What is it made of? Might be easier to remove one side than to build a new one.

None of my seven mesh bins are higher than 24".

I couldn't get too terribly close (too much junk and trash in the way) but just thin wood slats. I guess reasonably I might be able to take one side apart and then jury-rig it so it becomes a removable side.

You know what's cool about it is that it's abutting the chain-link fence to the neighbor's yard, and he built his compost bin directly next to it, so we've basically each got our own bins right next to each other. I bet that can only help things along!

I don't know if it is feasible for you or not but I put the front section of mine on hinges. I can open it up and go right to the bottom with the pitchfork to turn it. I heap it towards the back when I turn it - leaving about a foot clear of compost at the door so nothing falls out when I open in. It works great!

I built mine out of recycled cyclone fenceing used for dog runs.


John
{{gwi:299580}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Johns Journal

Do you have a drill? One possibility for turning that compost in a bin that doesn't have removeable sides is to attach a bulb auger to your drill and turn it that way. It should pull some of the stuff from deep down up to the top and vice versa.

Here's a link to what I mean.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bulb Auger

Dawiff - do you use an auger? Do you like it?

My compost bins are built against the 10 foot wall of the the 10 x 12 yard tool shed with the bottom 4 feet of that shed constructed of concrete blocks, for that reason. Two sides of the bins are cedar posts coverd with left over pieces of T-111 siding with doors made of the same material hinged on the front for access. Your bins should have some means of access although that may mean deconstructing a side. Look a bit closer to see if there is a way, although there may well be people out there that would build a bin with no access.

kimmsr - any chance you can post picture of your structure -- very interesting but I am lacking imagination. Thank you.

Just to make things easier for you, you don't have to turn compost. Yea, it takes longer if you don't turn it but it's such hard work especially if you are busy.

If you can remove the fronts from the bins, then no problem emptying them, go ahead and use them. OF course if they turn out to be small and movable, perhaps you move them some where and fill em up with stuff and call them raised beds. Then you can build whatever type of compost bin you like.

My compost bins are very convenient to the back door of the house. some posts and whatever type of fencing is cheap and then I simply screw scrap wood across the front as the pile builds up. When it is time to use the compost, remove the scrap wood slats and fork into the cart. We don't turn the compost, just dig a bit of a hole in the hot top center of the pile, dump in the stinky additions, and dump another bag of Other Peoples Bagged Leaves over it all.

Here is a link with some pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: TCLynx Composting

That is a great question. I have the exact same kind of compost bin in my yard - non-movable sides. It is a 4' cube, made out of wood with large holes drilled in for aeration. I was very lucky when we moved in this house that the bin was existing from the previous homeowners. Overall I am very happy with it. Since the bin is never full, all I do is shovel some of top material off to the back and sides, and get to the bottom that way. It works pretty well. To add things to the pile, I usually dig a small hole in the middle, dump in, and cover back up. Since I have been grinding up kitchen scraps in the Cuisinart, it is amazing how fast they disappear.

Cathy

Here is a link that might be useful: my personal site

You know, I just realized that there's a possibility it DOES have a removable side, considering the fact I couldn't get too close to it because of all the junk in the way I guess I should wait and see :) So, next year will show the truth lol... but yeah I think if it doesn't have a removable side I'll just MAKE one.

"Dawiff - do you use an auger? Do you like it?"

I'm not Dawiff, but I've used a bulb auger. It did a good job of turning my compost until I used it on some that was too heavy and compact. The drill was a cheap cordless one and I managed to pull it apart by yanking too hard on the drill. Other than that, I had good luck.

Sorry, but we have no cameras and no plans to purchase any. We have, on occassion, talked about that but the purchase never gets done.