Holiday checklist - What to do before departure

Things to consider before you go

If you are going on holiday soon (lucky you), you might be wondering what will happen to your HOTBIN in the meantime. It is completely normal to discover that the internal temperature of your HOTBIN has dropped upon your return. Even so, it should still be at a higher temperature than a cold compost bin. This temperature drop occurs because no new waste is being added to the bin, which contributes to a food shortage for the bacteria.

Of course, you can choose to have a HOTBIN sitter, but if you decide not to, don't despair. Below we share a few steps to keep the composting process as optimal as possible during your holiday;

1. Add enough waste before you go on holiday
   Ensure that the final feed before you leave consists of as much varied waste with different breakdown rates as possible. Think of a mix of grass clippings, woody material, and kitchen waste. Don't forget to add shredded paper and bulking agent as well. This should provide the thermophilic bacteria with slow, medium, and fast energy sources that will digest at varying rates during your absence. This slows down the cooling process of the HOTBIN's contents.
   
   
2. When you are back from holiday
   Add new waste to your HOTBIN as soon as possible. Don't forget the shredded paper and bulking agent here either.
   Tip: use a higher percentage of easily digestible waste, such as grass clippings and vegetable waste. This provides the dormant bacteria with a new quick energy source and encourages them to consume the new material, which will quickly generate heat again. After that, add sufficient waste as you are used to doing in order to achieve a normal temperature rise.
   
   
3. If your HOTBIN no longer heats up after you return
   Have the tips above not helped and your HOTBIN isn't warming up? Then add the refillable water bottle for a boost to the bacterial process. Place it in the top layer of waste and cover the entire bottle with fresh waste. Leave the HOTBIN closed for at least 24 hours after this.

Note: follow the instructions on the kickstart bottle carefully to avoid injury.

Continue adding waste once the temperature in the HOTBIN has risen to achieve warm composting of 40-60 degrees Celsius again.

Have a wonderful holiday!