Compost Tumblers: Low Yield, High Effort

Compost tumblers sound great but underdeliver: hard to turn when half-full, poor mixing, small yield (20% of input volume). A 55-gallon drum half-filled yields ~1 shoebox of compost.

Better Alternative: Static Pile

Minimum 4'×6'×4' pile, layered greens/browns, turned occasionally. Produces 10× more compost with less work.

If You Build a Tumbler

• Source food-grade 55-gal drum (pickle/olive barrels).
• Build sturdy frame—drum + wet compost = heavy.
• Don't overfill—50% max for mixing.
• Maintain 30:1 C:N ratio, moisture like wrung sponge.

Good STEM project for kids, but don't expect meaningful compost volume.