Q
Is it possible to compost all of my kitchen waste, including bones?
A

Yes! You can compost everything, though it’s advisable to drain watery soups and stews beforehand. You can put in fish bones, chicken carcasses and other bones. Fish bones will compost thoroughly and disappear. The chicken and larger meat bones will come out cleaned of any traces of meat (and will not be attractive to pets or vermin). Smaller chicken bones (e.g. ribs) will compost if they are in for a sufficiently long time.

Q
Can I add all of my large quantities of autumn leaves(dry leaves) to my composter?
A

Yes, you can add large quantities of dry leaves to your composter. However, it’s essential to mix them with other nitrogen-rich materials like kitchen scraps or green yard waste to achieve a balanced compost mixture. Ideally, aim for a 50:50 ratio of brown (dry leaves) to green waste for effective composting.

Q
Is there any other materials available besides wood pellets or sawdust that I can use?
A

Coir(coconut fiber), is effective, and chopped, dried straw can also serve as a viable option.

Q
Can I use cardboard or shredded paper instead of wood pellets?
A

In theory, yes, but paper needs to be cross-shredded otherwise it bunches up in the machine and forms a ball. Cardboard is more of a problem as it needs to be cut up into small pieces by hand. You also need a considerable amount, so it’s better to consider this as a supplement, not a substitution.

Q
What about garden waste? Can I put this in?
A

You can put in any vegetation, except hard, woody stems and branches – these don’t have enough time to compost down, even if shredded. For this reason we don’t recommend wood chips in place of pellets or sawdust.

Q
If I put my garden weeds in, will it kill off the seeds?
A

The only common seeds that seem to be indestructible are tomato seeds. All other seeds will more than likely be destroyed by the heat generated in the machine.

Q
Can I add my grass clippings?
A

Yes, but it’s not advisable. Adding large amounts regularly will quickly fill the machine, leaving little space for kitchen waste!

Q
Can I turn a compost tumbler too much?
A

Yes, You can turn a compost tumbler too much, but it can disrupt the natural decomposition process. It’s usually advised, to turn tumbler weekly once that can help you create nutrient-rich compost efficiently.

Q
I have a wooden shed. Can I hang the JK 125 on that?
A

Normally no, unless it is specially reinforced for the purpose. The machines are very heavy when full – the JK 125 will weigh around 270 lbs. You can concrete in a couple of 6″ x 6″ posts to attach it to, or attach the unit to a solid brick or masonry wall with suitable bolts or similar – DO NOT USE ORDINARY SCREWS AND FIXINGS. If in doubt, stand it on the ground.

Q
If I don't want to hang it on a wall, does it need to be on a firm base?
A

Yes – the legs should stand on planks, slabs or concrete, otherwise when full it could sink into soft ground.

Q
Does the compost process produce liquid? What should I do if my compost is excessively wet?
A

Yes, some liquid production is unavoidable and the machines are not water-tight. Moisture content of the mixture is regulated by the wood pellets or sawdust (see the operating instructions). It is important to drain your kitchen waste of any excess liquid before you put it into the machine.


If your compost is excessively wet, mix the dry waste(dry leaves or grass, cardboard, paper)  to absorb the excess moisture. Rotate your composter regularly for proper aeration and for correct balance composition, mix the wetter waste with drier materials.