It may happen that, despite following the user manual, you have difficulty getting the HOTBIN to a temperature of 40-60 degrees Celsius. We understand this can be frustrating and are happy to help you on your way. Thanks to our years of composting experience, we are convinced that we can help all our customers with composting, provided they have enough waste.
Use enough waste to heat up the HOTBIN
To get the HOTBIN to the right temperature and keep it there, it is important that the ‘critical mass’ of waste is reached and maintained. Before that point, the HOTBIN will not heat up. The ‘critical mass’ is reached when the waste reaches the height of the harvest hatch, or to just under half of the HOTBIN. Have you just installed the HOTBIN? Please keep this in mind.
Perform an internal temperature check
The thermometer on the lid shows the estimated temperature inside the HOTBIN. For a more accurate temperature reading, we always recommend performing an internal temperature check, as these two readings can differ when the HOTBIN is not yet completely full. This internal thermometer is included as standard.
Check the HOTBIN air vent settings and keep the harvest hatch closed
To prevent heat loss, open the HOTBIN air vent only 2mm. Check the settings and ensure that you do not close the air vent completely afterwards to avoid restricting the airflow. After checking the settings, it is important to ensure that the harvest hatch is firmly closed and that the straps are tight to prevent heat loss.
Feed the HOTBIN two to three times a week
The HOTBIN is a hungry creature. When bacteria are busy digesting food, heat is generated. Take humans as an example: if we run around, we create heat, but to run around we need a lot of energy (food). Some foods are easier to digest and provide energy faster (like your favorite chocolate bar, for example). Other foods are digested less quickly and release less heat over a longer period (like your high-fiber breakfast cereals, for example). To maintain a high temperature, you must feed the HOTBIN the following:
- HOTBIN 200 liter – Minimum amount of waste: 5KG or 10 liters per week
- HOTBIN Mini 100 liter – Minimum amount of waste: 2.5KG or 5 liters per week
To keep the temperature up, you must ensure there is enough variety in the waste. In addition, there must be enough - easily digestible waste - inside. On our homepage, you can download the checklist: 170 materials to compost with the HOTBIN. This list shows, for example, what is easier-to-digest organic waste.
Feed the HOTBIN a good mix of waste types
The HOTBIN works best with a mixture of finely chopped waste that is both easy and difficult to digest. Are you having trouble keeping the temperature at 40 degrees? Try adding a bit more easily digestible waste to promote rapid decomposition and heat production. Don't forget to balance it with the right amount of shredded paper/cardboard and wood chips to absorb excess moisture and promote good airflow in the unit.
Ensure air circulation and check humidity
Airflow: Without the addition of wood chips and woody materials, the waste in the HOTBIN will quickly turn into a slimy sludge, which does not benefit air circulation. As an aerobic (oxygen-rich) composter, it is important to keep adding wood chips regularly. Note: mix these chips through the waste, do not add them in layers. Adding grass? Make sure it is not clumped together and is well mixed with the rest of the waste. Also, ensure the lid is not open for too long to prevent heat loss.
Humidity: to prevent the HOTBIN from getting too wet and, in the worst case, becoming anaerobic (oxygen-poor), shredded paper/cardboard must be added to every feeding to absorb moisture. If you suspect that the contents of your HOTBIN are too wet, add more of these moisture-absorbing materials. Mix them well with the existing contents.
Empty the HOTBIN every 3 – 6 months
To prevent the airflow to the waste above from being hindered because the base layer becomes too dense and compact, you must harvest the created compost every 3 to 6 months.
Done everything right, but still not warm enough?
- Watch HOTBIN videos on YouTube from experienced gardeners. The HOTBIN was introduced in the UK in 2011, so there are many informative English-language videos online.
- Contact us and include the following photos so we can provide targeted feedback. We are happy to look into this with you.
- A photo of the top: lid/air vent;
- Front: harvest hatch door/bottom half of the HOTBIN;
- Side: harvest hatch door/left sides;
- Side: harvest hatch door/right sides;
- Inside: top of the waste inside;
- Behind the door: waste behind the harvest hatch.
