Sometimes you try things that seem like a great idea, but they did not meet expectations.
During our first year here on the homestead I made two composting drums from those blue 55 gallon containers. I cut a door in the side, added hinges, latches, handles, and put baffles on the inside to help mix the compost. The frame is made from 2 x 4 lumber built in an “A” frame. Wheels were added for the drum to set on so we could turn the drum to mix the compost.
This type of compost system decreases the time it normally takes to compost table scraps because the sun will heat the inside. Mixing the contents insures that the compost breaks down quickly. For several months, we added table scraps and turned the drum every day. The result was that just after a month or two we had great compost for the garden.
However, we lost interest for a three reasons. One, we got chickens and they love table scraps which cuts down on the feed bill. Second, we got better at conserving food which reduced our left overs. Third, we figured out that this method would never provide the volume of compost we needed for the garden. With a limited amount of composting material, it was not worth the effort so the drums have set unused for almost four years setting among the weeds.
I guess the moral is that it is good to try new things. Even though this compost system did not meet our need, we still learned a little on our homesteading journey.
Have a great day! Every comment is up-voted and thanks for your up-vote, Tim and Joann