HOTBIN MEGA User manual

!
Grab a Tea and Read Me
Welcome to HOTBIN Composting
What’s That Smell?
A cabbagey/earthy odour is normal whilst
an ammonia whiff is temporary and related
to composting grass. Putrid odours indicate
an anaerobic bin which can be fixed by
re-balancing the oxygen and moisture
levels by mixing in woody material and
paper/card. Seek further help if required.
Composting Grass
Adding too much grass can result in a slimy,
smelly mess. Add grass in thin layers mixed
with shredded paper. If adding more than
60ltrs at a time (large mower box) without
any other garden waste, we recommend
adding in an extra 1/10 to 1/20 (10-20%) of
woody material to improve aeration.
Keep the Heat In
Always ensure that the walls are fitted
together tightly with no gaps and secure
using the ratchet strap(s). The lid should
always be pushed down firmly into place.
Is the Heap too Dry?
Depending on the mix of materials being
composted, sometimes the contents can
become quite dry. Both water and oxygen
are required to keep bacteria working so for
a really dry heap add 5ltrs of tepid water to
keep bacteria composting effectively.
HOTBIN Composting
email: [email protected] |web: hotbincomposting.com | call: 0808 168 8499
What About Rats?
Avoid adding cooked food into the bin if
you have an existing issue with rats. Rats
can and will chew through almost
anything including concrete.
Always Clean Up
Keep the HOTBIN clean, ensure no food
waste is left around the base or
surrounding area. Wipe around lid and
wall seals to clear any loose waste or
compost that may cause an imperfect fit.
This will help contain odours which may
attract vermin.
Best Place to Locate The Bin?
Sun or shade! Locate on a flat level
surface with access to all four sides as this
will aid assembly, disassembly and fixing
the ratchet strap(s) into place.
How Much Waste To Keep it Hot?
Minimum of approx 20kg (40ltrs), that’s
1 mower box or ½ a wheelbarrow.
Winter Composting
To jump start winter composting, add 5 ltrs
of boiling water to the heap or use a HDPE
bottle filled with boiling water such as our
kick start bottle (available to purchase).
FAQ’s and tips
HOTBIN has a 3 year manufacturer’s guarantee.
This excludes damage caused by wildlife and undue care.
v.1-22
Need More Advice? We Are Here to Help!
Call free 0808 168 8499
Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm
Sign up for the
free newsletter
Chat on the forum
and social media
HOTBIN advice
on YouTube
Composting is a natural process involving
micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi).
Humans have been composting safely
for thousands of years, however we
advise adhering to basic hygiene.
• Always wear gloves, cover cuts and
wash hands after composting.
• DO NOT leave kitchen caddy, gloves
or other composting equipment near
food preparation surfaces.
Health and Safety
• Take appropriate precautions if you
suffer from asthma or related respiratory
conditions e.g. wear a dust mask.
• Take care when handling hot water,
thermometer & chopping waste.
• Check the temperature is at 40°c using
an internal thermometer before adding
cooked food waste and weeds.
Please read the online health and safety
advice in the HOTBIN help section.
Two person assembly recommended

HOW TO START
COMPOSTING
Locate the base on a flat, level
surface with access to all four
walls. Push the aeration pipes
into place so they are flush
with the corners of the base.
Align the lid so that the keyhole
(a) in the lid recess is on the left
as you face the unit. Then push
the lid down firmly into place.
Place the filter bag (b) into the
lid recess, fit the lid panel (c)
front edge first then situate the
thermometer (d) and valve (e).
How to Use
Add green/brown garden or kitchen waste - see
‘What Goes In’ below for waste requiring 40c.
NB: Heat will be generated once a base layer of
30cm of waste is maintained inside the unit.
Add fresh waste 2-3 times a week mixed with
shredded paper/card and woody material (see
‘The Mix’ table below). Lightly incorporate this
with the top of the old waste.
Anatomy
Aeration Pipes
Located in all four
corners - air is drawn
in to aerate the heap
Ratchet Strap
Keeps walls secure,
do not over-tighten
Hand Grips
Helpful for locating
and moving walls
Emptying Compost
Empty every 90 days or when the compost
quality suits your needs.
To empty, remove the lid and set aside the top
layer of uncomposted waste. Remove the walls,
empty the bin and then add back into the bin
the top layer of uncomposted material.
Waste Digestion
Waste can be easy or hard for bacteria to
digest which affects the heat cycle. Like a
human diet, sugary foods provide a quick
energy boost, but a banana will provide a
slow release of energy over a longer time.
Chop and Shred Waste
Chopping increases the surface area
available for bacteria to break down waste.
The greater the surface area the faster the
speed of breakdown and heat release.
Mix! Don’t Layer Waste
Air circulates through the aeration pipes in the
base and gets drawn up through the HOTBIN
like a chimney. Layers of waste restrict air flow.
Top Tip: Break up any matted grass layers.
Dry and Wet Waste
Dry waste - hedge clippings, hard woody
prunings/twigs. This helps with aeration.
Wet waste - food waste and grass. This needs
shredded paper/card to offset moisture and
prevent the HOTBIN becoming a soggy mess.
Thermometer
View the
temperature
Aeration Valve
Open to a
max 45°
°
angle
HOTBIN
ASSEMBLY
Align walls and push together -
securing around the middle
with the ratchet strap.
Lower one short wall into place,
then the opposite side pushing
down until all lock into place.
Repeat these steps to build the 700 litre model
SUPERCHARGE IT!
Speed Up the Base Layer
To speed up compost production, build the
30cm base layer quickly, aim to sustain this
depth or more for continued heat production.
Woody Material
Provides Aeration
W
e
a
r
G
l
o
v
e
s
!
The Mix: How Much Paper/Woody Material to Add
Waste
Paper/Card
Controls Moisture
OVER 40°c- Cooked food waste, weeds,
pet food, biodegradable pet bedding
UNDER 40°c - Garden waste, fruit and
vegetable scraps, saw dust, tea and
coffee, chicken pellets, horse manure
*exhaustive list available online
What Goes In*
Lid Recess
watch
Grass:
Garden Waste:
Food Waste: Ratio of 1/2 (50%) Ratio of 1/5 (20%)
N/A N/A
Ratio 1/4 (25%) 1/10-1/20* (10-20%)
*Important: See ‘Composting Grass’ FAQ on the back page.