting process. According to Michigan State University, many types of microbes remain alive and active under the snow during winter.Generally microbes are active at temp between 32°C to 60°C. Though decomposition slows significantly in colder conditions, hardy microbes continue working, ensuring progress year-round.

2. Frozen Organic Material

When temperatures of the composter goes below freezing, your kitchen wastes and garden waste can freeze solid. Frozen organic material like plants(stem, root & leaves) which does not decompose during the winter. 

3. Increased Moisture from Snow & Rain

Excess snow and winter rains can add moisture to your compost pile. These activities reduce moisture and nutrients on the compost. A soggy composter causing anaerobic conditions leading to unpleasant smells and slower breakdown.

4. Less Frequent Turning

Let’s be honest—no one wants to go outside in freezing weather just to turn a compost pile. Don’t turn the compost pile/tumbler leads to increased heat loss. Infrequent turning also reduces the oxygen levels in your compost, slowing down decomposition.

Read: Making a Foolproof Compost Pile : 5 Best Practices

Why an Insulated Compost Tumbler Works Best in Winter?

What is an Insulated Compost Tumbler?

An insulated Compost tumbler specially designed to compost organic wastes even in cold weather. It helps maintain higher internal temperatures, making it ideal for year-round use. Key features typically include:

  • Double-wall insulation (made of polyethylene) 
  • A sealed lid can keep heat & moisture 
  • A rotating drum to make turning easy 
  • Elevated design to prevent ground frost interference

One of the best-known examples is the Jora compost tumbler, a dual-chamber, insulated system built specifically for cold climates.

Here are the top reasons why using an insulated compost tumbler is your best bet when temperatures drop:

 1. Keeps Your Compost Warm

The insulation in compost tumblers functions like a thermal blanket, retaining heat even in cold conditions. When outside temperatures drop below freezing, the interior can maintain a warm range of 40°F to 120°F, allowing microbial activity to thrive. This ensures continuous decomposition, regardless of external weather.

This is especially true with models like the Joraform tumblers(available in different variations like JK 125/270/400), which are designed for use in Scandinavian winters and can compost fast and maintain composting temperatures year-round. Its insulation is made up of polythene plastic which helps you to keep the temperature. Many users report getting compost in as little as 6–8 weeks—even during the colder months!

2. Dual-Chamber Efficiency

Most high-quality compost tumblers like Joraform offer dual chambers. With this you can add fresh kitchen scraps in one chamber while the other chamber finishes its composting. This continuous process ensures your kitchen waste turns into compost even in winter you can get good compost from your organic waste for your garden.

3. Odor and Pest Control

Odor and pests are among the biggest challenges in composting. Open bins can attract rodents, insects, and other unwanted critters, while also releasing unpleasant smells. Metal tumblers solve both problems with their sealed, elevated design keeps pests out and locks in odors, making composting cleaner and more efficient. With a quality tumbler, you can compost without worrying about foul smells or unwelcome visitors.

4. Ease of Use in Snowy Conditions

Turning an outdoor/backyard compost pile in winter can be a nightmare. A tumbler only requires a simple spin, even when it’s snowing. You don’t need a shovel or pitchfork—just rotate the drum.

It’s cleaner, faster, and safer in icy conditions. Also the closed design prevents excess water from snow or rain entering the pile, keeping your compost mixture balanced in moisture content. This prevents bad odors and rotting.

Read: Composting tips for better composting

Composting doesn’t have to stop when the snow starts falling. With the right equipment(like a Jora composter), you can keep producing nutrient-rich organic compost all year round, throughout the winter.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Making a Foolproof Compost Pile : 5 Best Practices

 

The Insulated Jora Compost tumbler, designed in Sweden, enables composting at home quick, simple, and rodent- and odor-free. The Jora has two champers; fill one while the other continues its unbroken cycle of decomposition and is ready for use when it is full. After filling your first side, you can have landscape-grade compost in as little as 4–8 weeks. Visit our assembly video and review the official PDF instructions before assembling your composter.

Unlike any other bin, a Jora Composter will take almost all types of kitchen waste. Because of insulation, the inside of your Jora will reach high temperatures and you can add things that most other composting methods can’t handle like citrus, meat, cooked foods, and even bones. Your Jora will effectively compost waste from fruits and vegetables, your garden scraps, cut grass and dry leaves.

1. Choose the perfect place for your compost tumbler

Why? Positioning your rotating compost tumbler on level ground, ideally in a shaded spot to prevent over-drying, is essential. Because it makes it easier for you to add food scraps and other compostable materials regularly.

A good tip: The perfect place for your compost tumbler is somewhere convenient, like near your kitchen or garden.  Accessibility for adding materials and turning the tumbler is also important. Proper placement is vital for maintaining optimal conditions, ensuring efficient decomposition, and successful compost production.

2. Know your kitchen waste like a pro 

Why? Cutting waste into smaller pieces before composting will greatly reduce the decomposition time of the waste. At the end of the cycle, you may find the occasional waste that doesn’t compost in time by sifting through your fresh compost.

A good tip: Keep your kitchen waste chopped small for better absorption. A few tricks on your cutting board before throwing it into your compost bucket will help with faster assimilation! It is also best to avoid sharp twigs and sticks as they may damage the insulation.
If not composting: Best to dispose. Remember, if you’re unsure if it composts, it is best to dispose!
If certain items, like avocado pits or bones, aren’t composting quickly enough, simply leave them in the composter for another composting cycle while you utilize the rest of your fresh compost in your garden, planters, lawn, trees, or hedges.

3. Keep waste at the right temperature!

Why? This will, in time, become second nature to you in your composting journey. For now, we got you covered.

A good tip: Waste should be added to the unit frequently (every day or two) in small quantities only. To avoid the waste getting too wet, drain your kitchen waste before putting it into the composter. To avoid the waste getting to dry, be careful not to add too much of the wood pellets at one time. It’s a game of balance, and you will certainly get there soon. Head to our Troubleshooting page for more.

4. Incorporate carbon to each input of kitchen scraps.

Why? Temperatures in the Jora Composter can reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. We know you want to compost as much nitrogen-rich materials (called green because they are fresh and moist) as you can, but it needs to be balanced with a carbon source (called brown because they are dry)! The absolute biggest problem with composting is that we don’t add enough carbon sources!

A good tip: FOR EVERY 1 PART NITROGEN, ADD 2 PARTS CARBON.

Yes, sometimes twice as much carbon is required to ensure the proper balance of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen for those microbes to thrive!

Every time you add kitchen scraps, add a bit of carbon and give the tumbler a few turns to add oxygen and assimilate the working microbes into your new waste. Keep an eye on how wet the compost is and remedy when necessary. Keep a bin with a lid next to the composter for keeping sawdust or wood pellets dry and handy.

5. Choose the best carbon source for you

Why? Varying on where you’re from, the ways you add carbon will differ. Some urban areas have a lack of deciduous trees and dead leaves. We share our favorites below.

A good tip:
For suburban dwellers: Leaves, sawdust, shredded trees, etc.

For urban dwellers: We recommend wood pellets which is compressed pine pellets (or sawdust). At Jora, we recommend bedding pellets through a local feed store, which will likely beat any online prices.

At Jora Composters, we use MegaZorb Bedding Pellets. These are horse bedding pellets as they are inexpensive and contain no glues or harmful chemicals. There are other brands, perhaps online or a local horse feed store. We insist to make sure they contain only wood or wood and zeolite – no chemicals!

***A great idea would be to add some of these pellets to the bottom of your compost bucket before putting it in your composter!

A popular supplement :
A less expensive way to add carbon to your composter is paper! Newspaper, paper bags and toilet paper rolls. However, it needs to be finely shredded (like confetti!). Otherwise, it bunches up and forms a ball. So we consider this a helpful supplement (you’ll need a considerable amount), not a substitution!

Explore our FAQ for more detailed answers to your most pressing questions!

Also Read: What Can and Cannot Be Composted in a Jora Composter?