FCMP OUTDOOR RM4000 Tumbling Composter Instructions
- June 5, 2024
- FCMP OUTDOOR
Table of Contents
TUMBLING COMPOSTER
INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing our tumbling composter.
www.fcmponline.com
RM4000
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.
To assemble, you will need an adjustable wrench and flat screwdriver. An
additional set of hands will be helpful too! Complete assembly instructions
are included on inserted sheets.
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 part 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
– sawdust
– twigs
Do not compost:
– meats/fats/bones
– dairy products
– trash/plastic
– wood ashes
– invasive plants/weeds (i.e. poison ivy)
Batch Composting
To empty a cured batch:
- Small tarp or plastic sheet on ground
- Rotate door to bottom
- Slide door to open cured content
- Cured compost will fall out
- Slide tarp out
Opening the door between the leg-stand will lock rotation. With the palm of your hand, gently tap sides to loosen most of the compost. Close the door and return to upright.
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.
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
Grasscycling:
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.
For more information, instructional videos, compost accessories and more composting tips visit www.fcmponline.com
Assembly Instructions
www.fcmponline.com
Stand Assembly:/Assemblage du cadre :
Stand Assembly Order: BB > CC > DD > BB > CC > DD
www.fcmponline.com
Forest City Models & Patterns Ltd. Warranty
One (1) Year Warranty on Manufacturer Defects. Warranty excludes cracking
from improper use.
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:
[email protected]