How to make a compost tumbler from a food grade pickle barrel. Free Plans at http://dixiegrilling.com/tumbler.htm This compost tumbler with it’s internal aeration system speeds the composting process. Great way to get compost for your garden without the mess and strength required to turn a traditional compost bin. Concealed barrels picks unwanted critters from hanging out at your compost pile. Excellent for urban gardeners with restrictions on space. Can be made very inexpensively. Link to free plans and bill of material at the end of the video.
Duration : 0:3:49
[youtube cfi-bSs6EQ0]
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#1 by stratman4u at May 30th, 2010
@jbpitcher That …
@jbpitcher That might be a good idea. I had though of putting short pieces of 1/4″ all thread rod through the galvanized pipe at 90 degrees inside the barrel, creating kind of a rotating rake. This would help break up the material as the barrel turned. I might try that on my next one.
#2 by xxstealyourface at May 30th, 2010
One of the more …
One of the more complicated compost tumblers I’ve seen, but it has a genius design to it. I hadn’t equated the bees getting into it. Great idea to cover the air holes with screen.
#3 by stratman4u at May 30th, 2010
@boahet I used 5 …
@boahet I used 5 minute Epoxy
#4 by stratman4u at May 30th, 2010
@frostxr I spin it …
@frostxr I spin it every time i add material. You want a 50/50 mix of brown and green compost materials. I stock pile dry leaves (brown) and add them when I put in my kitchen vegetable scraps (green)
#5 by envirosponsible at May 30th, 2010
Great video.
Great video.
#6 by kingbiscuit28 at May 30th, 2010
Depends if you can …
Depends if you can get a free barrel. ~$75 if you have to pay for the barrel and around $50 if you don’t. Also if you make more than one the costs go down a little bit because you don’t have left over wasted material.
#7 by BCGOODMAN at May 30th, 2010
Awesome Plans! …
Awesome Plans! Thanks
#8 by kingbiscuit28 at May 30th, 2010
Depends if you can …
Depends if you can get a free barrel. ~$75 if you have to pay for the barrel and around $50 if you don’t. Also if you make more than one the costs go down a little bit because you don’t have left over wasted material.
#9 by stratman4u at May 30th, 2010
@kingbiscuit28 Yes …
@kingbiscuit28 Yes, my mistake. You only need one flange. You can wallow out the holes in your wood by rotating your drill bit in a circular fashion or just use a 1-1/8″ bit
#10 by phx515 at May 30th, 2010
My son and I are …
My son and I are constructing this far an extra credit project in his HS biology class. Thank you for such a detailed plan. I am really looking forward to churning out some awesome compost with this. Any person in SO. CA. area I found a recycled barrel seller in the City of Ontario who has about a gazillion barrels to choose from in the $10.00-$25.00 range…You’ll find them under Craig’s list ,Inland Empire, farm and garden category.
Again, my son and I thank you for such an awesome plan!!
#11 by stratman4u at May 30th, 2010
@Cosmodot256 The …
@Cosmodot256 The kind you don’t want jumping out at you when you open the lid. Bees, wasps, yellow jackets etc.
#12 by jbpitcher at May 30th, 2010
Excellent ! You …
Excellent ! You have done a nice job of explaining your project. One of the best I have seen on YouTube. Thank you for the detail and drawings. What do you think about adding additional horizontal pipes to aid in stirring and aerating the compost?
#13 by vionvese2010 at May 30th, 2010
This the best …
This the best design I think I have seen anywhere. I want to make one but I can not get your plan and material list at the end of the video. Can you or anyone send it to me?
#14 by boahet at May 30th, 2010
Great video! I have …
Great video! I have one question for you . What kind of glue did you use to attach screen to the barrel and the flange? Thx
#15 by frostxr at May 30th, 2010
Ive seen a lot of …
Ive seen a lot of these tumblers. And I have one question. Do you have to spin it daily? Im not sure I understand how thy work. What else is there to know for beginners. Thanks
#16 by kingbiscuit28 at May 30th, 2010
So I am in the …
So I am in the process of making one. A few questions. I got the 3/4″ galvanized pipe and it is exactly 1″ in OD, so it does not want to go through the 1″ holes I drilled in the wood. Any ideas on how to open those holes just a bit more so the axle fits through?? Also a few comments on the pdf plans. I think you only need one 3″ closet flange.
I am going to make a Lowes Item list for others that want to make one when I’m done.
#17 by MRSLUVMYMAC at May 30th, 2010
how much would all …
how much would all the materials cost me? and can a women put it together or will i need my husband?
Thank you.
#18 by kryptiea at May 30th, 2010
not hard to make . …
not hard to make . barrels are hard to find
#19 by kingbiscuit28 at May 30th, 2010
Thanks Man!!
Most …
Thanks Man!!
Most detailed and thorough plans on YouTube!! Really helpful.
#20 by dioje787 at May 30th, 2010
Changed my mind. …
Changed my mind. Instead of a spigot, (which would hold in too much moisture), I’ll just keep a small bucket underneath the drain hole to capture the “compost tea” and then pour it onto my plants that way. Picked up the pickel barrel last night! Mine is a 55-gallon instead of 60, and is 42″ tall instead of 44″. I guess I’ll just do the center axle @ 20 1/2″ instead of 21 1/2″, and hopefully that math is correct.?????????
#21 by dioje787 at May 30th, 2010
Thank you. Just …
Thank you. Just bought all the supplies from Home Depot, and including the $40 for the pickle barrell (Craigslist… guy from NC is delivering here in TN today!), my material cost is around $100 as well. I think instead of the drain hole like you have, I’m going to make a spigot so I can do the compost tea thing. Other than that, GREAT plans.
#22 by lastquest at May 30th, 2010
I Love to see great …
I Love to see great craftsmanship and pride in construction! Nice attention to details. GREAT JOB…Thank You
#23 by TheWealthyNinja at May 30th, 2010
This is AWESOME! …
This is AWESOME! Thank you so much for posting this video!!!
#24 by Bonstergirl at May 30th, 2010
What a great idea! …
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this.
#25 by Cosmodot256 at May 30th, 2010
What kinds of ‘ …
What kinds of ‘pests’ will contaminate compost? From what I’ve read so far, many insects aid in the composting process.