Double-Decker Drum Composter

Step 7 The barrels

Now that the barrels were finished, I put the pole through the barrel and put them on the frame.

I checked everything and made sure that the barrels spun on the poles properly.

At this point, the project is complete.

Comments

[jschmadeke4life]

do any liquids drip out of the holes during the decomposition process?

[iPodGuy]

Yes, lots.

[AlaXul]

I was wondering if the " tea " is good for anything or is it simply waste? Stands to reason that it would have nutrients in it, so add water and water the plants with it. Am I way off base?

[rhodge-1]

Try a base to hold a 1/2 barrel under one; a sloped surface of what is available to you to drain it to one side into a basin /barrel to collect it. Very good to fee plants with as a watering can tea.

[iPodGuy]

Yep. Water it down and feed your plants.

[0087adam]

Could you use a flange like they use to hold railings down to hold the barrel onto a threaded pipe?

[iPodGuy]

I would imagine so.

[fslade]

Did you have to reinforce the barrels at the hole cot for the poles? How heavy is it full? Won't the 2" holes distort with the weight of the compost?

[iPodGuy]

No, I didn't reinforce the holes and I've had it packed pretty full without any distorting. 55 gallon drums are pretty heavy-duty. When I had the bottom barrel nearly completely full, it weighed quite a bit as you would expect, but it gets lighter as the stuff breaks down. I was still able to spin it however because after the first spin, centrifugal force makes it easier.