Review Article: VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter Dual Rotating Batch Compost Bin
As the world continues to embrace sustainability and eco-friendly practices, composting has gained immense popularity among homeowners and gardeners alike. One notable product making waves in the composting community is the VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter, a dual rotating batch compost bin boasting a capacity of 43 gallons. This bin, crafted from galvanized steel and designed in a striking black color, promises durability, efficiency, and convenience. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its features, benefits, and drawbacks based on user experiences, to help you determine if this composter is the right fit for your composting needs.
Product Overview
- Brand: VIVOSUN
- Material: Galvanized Steel
- Color: Black
- Capacity: 43 Gallons
- Dimensions: 26.25″L x 23.6″W x 36.5″H
- Shape: Octagonal
- Item Weight: 21.7 Pounds
- Country of Origin: China
Key Features
1. Dual Chamber Design
One of the standout features of the VIVOSUN composter is its dual chamber design. This innovative setup allows users to continuously add fresh waste while one side finishes composting. The ability to alternate between chambers creates an uninterrupted stream of nutrient-rich compost, making it ideal for households producing regular kitchen scraps.
2. 360° Tumbling Design
The 360° tumbling design eliminates the need for manual digging or mixing. With deep fins on all eight panels, users can easily turn the compost bin, enhancing aeration and promoting efficient decomposition. This design saves time and effort, making composting a hassle-free experience.
3. Excellent Aeration
Good aeration is crucial for effective composting, and this bin excels in that area. The air vents allow for proper air circulation, preventing excessive internal pressure and potential explosions. The deep fins help break up clumps, ensuring optimal fermentation and oxygen flow, which contributes to faster composting.
4. Sturdy and Durable Construction
Constructed from premium metal and high-quality polypropylene plastic, the VIVOSUN composter is built to last. Its corrosion-resistant and weathering-resistant materials promise longevity and durability, making it a worthy investment for your gardening endeavors.
5. Garden Gloves Included
The product comes with a pair of waterproof garden gloves, which protect your hands during composting and gardening tasks. These gloves include durable ABS plastic claws, making digging and planting easier.
User Experiences
Pros
- Easy to Move: Many users noted that the bin is easy to relocate, especially when empty, allowing for flexible placement.
- Extra Parts Provided: The inclusion of extra screws, nuts, and pipe end caps is a thoughtful touch that is appreciated by users.
- Self-tightening Nuts: The self-tightening nuts save time and effort during assembly, eliminating the need for someone to hold the nut in place while tightening.
- Large Capacity: The 43-gallon size is perfect for families, with ample space for compostable waste.
- Smooth Tumbling Action: Users reported that the tumbler rotates smoothly, making it easy to mix compost.
- Sturdy Legs: The legs are described as sturdy and easy to assemble, contributing to the overall stability of the bin.
Cons
- Assembly Challenges: While some found assembly manageable, others reported that it could be time-consuming and complicated, especially for those unfamiliar with DIY projects.
- Poorly Labeled Parts: A common complaint was the lack of labeling on parts, which led to confusion during assembly.
- Potential for Spillage: Some users mentioned that compost liquid could drip out during rotation, suggesting that placing the bin on grass could mitigate this issue.
- Occasional Odor and Bug Issues: A few users experienced minor odors and noted the presence of mosquitoes when opening the bin.
Conclusion
The VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter Dual Rotating Batch Compost Bin presents a compelling option for anyone looking to start or enhance their composting journey. Its dual chamber design, excellent aeration, and sturdy construction make it a valuable addition to any garden. While assembly may pose challenges due to poorly labeled parts and some users’ experiences with odors, the overall functionality and capacity of the bin deliver on its promises.
For those interested in making composting not only sustainable but also convenient, the VIVOSUN composter is worth considering. It provides a practical solution for reducing kitchen waste while producing rich compost for your garden.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
The VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter earns a solid four-star rating due to its innovative design, quality materials, and effectiveness in composting. However, it falls short of a perfect score due to the assembly difficulties and minor issues reported by users. If you are prepared for some DIY effort, this composter could become an invaluable asset in your gardening toolkit.
Sidney Pritchard –
The instructions were straightforward and easy to follow, and they included extra screws in case any were misplaced. Once assembled, it is very sturdy and ready for composting. We’re really enjoying it so far.
Tantor Unk Mangani –
I no longer toss vegetable scraps in the trash; they now go into the tumbler. I set it up on my side terrace (second floor apartment) and started by adding some soil before incorporating the scraps. I tumble the mix daily, and within just a few days, it transforms into “pellets” resembling goat manure. I’m not sure about the science behind it, but it works wonders in the sun and rain—no smell and no pest issues! I use the nutrient-rich compost in my small urban garden with containers.
As for assembly, it is quite time-consuming. It took my teenage son about two hours to put it together with minimal help. However, once it’s properly assembled (make sure all screws are firmly in place!), it’s sturdy and holds plenty of scraps. It does get heavy as you add more, making it a great upper body workout when tumbling!
I particularly appreciate the dual chamber feature. I’m following the recommendation of using one side for collecting leaves to dry out for the next composting cycle, while the other side is designated for vegetable scraps. I’m very happy with the results and believe it’s worth the investment!
Lisa Op –
The barrel is fantastic, and I’m really pleased with it. However, the lack of labels on the parts made assembly quite challenging. Additionally, I had trouble tightening the bolts that secure the barrel to the stand; they feel very loose. I’ll need to find a replacement for the bolt.
Lisa Roberts –
Great design and quality, works well. The waste decomposes, and after assembling it (which took over an hour with two people), the product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Negative points: Occasionally, small pieces of eggshell can escape through the micro ventilation holes, which isn’t a major issue but worth noting. Another thing to consider is that any compost will release some liquid, especially when turning it. It’s advisable to place a container underneath. Ideally, setting it directly on grass would allow any minor residues and liquids (only a few milliliters) to drain directly into the ground.
We haven’t filled the first compartment yet, but decomposition is progressing well. Be cautious when opening it, as it can attract a lot of mosquitoes, though they are harmless.
Tantor Unk Mangani –
Pros:
1) It comes with extra screws and nuts, which is a rarity these days. This product includes four additional sets of screws and nuts, plus two extra center pipe end caps.
2) The self-tightening nuts are a game-changer. You only need to start them a few turns, and then you can use the included Philips screwdriver to tighten the screws from the outside without needing to hold the nut in place. This is especially helpful since reaching into the bin can be tricky.
3) The plastic thickness is impressive for this type of product, making it feel quite sturdy once assembled.
4) The large 43-gallon capacity is great; it can hold a significant amount of compost.
5) The tumbler rotates smoothly and effortlessly.
6) The legs are robust and simple to assemble.
Cons:
1) Assembly was more challenging than expected. As a 60-year-old with extensive DIY experience, I found this particular assembly tricky. The biggest issue was the center divider, which was supposed to fit into the inner grooved channel but didn’t come close. The manufacturer appears to have opted for a one-size-fits-all approach with the divider, which didn’t work well. I spent more time trying to make the divider fit than assembling the rest of the unit. See my pictures for evidence of the poor fit.
2) Adding panels one at a time around the tumbler was cumbersome. It was sometimes difficult to hold the panels in place while screwing them together. The raised, stubby posts meant to snap into adjacent panels often failed to do so securely, resulting in some loose connections. However, once fully assembled, the sides pulled together well, and the weight of the compost may help tighten any gaps.
Summary: Overall, I believe this product is worth the price and should function effectively for several years.
Dave –
Its effectiveness depends on how it is used.
Cliente de Amazon –
It comes with a lot of screws, and I still haven’t been able to assemble it; it requires two people to put it together.
juan –
The design is excellent, featuring two compartments that make it easy to rotate and place a bucket underneath for collecting finished compost for my vegetable garden. The assembly instructions are clear and well-illustrated. However, using nuts and bolts can be quite tedious and time-consuming. I opted for 3/16 inch diameter and 1/2 inch long rivets for fastening, which was much easier and quicker. I would have rated this product 5 stars if it came with rivets and a tool instead of nuts, bolts, and a screwdriver.
Lisa Op –
I really appreciated how easy this was to assemble, despite the numerous parts, and to install in my yard. The orange doors do tend to fade a bit in direct sunlight, but this doesn’t impact their performance. I like the little “+” sign; it’s a great reminder of which side to add to and which side to leave alone. The gloves that come with it are handy, although they become a bit sticky after a few uses and were slightly large for my small hands – the liners are a nice touch. This unit is also great for keeping pests out of the compost due to its enclosed design.
Josephine –
The assembly was straightforward, and the quality appears to be good. The composting capacity is suitable for our small homesteading family. It’s lightweight when empty, making it easy to relocate before filling it. I appreciate the two chambers, though the divider doesn’t align perfectly with the center groove. It seems stable, but that aspect of the assembly could be improved.
NJ Campbell –
Simple to put together by yourself. Once assembled, it has a substantial weight. Excellent quality with no unpleasant odor. It offers ample storage, rotates effortlessly, and prevents any spills while providing generous capacity.