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Compost Tumblers
Here is a list of the most popular compost tumblers on the market:
(according to Amazon - 08/19/09)
#1 - Achla CMP-05 Spinning Horizontal Composter
I find this hard to believe actually. It's not the cheapest tumbler out there (see #2) and it's not the most well known brand either. But I guess it's the fact that it looks easy to use and it's decent price make it very popular among people shopping to compost tumblers. 
#2 - Envirocycle Composter
The Envirocycle Composter being on this list makes more sense to me. It's nice looking, doesn't take up a lot of space, easy to spin and has the lowest price on this list. And I think that's why this model is a very popular choice with school gardening programs. 
#3 - Tumbleweed Composter
I don't know why it's called the tumbleweed composter since it doesn't really look like a tumbleweed. It's more of a garbage can that was skewed through the middle by an axle. Well, regardless of the name this thing mixes compost ingredients well. A slow spin will cause the contents to move from the top to the bottom and back again. The legs look a little flimsy though.
#4 - Back Porch Compost Tumbler
I can see why The Back Porch Compost Tumbler belongs on the back porch. It's ugly. It looks more like something you'd see at bingo night instead of in the garden. But regardless, it has a great reputation for making fast compost.
#5 - MANTIS® ComposT-Twin
At $499, I'm surprised that this one even made the list. It's the Cadillac of compost tumblers. If you want a big tumbler, that spins easily and you want it from a brand name that you can trust then this is it. I still can't get over the price but at least they offer free shipping, a money back guarantee, free activator and a Guide to Composting. It's not in my budget but it is on my wish list.
4 Comments:
I especially like the raised-up design - you can see & reach inside of them without crouching at ground level. It also looks like you could fit a cart or barrow under the Mantis to catch and take the finished compost away.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I am very excited and it seemed like a very good deal. I was relieved to read your post about it being a seemingly good bargain.
You can put all of your raw materials in a regular compost bin or even just a pile in your yard. Then use it to fill up the tumbler. When the tumbler is done with the batch, then use the compost and start a new batch.