How to use a Dalek compost bin

[Chris Hogg]

My neighbour has given me a single 'Dalek' compost bin. It is a
simple, slightly tapering cylinder with a lid that sits on the top.
There is no access door at the bottom.

In my previous garden, I had two juxtaposed bins made from pallets,
one filling, the other emptying. When the emptying one was completely
empty, the filling one would be forked over into it, which both mixed
and reversed the compost sequence so that the older composted stuff
came to the top for use.

But what's the best way to use the dalek? My current garden is much
smaller than previously, so will generate less compost. Compost
material will consist mostly of weeds, prunings, a modest amount of
lawn mowings and compostable kitchen waste, but no hedge cuttings.

I have questions:

I believe it is good practice to stand the dalek on bare earth, to
allow access by worms. But will that be enough to initiate composting?
How will the worms get their 'teeth' into fresh prunings, for example?
I read that little red wriggly worms are best. Where should I get
them? Will they just 'appear'? Are they purchasable on the internet?

When adding grass cuttings, I read that to prevent a soggy slimy
smelly mass from forming, mix with torn-up cardboard or paper waste.
Is this correct? Will any cardboard/paper do, or are some types best
avoided?

Can I add domestic kitchen waste in those green compostable bags that
local councils seem so keen that we use, these days?

How long will it take to rot down? My other compost heaps were 'cold'
heaps, and it was generally about a year before I spread the compost
after adding and turning it. Will the dalek take as long as that? Is
there any point in trying to wrap it with some sort of thermal
insulation to speed up the composting?

As there is no trap-door in the base of this one, compost will have to
be accessed by lifting off the whole dalek. Presumably the top part of
the heap will still be unrotted and will need separating and adding
back.

Any tips and experience to pass on?

[Vir Campestris]

Post by Chris Hogg
As there is no trap-door in the base of this one, compost will have to
be accessed by lifting off the whole dalek. Presumably the top part of
the heap will still be unrotted and will need separating and adding
back.

I have two daleks with doors. The doors are a PITA, all they ever do is
come off at the wrong time. I find it far easier to just lift the dalek off.

Andy

[Charlie Pridham]

Post by Chris Hogg
My neighbour has given me a single 'Dalek' compost bin. It is a
simple, slightly tapering cylinder with a lid that sits on the top.
There is no access door at the bottom.
In my previous garden, I had two juxtaposed bins made from pallets,
one filling, the other emptying. When the emptying one was completely
empty, the filling one would be forked over into it, which both mixed
and reversed the compost sequence so that the older composted stuff
came to the top for use.
But what's the best way to use the dalek? My current garden is much
smaller than previously, so will generate less compost. Compost
material will consist mostly of weeds, prunings, a modest amount of
lawn mowings and compostable kitchen waste, but no hedge cuttings.
I believe it is good practice to stand the dalek on bare earth, to
allow access by worms. But will that be enough to initiate composting?
How will the worms get their 'teeth' into fresh prunings, for example?
I read that little red wriggly worms are best. Where should I get
them? Will they just 'appear'? Are they purchasable on the internet?
When adding grass cuttings, I read that to prevent a soggy slimy
smelly mass from forming, mix with torn-up cardboard or paper waste.
Is this correct? Will any cardboard/paper do, or are some types best
avoided?
Can I add domestic kitchen waste in those green compostable bags that
local councils seem so keen that we use, these days?
How long will it take to rot down? My other compost heaps were 'cold'
heaps, and it was generally about a year before I spread the compost
after adding and turning it. Will the dalek take as long as that? Is
there any point in trying to wrap it with some sort of thermal
insulation to speed up the composting?
As there is no trap-door in the base of this one, compost will have to
be accessed by lifting off the whole dalek. Presumably the top part of
the heap will still be unrotted and will need separating and adding
back.
Any tips and experience to pass on?

Personal experience suggest they work best as wormeries quickly dealing
with all our kitchen waste. I would advise standing it on a brick base
(no cement) to keep out rats as they will target these each winter for
the worms. also several layers of wire netting around low down as the
can and do chew through the plastic!

[alan_m]

Post by Charlie Pridham

Post by Chris Hogg
My neighbour has given me a single 'Dalek' compost bin. It is a
simple, slightly tapering cylinder with a lid that sits on the top.
There is no access door at the bottom.
In my previous garden, I had two juxtaposed bins made from pallets,
one filling, the other emptying. When the emptying one was completely
empty, the filling one would be forked over into it, which both mixed
and reversed the compost sequence so that the older composted stuff
came to the top for use.
But what's the best way to use the dalek? My current garden is much
smaller than previously, so will generate less compost. Compost
material will consist mostly of weeds, prunings, a modest amount of
lawn mowings and compostable kitchen waste, but no hedge cuttings.
I believe it is good practice to stand the dalek on bare earth, to
allow access by worms. But will that be enough to initiate composting?
How will the worms get their 'teeth' into fresh prunings, for example?
I read that little red wriggly worms are best. Where should I get
them? Will they just 'appear'? Are they purchasable on the internet?
When adding grass cuttings, I read that to prevent a soggy slimy
smelly mass from forming, mix with torn-up cardboard or paper waste.
Is this correct? Will any cardboard/paper do, or are some types best
avoided?
Can I add domestic kitchen waste in those green compostable bags that
local councils seem so keen that we use, these days?
How long will it take to rot down? My other compost heaps were 'cold'
heaps, and it was generally about a year before I spread the compost
after adding and turning it. Will the dalek take as long as that? Is
there any point in trying to wrap it with some sort of thermal
insulation to speed up the composting?
As there is no trap-door in the base of this one, compost will have to
be accessed by lifting off the whole dalek. Presumably the top part of
the heap will still be unrotted and will need separating and adding
back.
Any tips and experience to pass on?

Personal experience suggest they work best as wormeries quickly dealing
with all our kitchen waste. I would advise standing it on a brick base
(no cement) to keep out rats as they will target these each winter for
the worms. also several layers of wire netting around low down as the
can and do chew through the plastic!

I have mine standing on earth and dump everything into them, weeds,
grass cuttings, privet hedge cuttings, kitchen waste (not meat or
bones), small cardboard boxes [remove packing tape and tear them up when
wet], shredded paper etc. I have no know problems with rats/mice.

It's important to try and mix material. Lots of grass cutting as a lump
or a container of shredded paper can from a barrier. I try and add other
material when, say, adding grass cuttings and lightly fork over the top
layer already in the bin to mix materials. However, often the material
is just thrown in and left to the composting to sort it all out :)

My compost takes over a year to compost down and the bins have many
worms and other insects helping the breakdown. I don't worry about the
number of ants or woodlice helping to break down the material or aerate
the heap. The worm find their own way in and if conditions are ripe will
bred prolifically, usually in the top few inches of the semi rotted
compost.

I have 3 bins and when emptying I remove the top layer of material that
has not fully composted and transfer it to one of my other bins. I then
tip the dalek on its side and fork out the compost from the base.

The composting in the dalek will be a cold process possibly speeded up a
tiny bit if you can fill the bin in one hit with a suitable mix of
material. If the material you put in is too dry the composting process
will stall. I leave the lid off in periods of heavy rain if this is
starting to happen with my bins.

One thing to watch out when adding cardboard or mailing envelopes is
plastic. In this green revolution manufactures are promoting the
removal plastic bags from around food. What they don't tell you they are
adding a plastic layer to the cardboard packaging. Possibly avoid
packaging with a shiny surface. Some mailing envelopes seem to have a
plastic strip associated with the self sealing - this does not rot down.

[Chris Hogg]

Post by Chris Hogg
Any tips and experience to pass on?

Many thanks for all the advice etc, especially AM. Most helpful. I can
see that one dalek isn't going to be nearly enough. I shall have to
get a couple more from somewhere.

[AnthonyL]

Post by Chris Hogg

Post by Chris Hogg
Any tips and experience to pass on?

Many thanks for all the advice etc, especially AM. Most helpful. I can
see that one dalek isn't going to be nearly enough. I shall have to
get a couple more from somewhere.

You'll have to go to Skaro, some time in the future, and see if Davros
has got any more in the pipeline. Then you'll have to get back.

PS Some useful tips, thanks for the thread.

[Janet]

Post by Chris Hogg

Post by Chris Hogg
Any tips and experience to pass on?

Many thanks for all the advice etc, especially AM. Most helpful. I can
see that one dalek isn't going to be nearly enough. I shall have to
get a couple more from somewhere.

Freecycle and Nextdoor often offer them free.

Janet.

[Chris Hogg]

Post by Janet

Post by Chris Hogg

Post by Chris Hogg
Any tips and experience to pass on?

Many thanks for all the advice etc, especially AM. Most helpful. I can
see that one dalek isn't going to be nearly enough. I shall have to
get a couple more from somewhere.

Freecycle and Nextdoor often offer them free.
Janet.

Useful tip, thank you.

[tahiri]

Post by Chris Hogg
My neighbour has given me a single 'Dalek' compost bin. It is a
simple, slightly tapering cylinder with a lid that sits on the top.
There is no access door at the bottom.
Any tips and experience to pass on?

read this first-
https://www.growsonyou.com/Sid/blog/9058-garden-waste-les-barker

[Chris Hogg]

On Sat, 17 Aug 2024 09:47:18 +0100, tahiri

Post by tahiri

Post by Chris Hogg
My neighbour has given me a single 'Dalek' compost bin. It is a
simple, slightly tapering cylinder with a lid that sits on the top.
There is no access door at the bottom.
Any tips and experience to pass on?

read this first-
https://www.growsonyou.com/Sid/blog/9058-garden-waste-les-barker

:-))

[Ian Jackson]

Post by tahiri

Post by Chris Hogg
My neighbour has given me a single 'Dalek' compost bin. It is a
simple, slightly tapering cylinder with a lid that sits on the top.
There is no access door at the bottom.
Any tips and experience to pass on?

read this first-
https://www.growsonyou.com/Sid/blog/9058-garden-waste-les-barker

I also have four bins (two normal-sized Daleks, one larger Dalek (with
the pretty useless sliding door). and (as the usual stores didn't seem
to have any Daleks) a plastic dustbin with much of the bottom cut out.

As well as the compost worms, slugs and snails also appear and thrive
there. If I find any roaming in the garden, I detain them and transfer
them to the bins (where they must find life like living permanently in a
5-star hotel). Loads of wood-lice also appear (especially when the
compost has been munched and has turned black).

Most things put in the bins seem to disappear - except eggshells (even
if they are broken up into small splinters).

[alan_m]

Post by Ian Jackson
I also have four bins (two normal-sized Daleks, one larger Dalek (with
the pretty useless sliding door).

As you and other have mentioned the sliding door or the removable door
at the base of the Dalek is pretty much useless. This is also my
experience. A Dalek without the door works better.

[Ian Jackson]

Post by alan_m

Post by Ian Jackson
I also have four bins (two normal-sized Daleks, one larger Dalek
(with the pretty useless sliding door).

As you and other have mentioned the sliding door or the removable door
at the base of the Dalek is pretty much useless. This is also my
experience. A Dalek without the door works better.

I don't know about a Dalek without the door working better. It's only
that the pressure of the stuff behind the door (and jamming up the
sliding bits) makes it very difficult to open and close the door.
Otherwise, the two are equally effective.

[alan_m]

Post by Ian Jackson

Post by alan_m

Post by Ian Jackson
I also have four bins (two normal-sized Daleks, one larger Dalek
(with  the pretty useless sliding door).

As you and other have mentioned the sliding door or the removable door
at the base of the Dalek is pretty much useless. This is also my
experience. A Dalek without the door works better.

I don't know about a Dalek without the door working better. It's only
that the pressure of the stuff behind the door (and jamming up the
sliding bits) makes it very difficult to open and close the door.
Otherwise, the two are equally effective.

No, the material close to the door often dries out and does not compost.
Furthermore the real compost at the bottom of the bin is usually highly
compacted and is near impossible to remove via the little door. Watch
any advert for these types of bin and you will find that they don't
truly reflect real world experiences. The adverts show perfect light
compost being removed from the base of the Dalek through the door. The
adverts were filmed in half a day and what you see being removed is the
six bags of peat potting composted they put in the bin a few minutes
beforehand.