Description
The Hotbin Mega is a batch composter which is suitable for large family households or allotments. It features all the benefits of the original Hotbin design, but it's designed to handle larger volumes than the more compact 200l version. The Mega will happily gobble your organic waste from the kitchen and garden, producing nutritious finished compost in as little as 90 days. What's more, there is no labour required on your part: no turning or tumbling, and no accelerators are necessary.
The Hotbin can compost all year round; even when the temperatures cool down, the insulated bin will ensure that organic waste keeps breaking down at high temperatures. Once the temperature gets above 40c, you can even add cooked food waste and weeds into the mix as well.
The Hotbin will keep out Vermin such as rats and mice. The charcoal filter under the lid panel minimises smells, and when closed firmly, there should be no detectable odours.
What Goes in to the Hotbin?
Over 40°C: cooked food waste, weeds, pet food, biodegradable pet bedding
Under 40°C: garden waste, fruit and veg scraps, saw dust, tea and coffee, chicken pellets, horse manure
Dimensions:
450 Litre : 1160mm wide x 860mm depth x 730mm high
Supplied flatpack - assembly required (2 people recommended)
Also available is the Mega 700 litre, as well as an expansion kit which allows you to expand the 450 into a 700 litre capacity unit at a later date. See our composter section.
Pests
While unlikely, larger animals like Pine Martens can on occasion gain entry to a hotbin but there are steps you can take to keep them out.
- Keep things tidy after BBQs or garden parties
- If you have had Pine martins in your garden before then don’t add any cooked food waste for the first year of composting
- Try to keep the heap hot - the thermophilic temperatures will quickly break down food scraps
- Only add cooked food waste if the internal temperature is above 40 degrees C and make sure to bury it under a layer of other compostable material
- Keep it aerobic rather than anaerobic (without air). Anaerobic heaps can turn particularly smelly which can attract vermin.
- Wrapping the bin and lid with wire mesh or chicken wire can provide an extra barrier to attacks from wildlife.
- If pine martins continue to be a menace, it might be best to locate your Hotbin in a shed or bin room.
Tips:
To maintain the HOTBIN Mega's temperature you need a minimum quantity of approx. 20Kgs of waste per week to maintain hot composting. (20 Kgs or 40 litres, roughly one mower box full or ½ a wheel barrow full).
Add in shredded paper or card to control moisture levels when adding wet waste items like fruit and vegetable waste and grass. Also a great way to recycle paper and cardboard packaging.
Add in bulking agent (partially composted woodchip) to provide aeration.
