Jump to the following parts of the Episode: 00:10 Update of My Compost Alley 02:00 I am not a perfect Composter 03:00 I thought I was successfully making compost 03:40 Showing Rust on Jora Composters 06:55 I live in an Arid climate 07:34 Rusted Panels I have replaced over time 10:03 Email Chain from Jora Composters 13:41 Jora Composters Best Practices 15:54 What I think Jora Should Do 18:17 The Composter Tumber I recommend Instead
Does the jora composter have a vent so condition can be released from composting if not there is the reason why they rust out no vent it has to find a way out or the compost rots which decay set in bring down the composter as well as the compost and the should use rhino liner to coat the inside for longer life those one there talking about lasting ten years or more has been the ones who had the rhino liner installed after purchase it a year later to save it. And all the ones I have seen had no vent and had been installed after purchase. Or they stopped making them out of 16 gage metal and went to a light gage which on is going to last a couple years anyway no matter what you do . Same thing with grills for cooking I get mad when I send good money on supposedly good grill just to have it rust out in a couple years I cleaned it and took care of it just to find out the metal it was made of can take twenty to thirty times you cook on it it rust out due to heat damage. I no just how you feel.
Thank you for making this video. I was going to buy this composter.... Because of you, so thank you for the follow up. That being said, I have an extensive background in composting, and if you do not make your compost "correctly" then the only thing you should suffer as a result is bad compost.... Not a ruined composter.
I asked the wife for a Jora as a birthday gift a few years back after watching your video. She has a PhD in engineering and is very detail and instruction sheet oriented. I am more visual and watched a UA-cam video about putting together the Jora, which gave me a number of tips and tricks not in the instructions. One of the top-rated comments under that video was, "If you want to get a divorce, buy a Joraform and put it together with your spouse." After watching the video, I knew it was going to be a challenge, but we tackled it. A few times we butted heads, but I excused myself to go re-watch the video and even showed her some of the tips. Ultimately my JK270 is together, the balance is a little off, but we won't talk about that!! It has worked well for me. Initially I had an issue keeping it moist and my ratio got a little off. Finally got it solved using brown hedge trimmings and green grass clippings and am successfully making compost for my flower beds and yard. Luckily so far I haven't had any issues with rust.
This is why I love John. Honest review no ego and looking out for his followers. We are all just looking for a quality product for what we need to accomplish.
Thank you so much for your honesty. I live in an extremely wet climate and was seriously considering ordering a Jora composter. With the wet climate, I could probably be that perfect composter and still have major rust issues. I think I'll stick to the plastic tumblers for now.
I HAD a Jora but it now resides in the landfill due to rust. It became unusable in just four years. You are on point...Jora needs to upgrade the design. I have a Yimby plastic tumbler that has no rust and still going strong.
I bought a JK270 back in 2014 when they were $389... started falling apart after the first Northern winter here in zone 4. Now I just plop leaves and food scraps in old plastic laundry tubs or 5 gallon buckets. Easier to move around, open to bugs (vermiculture), and basically free.
Man, i bought a Jora last year and started seeing rust at the bottom plate, opposite from the access hatch. Moist from kitchen scraps is unavoidable so a better design needs to be adressed. I use pine pellets when it starts smelling ammonia and it works. I also use one of those long Thermometers to keep it where it needs to be at , but thats only when it has a fresh batch cooling off after a few days. Ive been thinking on adding charcoal in one chamber to activate biochar then use it on the raised beds. Lets see what Jora will do in the coming months to improve their product. Good video amigo, we thank you for honest review on the Jora composters.
First of all, I have not used Jora composter. However, I can relate to the problem you have. It seems to be the company's design flaw with iron especially it's happened to all your four composter doors. Viewers already commented that you do need moisture to make compost. In addition, compost process itself produces water as well. Compost gets dry because of heat evaporation. All the escaping vapor will condense near door open area and seam. Most important point is that organic acids are formed in the initial stages of the aerobic decomposition process, even though the final compost is about neutral. So the acidic condition is not only due to overly wet materials. With a scratch or two on the door, it will rust out pretty quick.
I was soooo close to buying a Joraform "Big Pig" and before clicking I thought to myself ...."Better have a check-up on what JK thinks about them and if he still thinks they are no,1" Think I just saved myself £550.00 on a pile of rust. Thanks John !
Thanks John for being a stand-up, conscientious dude! After watching your best composter video, I almost pulled the trigger on a JK270. Thank you for making this video and I will follow your recommendation on the Lifetime Model #60058. Keep up the great video work you do!
I learned so much from John. Now I supply high end restaurants with microgreens and I have this Jora Composters. I needed this info because same here John. Lonely composter
Thanks for putting out this video!! I was looking to buy a composter for friends and family this Christmas but I know they won't be perfect composters and was debating on what to get other than the Jora as others have shown rust. I'll get the lifetime you recommend!!
You won’t be able to find any of the 80 gallon Lifetime tumblers. The FCMP IM4000 is a decent entry level compost tumbler. A bit small for a family of 4-6 but reasonably priced. I started with it years ago and graduated to two of the lifetime 80 gallon units. I still have the IM4000 and it still works perfectly. No rust, cracks or broken pieces
Thank you John, mine started rusting but I've had it over 10 years and it's in the shade because that's the only place for it. It's so dry in Vegas I would put water in it to keep it moist because i never had enough wet produce to put in it. I thought maybe I could duct tape it so it wouldn't fall apart so I watched Project Farm to find the best duct tape.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you have to be your own guy. Even the people that know what they're doing aren't going to put the same time, care, and effort into something for you like they would for themselves. With a few exceptions, you're better off looking up how to do something yourself from multiple sources and trying it yourself. More often than not you'll get better results for less money with a bonus of new skills and knowledge. I live in a very small city with a very small pool of people offering services (mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc.). Many of them are the only "guy" and have been doing it for 20 years, but stopped learning 20 years ago, and because there's no competition, they don't have much incentive to improve. You would think that somebody that does something for a living would get it done better and quicker than you could, but oddly enough that's not always the case. If you can afford to put in the time and effort to learn new things, depending where you live, it might rarely be the case.
@@redonk1740 You're so right about becoming self sufficient, researching things & developing new skills! It was shocking to learn of the incompetence you speak of when I was first on my own! Blundering "professionals" in various fields scared me into learning everything from grading & house foundations to placing the last roof shingle! Kinda tired of being my own guy & nostalgic for a "Jack of all trades" like my grandparents had, the thought of encouraging new business relationships is appealing! Trade a bucket of produce for some welding, etc! I think the world is headed back that way. Meanwhile, buying items with the long term in mind & supporting the "Right to Repair Movement" is important. And it never hurts to learn all you can, while you can! Thanks for your comment! 😊
Ya John, I bought a Jora based on your video review. I hope if/when mine rusts out they will do the right thing. I am in Florida where rust is a problem anyway.
Thanks for another informative video. How many gardeners are "perfect" composters? Jora is a perfect example of a planned obsolescence product, landfill material. Evasive customer support as well.
Jon been watching you for over 10 years and for me it doesn't matter ALL of these composters break after my last tumbler broke I switched to Johnson su style composting. Have you ever heard of this method? It is FAR superior than any tumbling composters and at a fraction of the cost to set up.
Thanks for being honest. I am glad I didn't get one. My lifetime metal bits did rust out to the point of replacing. I ended up replacing it with a few free pallets and 2 chickens I need to add hardware cloth to the system because the chickens kick everything everywhere but so far I like it so much more.
The only 2 ways to prevent the rust issues are.... The metal must be ... Grade 316 stainless steel, costing almost 3x for materials or ..... Plastic composting design... Micro plastics will leach inevitably over time and it will fail. The stainless steel option is by far superior providing its made from Grade 316, which is exactly what is used for Marine applications! ✔️
I was always sad that I couldnt afford to get a Jora Form like yours. Even when you visited here you told me I would be fine without one though. I have just done open composting in the Geobin for 7 years now. In our Vegas climate it takes about 12-16 months to make open compost but diligently watering it and stirring it up every 6 months I have been able to survive. Maybe Ill have to try one of these Lifetime Composters but even at $175 seems hard to justify.
I love those geobins. I have owned 4. They last and last. Cardboard on top holds in moisture and prevents excess rain. Need a pitchfork to turn occasionally but its good exercise!
I make my compost in a box made by chicken wire around and i cover it with plastic roll under tree shade on a moist place of my garden. Last year i made around a cubic meter of compost ! The biome on that thing was amazing from red worms to white grubs. They chewed everything exept some wood pieces. Open containers are great at inviting creatures that love eating that stuff , i dont see why you need a closed container when you can easily make one with fencing.
Some people can’t turn compost and others may have rats or bear, ect and need it contained. I need mine to stay moist as the hot sand zaps it and I’m not fond of turning it.
Well me to. I now use what amounts to a vented plastic box and I am amazed how much I can put in without it filling up. My goals maybe a little different as I like compost but mostly don’t want to put food scraps in landfills when it doesn’t have to be that way. Thanks for pointing out a problem and a solution. We usually just get “ this are that awful thing is wrong but I have no idea what to do about it”
I have 2 of the lifetime 80 gallon tumblers and they are great. Good luck finding one though, they have been hard to find since 2020. Large volume, no rust and they produce finished compost quickly.
I don't like tumblers at all as I find that ground contact is necessary for the best compost. And it's easier to do without worrying about rot or moisture issues. I like the FreeGarden Earth composter which is super cheap and effective. I get in there with a garden fork to aerate the pile and have good compost in a season or less.
Thank you very much I live in the Mojave desert too so this is very useful information I'm grateful I spent forever on Craigslist trying to figure out what to get. I'm new to gardening and I'm overwhelmed with the amount of information I need to learn. I want to be ready for the spring
I have had several tumbling composters over many years as well. My fave is the ComposTumbler. My first one just rusted out this year... however It is more than 20 years old. I live in an area that gets 45÷ inches of annual rainfall. And I am also not a perfect composter. Also, ComposTumbler sells replacement parts so you can easily replace any part as they age out and rebuild it as needed.
Great recommendation for Joraform to redesign all their models to be made of plastic/non-rusting material! It probably would be cheaper for them to produce them, too. It’s unfortunate that Joraform continues to put out a product that has a major flaw in its design, that being a short product lifespan due to rusting pieces and parts! Personally I think it’s not reasonable to expect people to compost perfectly, the composter should be capable of draining/aerating efficiently and without the process damaging the composter! Things get wet in compost bins! 😀
Thanks for thorough review. Years ago I seen acomposter like this and like that they seem to turn easy for the size and the door is large enough and high enough to get the compost out. I looked at plastic hot bins and tumblers and don’t think the plastic will hold up in the sun and many have too small of door. Why I want a compost unit is to break it down faster without the labor of turning it, to keep it contained instead of it sinking into the ground below and to keep heat in and moist as it dries out too fast in pallet bins. The hot bins have a leachate catch which could be invaluable for savings on liquid fertilizer. So… I have refrigerator building panels and thought I might try to construct a hot bin with them but need to find a few more parts. Meanwhile I’m thinking if I can find a plastic tumbler with large door(s) and reasonably priced I would be better off. The Jora is not cheap and if a simple plastic tumbler is under $100 or about and it lasts at least 2-3 years it would be a better buy than an expensive piece of metal. I’m not too thrilled to learn the foam is exposed and no mixing paddles inside and that’s one reason it maybe balling up, but most have too much green vs carbon. I have opposite problem most of the year as I have tons of arborist chips. I would find it counterintuitive to have to buy any materials to make compost as then you may as well buy compost already made although you wouldn’t know what’s in it. The scraps from supper could just get buried direct to garden. I’ve read the comments as there is a lot to learn from others and some wonder why anyone would want a composter tumbler or bin-some can’t turn compost and some areas have bears, rats ect. Or for general aesthetic reasons. The key to faster compost is to chop up the pieces to 4-6” to expose more surface to microbe action. Have carbon next to bin to add whenever you put greens in. Thank you again and will probably do what I had mentioned because a $400+ tumbler should last a long, long time.
The first sensible comment here. Pallet bays. Simple. Effective. As for the rats? Welcome to the real world. They happen. Set up traps to control them. Or keep buying expensive plastic and metal junk that eventually ends up in a lamdfill and make enough compost with them to feed 2 square feet of garden bed. If you want to grow lots of good quality food without buying expensive compost there is only one logical, cost effective way and it's not using tumblers.
@@FireWoodOfficialbear also. Some don’t understand why people want a bin of some sort. Mine is because I’m done turning it and it doesn’t stay moist enough and we are in drought again. All the good stuff sinks into the ground and I’m feeding the oak.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I value your opinion because I consider you an avid gardener...even professional! We have to look out for each other so we don't waste our money.💸
Can someone explain to me why you need an expensive bin to compost? I've been composting for yrs directly on the ground. Now that I'm in Florida it's a little bit more challenging to get it to stay around because everything soaks down into the sand pretty quickly during rainy season, but now I just compost directly on my soil! Greatly increases soil fertility and no need to turn bins.
I can only speak for myself. Why? My 60 year old broke down body and bad back. Can’t turn a pile like I used too, passive compost takes too long and attracts rats, raccoons and possum. But otherwise I agree that a large compost pile generates some great compost really quick if done right.
A tumbler makes it easier to aerate and mix. The Jora is insulated so it heats up and stays warm through the night, making it decompose faster. An enclosed tumbler also keeps the rats out, which are a significant problem with food scraps.
@@jackalopewright5343 Yeah I guess everyone's situation is different. When I lived in Nebraska I composted in a pile and never noticed any critters, nor have in Florida though it does attract cockroaches. Right now I've been throwing food waste directly under my bananas and it's a win win! Bananas don't grow well in Florida sand and need heavy fertilizer input. I just throw everything under them it's been great. Don't need as much fertilizer.
Yes, every situation for composting is different, so it is very hard to tell someone one system and that is the end all be all for all composting. So, it depends on the materials your composting and where your located, the space you have available, the carbon resource you will be dependant on and the physical and time limitations you have to determine your system. For instance, if I am setting up a composting system for a restaurant, I have to be very mindful of not attracting pest to their location. A tumbler can work great for keeping pest out. In addition, a tumbler can work well for people with physical limitations that can not just get out there with a shovel. That being said, if I am setting up an organization with a tumbler because it fits their individual needs (materials composting / time / physical ability) the last thing I want to do is recommend them to buy a high price ticket item like this one, thinking it will be worth the money because it is durable and will last a long time, and then to come to find out it's junk.
I bought the 2 barrel plastic tumbler from Costco 2 summers ago. The latch mechanism is metal and rusted out. I may return it as Costco doesn't have a limit on their return policy
First problem , metal on metal where the door opens and closes . That will cause scratches in the paint , bare metal will rust . Maybe if they added a rubber gasket around the door that could help . Another problem is the foam itself . Moisture between foam and metal will cause bubbling in paint and you will get more rust. You could get better results doing open air compost with a tarp covering it to control moisture . Check out Geoff Lawton on YT for composting and permaculture .
I still have my first small Lifetime composter which is probably 10 years old. The screws and hingers have rusted. When I emailed Lifetime they replaced the metal parts. The real problem is the nuts & screws have rusted together preventing me from replacing them. Winter is here, and the snow pack is building, so hopefully I'll get the proper tool to cut the metal away. Living off the gulf coast also intensified the rust damage.
Compost too wet? So that’s the cause right? Am I supposed to move my compost tumblers inside? Maybe one on each side of my bed. John’s way too nice. Jora would be stuttering by the time I was done rolling them up.
Warranty = 2 yrs Know rust typically happen within 3-4 yrs Manufacturers knows when their products will fail. Hondas and Toyotas give guarantees for X years because manufacturers know it's highly likely it won't fail in that time, thus they can advertise a guarantee while having minimal free replacements. When I buy something with a free warranty, I know that means the manufacturer likely did their homework on their product already and know that my product has at least a moderate chance to fail the following year. It lets me know the quality of the maker's product before I even buy it lol quite neat if you think of it this way :) I think my laptop had a 2 yr warranty...I know something will happen the 3rd or 4rd yr for sure, and it did lol
I purchased the jora composter because of you and it's a HUGE disappointment. Sorry to say. I have the middle size. The thing was a pain in the arse to put together first off. Had to get new panels sent too because they were all dented up. Secondly it doesn't heat up properly. Doesn't matter what combo of greens to browns I added and it leaked badly. I contacted the company and the lady was beyond rude. She tried to "help" me which really meant treating me like garbage. I asked for my money back and they refused. Tried to fight it with my credit card company but somehow they won. Built a compost pile on the ground like I should have in the beginning and that thing works great. Finally decided I needed to do something with my expensive tumbler and I used silicone caulking to seal half the joints. THAT helped enough to get it to heat up. However after like 6 months of use the styrofoam is crumbling and it falls off the doors. I live in the Midwest and wanted it specifically for winter composting. Guess I'll have to empty it and silicone glue them to the unit or something. Also the compost out of the jora vs compost out of a regular bin you turn with a fork or something. It's not nearly as good. Even if I get a full on hot compost going in the Jora. Just my two cents. I'm not blaming you by the way.
I bought the Jora 5 years ago BECAUSE it is not made of plastic. Rats eat through plastic, and have had two plastic composters with rat infestations. And despite living on a Maine island (very wet) I have only had minimal rust in over five years. I expect it to last 10 years. I do use quite a bit of sawdust for browns. I certainly am not a perfect composter, either.
This reminds me of a brand of products made by a company named after the type of fruits that Granny Smith and others would be. Just by a new one at our extreme pricing....don't worry about it! I think I might just make one using the same concepts but Tig weld it using stainless and sealed bearings. That would outlast ME .
Hey John, south Louisiana is filled with aluminum custom welding shops. I am sure there are some in the Vegas area. Any one of them could easily make a copy of those rust buckets that would last many lifetimes.
Ospho rust converter converts iron oxide (rust) to iron tannate, which is an inert and paintable surface. You dont scrape, you actually paint it on the rust, and it is basically converting rust back to a non rustable (inert) metal, and it's not something that would be bad for anything once the conversion process is done. That will convert rust damage done, and stop it from getting worse. (If its not so bad its falling apart) You can get it at true value, etc... just ask for a rust converter.
In the 90's the extension office here sold bulk purchase compost bins. They are still perfect. The only failure was the one a nearby tree blew on top of. I left it for the new landowner as I felt it may not move well and I am certain they will appreciate the established bin. We seem to have lost our goal to the money makers. My newer bins do not roll or all the claimed bells and whistles. The zoo here used to compost, offering the compost to gardeners. Those days, gone by.
Following your Joraform composter recommendation I purchased two of these and I am sad to say that the exact same issues occurred with mine. They were expensive, I thought they’d last a long time so my family decided to invest in the product and we are now very disappointed that we did. DO NOT BUY JORAFORM! It’s a flawed design.
thanks for the video! My Jora composter has foam that has turned to dust! currently looking for an affordable option to replace food-grade foam insulation
Very strange, I just posted a comment about this video. I thought it had only helpful non-offensive content. It immediately disappeared. Oh well... In any case, thanks for your composter update.
End user forgiveness is one of the hallmarks of a great product. A compost bin should be able to stand up to being filled with nothing but wood chip or nothing but kitchen scraps, without liquefying into a pool of scrap.
As an engineer material selection is key. While 316 S.S. would be the best choice for outdoor use the cost is over 4 times that of galvanized steel. They should offer both at different prices in my opinion.
It's a high salts environment so it's going to rust. Even chainlink fence is only expected to last ~15 years. It's a zinc vs PFAS issue, pick your toxin. I like the simple mounds on the ground but if space were limited I might try the blower style where air(oxygen) is injected to keep the pile consistently active.
compost juice is corrosive to metal, the best way to keep it rust free is stainless steel. Dip galvanized would probably also do the job pretty good, but powder coating is plastic which eventually fails. Another thing is, compistable material needs to be shredded up before composting to reach temperature quickly and get rid of potential pathogens. other issue with the Jora is the insulation is in direct contact with the compost. expanded polyethylene is not a great insulation and certainly not made to last... they should use XPS or even PUR insulation, completely sealed with a durable material such as stainless steel or aluminum
I think this is the case with any powdercoated steel. If it gets scratched you have to either repaint it or seal it somehow. I use rustoleum to cover scratches. Also, cars rust after 3-4 years in bad environments :).
Or make the exterior from another rust-proof metal that isn’t too pricey. I bought a Jora composter that hasn’t started rusting yet, but I am losing insulation from one of the doors. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I’ll email them to ask. Not sure if it’s still under warranty. I was really looking forward to composting this winter in the cold, but frankly, I’ve been having problems consistently getting hot compost. I thought maybe I was overdoing the browns, but who knows.
I appreciate your updated review. I bought the Jura also based on your recommendation. Loved it but it rusted. I still value your opinion. So anything else you recommend since the lifetime one you recommend has been discontinued? Thanks.
The lifetime composter model mentioned is no longer available. Got another option you like? I have a Jora 270, and many panels and one door are so rusted. I'm looking to replace the parts or just get a new composter. I could use a bigger one....
I don’t own one but from looking at yours I would blame the rust on the design. What is the insulation made of? Why do compost bins need insulation anyway, it’s not a worm bin. The moisture probably gets trapped there keeping the area wet. Combine that with metal and you’ve got rust. I would remove the insulation and treat the rusted areas with some form of stop rust, and maybe drilling a few tiny holes in the metal wouldn’t hurt. Then top it off with a fresh coat of paint on the outside. Come to think of it, metal is not the ideal material for a tumbling composter. Maybe stainless steel would work better? I compost on the ground, so that worms and beneficial bacteria can easily make their way into the pile, but if I have to use a timber I wouldn’t consider a plastic one.
Just want to add, Lifetime apparently stopped producing the 80 gallon composter version, and now only sell three (3) composter models; a double barrel (100 gallon), a single cube (50 gallon), and a double cube (100 gallon) version of composters. Would you recommend any of these newer Lifetime composters, or are they inferior to the 80 gallon model you reviewed highly?
If you have the space just pick up 4 free pallets from your local hardware store and make bays. In a very, very small space I make 2 full pallet bays of compost a year, enough for all my beds. These spinning things are a gimmick. Check out Charles Dowdings videos on composting - very useful videos. Don't waste your time with the spinners.
Compost in place vermicomposting works for me. I don't have to think about it and have multiple spots around my garden to place/bury my organic waste. The worms, bugs, and cannibal plants take care of everything.
I have great difficulty appreciating this compost system ...???... Mother Nature has been doing the process for MILLENIA people! just form a vertical walled space of around 3ft x 3ft x3ft with WHATEVER MATERIAL YOU HAVE AT HAND ....ie. negligible cost. Put in your "greens" and "browns" ON THE GOUND within your structure, add water and an occasional turn over with your garden fork or spiral aerator, then let nature do its thing! You can add some "free" urea [ human urine] to speed up composition, p[us a couple of handfuls of garden soil [ active microbes], Keep it moist and you will have natural soil building humus in no time! No convoluted rusty contraptions that are poorly designed and expensive, that are made to fall apart relatively quickly so that you must buy parts or a new one! 😀🙏🍀 "
Hey John, just made some great compost in my up cycled plastic olive barrel that you showcased in your previous episode at my house (ua-cam.com/video/Rki87PithhE/v-deo.html; around 12min26sec mark). I'm still a big fan of these which come for $18 at the local home improvement store. Thanks for letting us know about your experience with the Jora's!
Isn't' moisture one of the elements of composting? Had a Jora. Can't explain my level of disappointment when it rusted out, especially how long it lasted and the amount I paid for it. I would prefer to use an open bin on the ground at this point, but due to rodents (rats) this is not an option. I now compost in a basic Vivosun tumbler, and it works great - albeit on the small side.
Jump to the following parts of the Episode:
00:10 Update of My Compost Alley
02:00 I am not a perfect Composter
03:00 I thought I was successfully making compost
03:40 Showing Rust on Jora Composters
06:55 I live in an Arid climate
07:34 Rusted Panels I have replaced over time
10:03 Email Chain from Jora Composters
13:41 Jora Composters Best Practices
15:54 What I think Jora Should Do
18:17 The Composter Tumber I recommend Instead
They might try a coating like the dark blue with white specks pots. Or even baked-on powder-coat paint.
Does the jora composter have a vent so condition can be released from composting if not there is the reason why they rust out no vent it has to find a way out or the compost rots which decay set in bring down the composter as well as the compost and the should use rhino liner to coat the inside for longer life those one there talking about lasting ten years or more has been the ones who had the rhino liner installed after purchase it a year later to save it. And all the ones I have seen had no vent and had been installed after purchase. Or they stopped making them out of 16 gage metal and went to a light gage which on is going to last a couple years anyway no matter what you do . Same thing with grills for cooking I get mad when I send good money on supposedly good grill just to have it rust out in a couple years I cleaned it and took care of it just to find out the metal it was made of can take twenty to thirty times you cook on it it rust out due to heat damage. I no just how you feel.
Thank you for making this video. I was going to buy this composter.... Because of you, so thank you for the follow up.
That being said, I have an extensive background in composting, and if you do not make your compost "correctly" then the only thing you should suffer as a result is bad compost.... Not a ruined composter.
I asked the wife for a Jora as a birthday gift a few years back after watching your video. She has a PhD in engineering and is very detail and instruction sheet oriented. I am more visual and watched a UA-cam video about putting together the Jora, which gave me a number of tips and tricks not in the instructions. One of the top-rated comments under that video was, "If you want to get a divorce, buy a Joraform and put it together with your spouse." After watching the video, I knew it was going to be a challenge, but we tackled it. A few times we butted heads, but I excused myself to go re-watch the video and even showed her some of the tips. Ultimately my JK270 is together, the balance is a little off, but we won't talk about that!! It has worked well for me. Initially I had an issue keeping it moist and my ratio got a little off. Finally got it solved using brown hedge trimmings and green grass clippings and am successfully making compost for my flower beds and yard. Luckily so far I haven't had any issues with rust.
This is why I love John. Honest review no ego and looking out for his followers. We are all just looking for a quality product for what we need to accomplish.
Thank you so much for your honesty. I live in an extremely wet climate and was seriously considering ordering a Jora composter. With the wet climate, I could probably be that perfect composter and still have major rust issues. I think I'll stick to the plastic tumblers for now.
I HAD a Jora but it now resides in the landfill due to rust. It became unusable in just four years. You are on point...Jora needs to upgrade the design. I have a Yimby plastic tumbler that has no rust and still going strong.
I bought a JK270 back in 2014 when they were $389... started falling apart after the first Northern winter here in zone 4. Now I just plop leaves and food scraps in old plastic laundry tubs or 5 gallon buckets. Easier to move around, open to bugs (vermiculture), and basically free.
Do you put holes in it, a lid?
Make sure your vents on the side are clear for air movement
Man, i bought a Jora last year and started seeing rust at the bottom plate, opposite from the access hatch. Moist from kitchen scraps is unavoidable so a better design needs to be adressed. I use pine pellets when it starts smelling ammonia and it works. I also use one of those long Thermometers to keep it where it needs to be at , but thats only when it has a fresh batch cooling off after a few days. Ive been thinking on adding charcoal in one chamber to activate biochar then use it on the raised beds. Lets see what Jora will do in the coming months to improve their product. Good video amigo, we thank you for honest review on the Jora composters.
I watched your old video and was planning to buy this composter now that my old composter is rusting out after 12 years. Thanks for the update.
First of all, I have not used Jora composter. However, I can relate to the problem you have. It seems to be the company's design flaw with iron especially it's happened to all your four composter doors.
Viewers already commented that you do need moisture to make compost. In addition, compost process itself produces water as well. Compost gets dry because of heat evaporation. All the escaping vapor will condense near door open area and seam.
Most important point is that organic acids are formed in the initial stages of the aerobic decomposition process, even though the final compost is about neutral. So the acidic condition is not only due to overly wet materials. With a scratch or two on the door, it will rust out pretty quick.
I was soooo close to buying a Joraform "Big Pig" and before clicking I thought to myself ...."Better have a check-up on what JK thinks about them and if he still thinks they are no,1"
Think I just saved myself £550.00 on a pile of rust.
Thanks John !
Lucky to get 6 months out of one of those here on the Northern California Coast - thanks for putting out the heads up and keeping it real!
Thanks John for being a stand-up, conscientious dude! After watching your best composter video, I almost pulled the trigger on a JK270. Thank you for making this video and I will follow your recommendation on the Lifetime Model #60058. Keep up the great video work you do!
Unfortunately Lifetime does not sell this model anymore. I just checked with them, it is discontinued.
I learned so much from John. Now I supply high end restaurants with microgreens and I have this Jora Composters. I needed this info because same here John. Lonely composter
It a lonely composter because it doesn't get used
Thanks for putting out this video!! I was looking to buy a composter for friends and family this Christmas but I know they won't be perfect composters and was debating on what to get other than the Jora as others have shown rust. I'll get the lifetime you recommend!!
You won’t be able to find any of the 80 gallon Lifetime tumblers. The FCMP IM4000 is a decent entry level compost tumbler. A bit small for a family of 4-6 but reasonably priced. I started with it years ago and graduated to two of the lifetime 80 gallon units. I still have the IM4000 and it still works perfectly. No rust, cracks or broken pieces
Thank you John, mine started rusting but I've had it over 10 years and it's in the shade because that's the only place for it. It's so dry in Vegas I would put water in it to keep it moist because i never had enough wet produce to put in it. I thought maybe I could duct tape it so it wouldn't fall apart so I watched Project Farm to find the best duct tape.
Back in the day - farmers "had a guy" who made things. Stuff doesn't last anymore. We all need "a guy" again!
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you have to be your own guy. Even the people that know what they're doing aren't going to put the same time, care, and effort into something for you like they would for themselves. With a few exceptions, you're better off looking up how to do something yourself from multiple sources and trying it yourself. More often than not you'll get better results for less money with a bonus of new skills and knowledge. I live in a very small city with a very small pool of people offering services (mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc.). Many of them are the only "guy" and have been doing it for 20 years, but stopped learning 20 years ago, and because there's no competition, they don't have much incentive to improve. You would think that somebody that does something for a living would get it done better and quicker than you could, but oddly enough that's not always the case. If you can afford to put in the time and effort to learn new things, depending where you live, it might rarely be the case.
@@redonk1740 You're so right about becoming self sufficient, researching things & developing new skills! It was shocking to learn of the incompetence you speak of when I was first on my own! Blundering "professionals" in various fields scared me into learning everything from grading & house foundations to placing the last roof shingle! Kinda tired of being my own guy & nostalgic for a "Jack of all trades" like my grandparents had, the thought of encouraging new business relationships is appealing! Trade a bucket of produce for some welding, etc! I think the world is headed back that way.
Meanwhile, buying items with the long term in mind & supporting the "Right to Repair Movement" is important. And it never hurts to learn all you can, while you can! Thanks for your comment! 😊
@@redonk1740 Yeah tell that to my 60 year old machinist who can make me most parts for my line of work for half the price from the supplier.
@@TheOnlyKontrol you need a 70 year old tool maker 😂 jkjk. Man those guys can fix and build anything to get any job done.
Ya John, I bought a Jora based on your video review. I hope if/when mine rusts out they will do the right thing. I am in Florida where rust is a problem anyway.
I compost on the ground.
Drop material on ground, cover with dirt, water often...
Turn compost weekly or twice a week.
Same. I don't see a need for an expensive bin.
Thanks for another informative video. How many gardeners are "perfect" composters? Jora is a perfect example of a planned obsolescence product, landfill material. Evasive customer support as well.
I just assembled the RSI MCT maze composter today and it’s my favorite design of any composter I have owned to date. Worth checking out.
Rootmaker customer service is genuinely good. They have really good ideas for making pots and seed starter arrays
Jon been watching you for over 10 years and for me it doesn't matter ALL of these composters break after my last tumbler broke I switched to Johnson su style composting. Have you ever heard of this method? It is FAR superior than any tumbling composters and at a fraction of the cost to set up.
Thanks for being honest. I am glad I didn't get one. My lifetime metal bits did rust out to the point of replacing. I ended up replacing it with a few free pallets and 2 chickens I need to add hardware cloth to the system because the chickens kick everything everywhere but so far I like it so much more.
Thanks for saving us John! We appreciate you.
The only 2 ways to prevent the rust issues are....
The metal must be ...
Grade 316 stainless steel,
costing almost 3x for materials or .....
Plastic composting design...
Micro plastics will leach inevitably over time and it will fail.
The stainless steel option is by far superior providing its made from Grade 316, which is exactly what is used for Marine applications! ✔️
I was always sad that I couldnt afford to get a Jora Form like yours. Even when you visited here you told me I would be fine without one though. I have just done open composting in the Geobin for 7 years now. In our Vegas climate it takes about 12-16 months to make open compost but diligently watering it and stirring it up every 6 months I have been able to survive. Maybe Ill have to try one of these Lifetime Composters but even at $175 seems hard to justify.
I love those geobins. I have owned 4. They last and last. Cardboard on top holds in moisture and prevents excess rain. Need a pitchfork to turn occasionally but its good exercise!
I make my compost in a box made by chicken wire around and i cover it with plastic roll under tree shade on a moist place of my garden.
Last year i made around a cubic meter of compost !
The biome on that thing was amazing from red worms to white grubs. They chewed everything exept some wood pieces.
Open containers are great at inviting creatures that love eating that stuff , i dont see why you need a closed container when you can easily make one with fencing.
Some people can’t turn compost and others may have rats or bear, ect and need it contained. I need mine to stay moist as the hot sand zaps it and I’m not fond of turning it.
Well me to. I now use what amounts to a vented plastic box and I am amazed how much I can put in without it filling up. My goals maybe a little different as I like compost but mostly don’t want to put food scraps in landfills when it doesn’t have to be that way. Thanks for pointing out a problem and a solution. We usually just get “ this are that awful thing is wrong but I have no idea what to do about it”
I have 2 of the lifetime 80 gallon tumblers and they are great. Good luck finding one though, they have been hard to find since 2020. Large volume, no rust and they produce finished compost quickly.
I don't like tumblers at all as I find that ground contact is necessary for the best compost. And it's easier to do without worrying about rot or moisture issues. I like the FreeGarden Earth composter which is super cheap and effective. I get in there with a garden fork to aerate the pile and have good compost in a season or less.
Thank you very much I live in the Mojave desert too so this is very useful information I'm grateful I spent forever on Craigslist trying to figure out what to get. I'm new to gardening and I'm overwhelmed with the amount of information I need to learn. I want to be ready for the spring
Thank You for your Honesty.
I have had several tumbling composters over many years as well. My fave is the ComposTumbler. My first one just rusted out this year... however It is more than 20 years old. I live in an area that gets 45÷ inches of annual rainfall. And I am also not a perfect composter. Also, ComposTumbler sells replacement parts so you can easily replace any part as they age out and rebuild it as needed.
Thank you John, cause I'm glad your saying this cause regenerative business needs to put their money where our mouth is! #growingyourgreens
Great recommendation for Joraform to redesign all their models to be made of plastic/non-rusting material! It probably would be cheaper for them to produce them, too.
It’s unfortunate that Joraform continues to put out a product that has a major flaw in its design, that being a short product lifespan due to rusting pieces and parts!
Personally I think it’s not reasonable to expect people to compost perfectly, the composter should be capable of draining/aerating efficiently and without the process damaging the composter! Things get wet in compost bins! 😀
Thanks for thorough review. Years ago I seen acomposter like this and like that they seem to turn easy for the size and the door is large enough and high enough to get the compost out.
I looked at plastic hot bins and tumblers and don’t think the plastic will hold up in the sun and many have too small of door.
Why I want a compost unit is to break it down faster without the labor of turning it, to keep it contained instead of it sinking into the ground below and to keep heat in and moist as it dries out too fast in pallet bins. The hot bins have a leachate catch which could be invaluable for savings on liquid fertilizer.
So… I have refrigerator building panels and thought I might try to construct a hot bin with them but need to find a few more parts. Meanwhile I’m thinking if I can find a plastic tumbler with large door(s) and reasonably priced I would be better off. The Jora is not cheap and if a simple plastic tumbler is under $100 or about and it lasts at least 2-3 years it would be a better buy than an expensive piece of metal.
I’m not too thrilled to learn the foam is exposed and no mixing paddles inside and that’s one reason it maybe balling up, but most have too much green vs carbon. I have opposite problem most of the year as I have tons of arborist chips.
I would find it counterintuitive to have to buy any materials to make compost as then you may as well buy compost already made although you wouldn’t know what’s in it. The scraps from supper could just get buried direct to garden.
I’ve read the comments as there is a lot to learn from others and some wonder why anyone would want a composter tumbler or bin-some can’t turn compost and some areas have bears, rats ect. Or for general aesthetic reasons.
The key to faster compost is to chop up the pieces to 4-6” to expose more surface to microbe action. Have carbon next to bin to add whenever you put greens in.
Thank you again and will probably do what I had mentioned because a $400+ tumbler should last a long, long time.
It's not the compost. It's the crap materials they are using. All you need is a few wooden pallets to make a pile big enough to get hot.
Rats though
The first sensible comment here. Pallet bays. Simple. Effective.
As for the rats? Welcome to the real world. They happen. Set up traps to control them. Or keep buying expensive plastic and metal junk that eventually ends up in a lamdfill and make enough compost with them to feed 2 square feet of garden bed. If you want to grow lots of good quality food without buying expensive compost there is only one logical, cost effective way and it's not using tumblers.
@@FireWoodOfficial I've never had a rat problem.
@@FireWoodOfficialbear also. Some don’t understand why people want a bin of some sort. Mine is because I’m done turning it and it doesn’t stay moist enough and we are in drought again. All the good stuff sinks into the ground and I’m feeding the oak.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I value your opinion because I consider you an avid gardener...even professional! We have to look out for each other so we don't waste our money.💸
Can someone explain to me why you need an expensive bin to compost? I've been composting for yrs directly on the ground. Now that I'm in Florida it's a little bit more challenging to get it to stay around because everything soaks down into the sand pretty quickly during rainy season, but now I just compost directly on my soil! Greatly increases soil fertility and no need to turn bins.
I can only speak for myself. Why? My 60 year old broke down body and bad back. Can’t turn a pile like I used too, passive compost takes too long and attracts rats, raccoons and possum. But otherwise I agree that a large compost pile generates some great compost really quick if done right.
A tumbler makes it easier to aerate and mix. The Jora is insulated so it heats up and stays warm through the night, making it decompose faster. An enclosed tumbler also keeps the rats out, which are a significant problem with food scraps.
@@jackalopewright5343 Yeah I guess everyone's situation is different. When I lived in Nebraska I composted in a pile and never noticed any critters, nor have in Florida though it does attract cockroaches. Right now I've been throwing food waste directly under my bananas and it's a win win! Bananas don't grow well in Florida sand and need heavy fertilizer input. I just throw everything under them it's been great. Don't need as much fertilizer.
Yes, every situation for composting is different, so it is very hard to tell someone one system and that is the end all be all for all composting. So, it depends on the materials your composting and where your located, the space you have available, the carbon resource you will be dependant on and the physical and time limitations you have to determine your system. For instance, if I am setting up a composting system for a restaurant, I have to be very mindful of not attracting pest to their location. A tumbler can work great for keeping pest out. In addition, a tumbler can work well for people with physical limitations that can not just get out there with a shovel. That being said, if I am setting up an organization with a tumbler because it fits their individual needs (materials composting / time / physical ability) the last thing I want to do is recommend them to buy a high price ticket item like this one, thinking it will be worth the money because it is durable and will last a long time, and then to come to find out it's junk.
This hurts. I bought one recently based on your past recommendations. It arrived heavily damaged, and now I have rust to worry about :(
I bought the 2 barrel plastic tumbler from Costco 2 summers ago. The latch mechanism is metal and rusted out. I may return it as Costco doesn't have a limit on their return policy
The compost bin you really need is called aerobin 400 litre give them a go. Ive had mine aerobin 400 litre for 2 years and made really good compost
First problem , metal on metal where the door opens and closes . That will cause scratches in the paint , bare metal will rust . Maybe if they added a rubber gasket around the door that could help . Another problem is the foam itself . Moisture between foam and metal will cause bubbling in paint and you will get more rust. You could get better results doing open air compost with a tarp covering it to control moisture . Check out Geoff Lawton on YT for composting and permaculture .
I still have my first small Lifetime composter which is probably 10 years old. The screws and hingers have rusted. When I emailed Lifetime they replaced the metal parts. The real problem is the nuts & screws have rusted together preventing me from replacing them. Winter is here, and the snow pack is building, so hopefully I'll get the proper tool to cut the metal away. Living off the gulf coast also intensified the rust damage.
Compost too wet? So that’s the cause right? Am I supposed to move my compost tumblers inside? Maybe one on each side of my bed. John’s way too nice. Jora would be stuttering by the time I was done rolling them up.
Warranty = 2 yrs
Know rust typically happen within 3-4 yrs
Manufacturers knows when their products will fail.
Hondas and Toyotas give guarantees for X years because manufacturers know it's highly likely it won't fail in that time, thus they can advertise a guarantee while having minimal free replacements.
When I buy something with a free warranty, I know that means the manufacturer likely did their homework on their product already and know that my product has at least a moderate chance to fail the following year. It lets me know the quality of the maker's product before I even buy it lol quite neat if you think of it this way :)
I think my laptop had a 2 yr warranty...I know something will happen the 3rd or 4rd yr for sure, and it did lol
Thanks for making these videos and saving me big $$$ on buying a rust bucket that will just end up in a landfill.
I purchased the jora composter because of you and it's a HUGE disappointment. Sorry to say. I have the middle size. The thing was a pain in the arse to put together first off. Had to get new panels sent too because they were all dented up. Secondly it doesn't heat up properly. Doesn't matter what combo of greens to browns I added and it leaked badly. I contacted the company and the lady was beyond rude. She tried to "help" me which really meant treating me like garbage. I asked for my money back and they refused. Tried to fight it with my credit card company but somehow they won. Built a compost pile on the ground like I should have in the beginning and that thing works great. Finally decided I needed to do something with my expensive tumbler and I used silicone caulking to seal half the joints. THAT helped enough to get it to heat up. However after like 6 months of use the styrofoam is crumbling and it falls off the doors. I live in the Midwest and wanted it specifically for winter composting. Guess I'll have to empty it and silicone glue them to the unit or something. Also the compost out of the jora vs compost out of a regular bin you turn with a fork or something. It's not nearly as good. Even if I get a full on hot compost going in the Jora. Just my two cents. I'm not blaming you by the way.
I bought the Jora 5 years ago BECAUSE it is not made of plastic. Rats eat through plastic, and have had two plastic composters with rat infestations. And despite living on a Maine island (very wet) I have only had minimal rust in over five years. I expect it to last 10 years. I do use quite a bit of sawdust for browns. I certainly am not a perfect composter, either.
This reminds me of a brand of products made by a company named after the type of fruits that Granny Smith and others would be. Just by a new one at our extreme pricing....don't worry about it!
I think I might just make one using the same concepts but Tig weld it using stainless and sealed bearings. That would outlast ME .
Tagline (really, the headline) on the Jora website: "Composting has never been easier."
Hey John, south Louisiana is filled with aluminum custom welding shops. I am sure there are some in the Vegas area. Any one of them could easily make a copy of those rust buckets that would last many lifetimes.
Ospho rust converter converts iron oxide (rust) to iron tannate, which is an inert and paintable surface. You dont scrape, you actually paint it on the rust, and it is basically converting rust back to a non rustable (inert) metal, and it's not something that would be bad for anything once the conversion process is done. That will convert rust damage done, and stop it from getting worse. (If its not so bad its falling apart) You can get it at true value, etc... just ask for a rust converter.
In the 90's the extension office here sold bulk purchase compost bins. They are still perfect. The only failure was the one a nearby tree blew on top of. I left it for the new landowner as I felt it may not move well and I am certain they will appreciate the established bin. We seem to have lost our goal to the money makers. My newer bins do not roll or all the claimed bells and whistles. The zoo here used to compost, offering the compost to gardeners. Those days, gone by.
i bought a lifetime 10 years ago, used. Still going strong!
Following your Joraform composter recommendation I purchased two of these and I am sad to say that the exact same issues occurred with mine. They were expensive, I thought they’d last a long time so my family decided to invest in the product and we are now very disappointed that we did. DO NOT BUY JORAFORM! It’s a flawed design.
One more thing on the Aerobin 200 and 400 hot compost bins, they are made of HEAVY grade plastic and are completely rust proof.
thanks for the video! My Jora composter has foam that has turned to dust! currently looking for an affordable option to replace food-grade foam insulation
But thank you for the informative videos and keep on doing your organic gardening thing
Very strange, I just posted a comment about this video. I thought it had only helpful non-offensive content. It immediately disappeared. Oh well... In any case, thanks for your composter update.
My joraform also completely destroyed itself because of rust. I now replaced it with an open DIY chicken wire :p.
End user forgiveness is one of the hallmarks of a great product. A compost bin should be able to stand up to being filled with nothing but wood chip or nothing but kitchen scraps, without liquefying into a pool of scrap.
As an engineer material selection is key. While 316 S.S. would be the best choice for outdoor use the cost is over 4 times that of galvanized steel. They should offer both at different prices in my opinion.
Thank you, I was going to buy this but will use something else until they fix the rust issues.
It's a high salts environment so it's going to rust. Even chainlink fence is only expected to last ~15 years. It's a zinc vs PFAS issue, pick your toxin. I like the simple mounds on the ground but if space were limited I might try the blower style where air(oxygen) is injected to keep the pile consistently active.
compost juice is corrosive to metal, the best way to keep it rust free is stainless steel. Dip galvanized would probably also do the job pretty good, but powder coating is plastic which eventually fails. Another thing is, compistable material needs to be shredded up before composting to reach temperature quickly and get rid of potential pathogens.
other issue with the Jora is the insulation is in direct contact with the compost. expanded polyethylene is not a great insulation and certainly not made to last... they should use XPS or even PUR insulation, completely sealed with a durable material such as stainless steel or aluminum
I think this is the case with any powdercoated steel. If it gets scratched you have to either repaint it or seal it somehow. I use rustoleum to cover scratches. Also, cars rust after 3-4 years in bad environments :).
I had issues on assembly with a bad panel. One latch and a few screws have rusted on my 4 year Jora. I use shredded cardboard for my brown.
Or make the exterior from another rust-proof metal that isn’t too pricey. I bought a Jora composter that hasn’t started rusting yet, but I am losing insulation from one of the doors. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I’ll email them to ask. Not sure if it’s still under warranty. I was really looking forward to composting this winter in the cold, but frankly, I’ve been having problems consistently getting hot compost. I thought maybe I was overdoing the browns, but who knows.
Really interesting video. Just wondering if you have any experience of the "Hotbin Mk2"?
Jora can pound sand. If they don't understand how much moisture is a part composting. They're sell dirt.
I appreciate your updated review. I bought the Jura also based on your recommendation. Loved it but it rusted. I still value your opinion. So anything else you recommend since the lifetime one you recommend has been discontinued? Thanks.
The lifetime composter model mentioned is no longer available. Got another option you like? I have a Jora 270, and many panels and one door are so rusted. I'm looking to replace the parts or just get a new composter. I could use a bigger one....
I don’t own one but from looking at yours I would blame the rust on the design. What is the insulation made of? Why do compost bins need insulation anyway, it’s not a worm bin. The moisture probably gets trapped there keeping the area wet. Combine that with metal and you’ve got rust. I would remove the insulation and treat the rusted areas with some form of stop rust, and maybe drilling a few tiny holes in the metal wouldn’t hurt. Then top it off with a fresh coat of paint on the outside. Come to think of it, metal is not the ideal material for a tumbling composter. Maybe stainless steel would work better? I compost on the ground, so that worms and beneficial bacteria can easily make their way into the pile, but if I have to use a timber I wouldn’t consider a plastic one.
I have rust on my lifetime hinges/brackets too
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Sir I’ve been following you for 10+ years
really? now you dish them after I just bought 5 because of your recommendation ... you got to be kidding me
Thanks, very important info here. Blessings
Just want to add, Lifetime apparently stopped producing the 80 gallon composter version, and now only sell three (3) composter models; a double barrel (100 gallon), a single cube (50 gallon), and a double cube (100 gallon) version of composters. Would you recommend any of these newer Lifetime composters, or are they inferior to the 80 gallon model you reviewed highly?
Following....
Customer service told me they discontinued the model :(
Probably the simplest fix is to make it out of aluminum or possibly stainless steel..
Mine also rusted and the insulation material broke down resulting in a powder of the synthetic material mixing in with my compost.
Exactly the same experience!
It's a shame Jora didn't take this opportunity to make a comment here to help it's customers.
If you have the space just pick up 4 free pallets from your local hardware store and make bays. In a very, very small space I make 2 full pallet bays of compost a year, enough for all my beds.
These spinning things are a gimmick. Check out Charles Dowdings videos on composting - very useful videos. Don't waste your time with the spinners.
A shotgun composter, love it, hilarious and true for most of us!
Call them out call them out LOL
Compost in place vermicomposting works for me. I don't have to think about it and have multiple spots around my garden to place/bury my organic waste. The worms, bugs, and cannibal plants take care of everything.
Blessings, truth wins 💓🙏
I live in Oregon, it would be a rusty mess here.
Maybe your neighbor's dog is peeing on them without you knowing 😂
I have great difficulty appreciating this compost system ...???... Mother Nature has been doing the process for MILLENIA people! just form a vertical walled space of around 3ft x 3ft x3ft with WHATEVER MATERIAL YOU HAVE AT HAND ....ie. negligible cost. Put in your "greens" and "browns" ON THE GOUND within your structure, add water and an occasional turn over with your garden fork or spiral aerator, then let nature do its thing! You can add some "free" urea [ human urine] to speed up composition, p[us a couple of handfuls of garden soil [ active microbes], Keep it moist and you will have natural soil building humus in no time! No convoluted rusty contraptions that are poorly designed and expensive, that are made to fall apart relatively quickly so that you must buy parts or a new one! 😀🙏🍀
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Hey John, just made some great compost in my up cycled plastic olive barrel that you showcased in your previous episode at my house (ua-cam.com/video/Rki87PithhE/v-deo.html; around 12min26sec mark). I'm still a big fan of these which come for $18 at the local home improvement store. Thanks for letting us know about your experience with the Jora's!
I use wood pellets for cat litter. Should I throw that in the composter?
Thanks so much for sharing truth and helping us out!!
Question: Would it benefit to add "ashes" from my firepit to my yard or compost pile or compost tumbler ?
Equipment made without quality of endurance likely has several issues. Find another company that has longlife qualities.
Im wondering if taking a lil bit of cooking oil with a paper towel to your composter if that would extend the life of the panels.
Paint new ones with Rustoleum ?
thanks john!
Just use stainless. You'll have it forever.
How does the rust effect the compost?
Isn't' moisture one of the elements of composting?
Had a Jora. Can't explain my level of disappointment when it rusted out, especially how long it lasted and the amount I paid for it. I would prefer to use an open bin on the ground at this point, but due to rodents (rats) this is not an option. I now compost in a basic Vivosun tumbler, and it works great - albeit on the small side.