HOTFROG HF-RC4000WB 37 Gallon Single Chamber Batch Tumbling Composter Instructions
- June 1, 2024
- HOTFROG
Table of Contents
HOTFROG HF-RC4000WB 37 Gallon Single Chamber Batch Tumbling Composter
Product Specifications
- Model: HF-RC4000WB
- Manufacturer: Forest City Models & Patterns Ltd.
- Website: www.fcmponline.com
- Warranty: One (1) Year Warranty on Manufacturer Defects
Product Usage Instructions
What to Put in Your Composter:
- The composting process works best by mixing moist greens (nitrogen rich) with dry browns (carbon rich) in a ratio of approximately 1 part greens to 2 parts browns. Greens include kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and garden & house plants. Browns include leaves, straw/hay, sawdust, twigs, wood ashes, and excluding invasive plants/weeds.
- Start with a scoop of regular garden dirt to introduce the needed microbes.
Setting-up your Composter:
First, select a location that is convenient to move materials to and from,
usually close to a garden. Choose a flat surface with enough room to rotate
the composter. If possible, place it in direct sunlight to aid in the
composting process.
Removing Finished Compost:
- To remove the finished compost, turn the barrel of the composter so the door is facing the ground and slide the door away from the chamber. Roll the composter to your garden and empty the compost there.
- With the palm of your hand, gently tap the sides and roll to loosen most of the compost. Close the door and return to the base.
FAQ
-
Q: How long does it take for the compost to be ready?
A: Depending on the materials added, your compost should be ready in 2 to 8 weeks. -
Q: What can I do if my compost mix does not heat up?
A: Check the ratio of greens to browns and adjust accordingly. You can also aerate the mix to encourage faster decomposition.
ROLLING COMPOSTER INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing our tumbling composter.
- www.fcmponline.com
- Copyright © 2018 GRANDMARK Ltd.
Setting-up your Composter
First select a location to install your composter that is convenient to move materials to and from, usually close to a garden. Choose a flat surface with enough room to be able to rotate the composter and if able, be sure to select a location in direct sunlight, to help cook your compost.
What to put in your Composter
The composting process works best by mixing moist greens (nitrogen rich) with
dry browns. (carbon rich) in a ratio of approximately 1 part greens to 2 parts
browns. Start with a scoop of regular garden dirt to introduce the needed
microbes.
Greens are:
- kitchen scraps
- grass clippings
- garden & house plants
Browns are:
- leaves
- straw/hay
- saw dust
- twigs
Do not compost:
- meats/fats/bones
- dairy products
- trash/plastic
- wood ashes
- invasive plants/weeds (i.e. poison ivy)
COMPOSTING TIPS
3 Rules of Composting
- Quality Materials and Proper Ratio of Greens (Nitrogen) to Browns (Carbon) – approximately, 1 part greens to 2 parts browns
- Consistent Moisture – mix should feel like a damp sponge
- Good Air Circulation – turn the composter every few days after the batch heats up to help aerate mix and encourage faster decomposition
Grass cycling:
Leave grass clippings on your lawn or use them as mulch. This is an excellent
source of nitrogen and helps absorb water.
Trouble Shooting
- Compost Mix does not heat up:
- Mix is too wet – add dry browns
- Mix is too dry – add water
- Mix ratio is off – check green/brown ratio and add accordingly
- Odor
- – Ammonia smell means too much nitrogen (greens) – add dry browns
- – Putrid smell ( like rotten eggs) means mix is too wet and/or not enough oxygen
- add dry browns to absorb excessive moisture and turn composter –open air vent
- Problems with Pests/Insects
- Rodents are attracted to meat and fatty foods – remove them
- Flies/insects are attracted to uncovered wastes, especially kitchen scraps
- mix or cover with brown materials or finished compost
Small shredded materials decompose faster. Run your lawnmower over pine needles or leaves and cut up kitchen scraps to speed the composting process.
Forest City Models & Patterns Ltd. Warranty
- One (1) Year Warranty on Manufacturer Defects. Warranty excludes cracking from improper use/storage.
- For warranty issues, please contact Forest City Models & Patterns:
- Forest City Models & Patterns Ltd., 157
- Gerald Parkway, Thorndale, Ontario, Canada N0M 2P0
- Phone: 519-858-5795 Fax: 519-858-9196
- e-mail: csr@fcmponline.com
Batch Composting
- Add new raw material
- Fully rotate 5 Xs – 10 Xs after each deposit, or every 2-3 days.
- To empty a cured batch:
- Roll off base
- Rotate door to bottom
- Slide door to open cured content
- Cured compost will fall out
With the palm of your hand, gently tap sides and roll to loosen most of the compost. Close the door and return to base.
Checking the Process
- After 2 or 3 days, check your mix to see if it is getting hot. When your mix is hot, the beneficial organisms are multiplying and doing their job decomposing materials. Turning the composter 5 to 10 times every 2 or 3 days will mix the materials and keep the process active. Squeeze a handful of compost to ensure the materials are not drying out. If it feels like a damp sponge, the water level is fine – if it feels dry, add a little more water (be careful not to add too much) and turn the composter to mix well.
- Depending on the material you added your compost should be ready in 2 to 8 weeks. Finished compost will contain fine and coarse material. For a fine blend, sift the compost to use in potting mixes.
- Use the coarser compost as a nutritious top dressing around outdoor plantings or till directly into your garden! You may also use finished compost as a starter for your next batch, or to heat up a batch that cooled too quickly.
- To remove the finished compost, turn the barrel of the composter so the door is facing the ground and slide the door away from the chamber.
- TIP Roll the composter to your garden and empty compost there.