that is the cutest, gimmicky thing i've ever seen and even though I think it probably wouldn't work for crap I'd love to have one for my little dude (2mos old, lol) to play with one when he gets older.

Yea. I think it's adorable too. I think it came out first in the U.K. and just came to the U.S. so that's probably why I'm having trouble finding any reviews. I'm an avid gardener and it's a hobby I'd love to potentially share with my one year old daughter when she gets older so any way I can get her interested in gardening and conservation would be a plus. :-)

Ok this is interesting - anyone tried this
"NatureMill Automatic Odorless Composter" ?? An "Indoor Composter"??
found on a link from the Rolypig site at -
http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/naturemill/index.htm

Only $400 + $30 shipping
but it has a computer? a motor & an air pump too - so it needs electric power.

Gumby is NOT recommending nor is he in any way associated with the manuf. or sale of these machines. Just real curious how well they work? Anyone tried them?

I remember seeing a couple posts on here where people were concerned about rodents, insect, etc. This may be the answer? Indoor Composting.

A NatureMill oderless automatic composter recycles its weight in waste every 10 days, diverting over two tons of waste from landfills over its life. It keeps the temperature optimal and turns it automatically.

* dual chamber design means no batches, continously makes compost
* can be used indoors or out
* 50 cents a month to run
10 watts of power - much less than a garbage truck would burn in diesel fuel to haul the same waste.

How it Works

* Deposit food and paper ::
Add organic waste any time, any day: vegetables, coffee grounds, paper - even dairy, meat, or fish! Small pieces work best.

* NatureMill does the rest ::
The upper chamber mixes, heats, and aerates. Compost later transfers to the lower chamber, so you can add fresh items.

* Remove compost ::
Empty every two weeks, when red light comes on.

Specs at a Glance

Size and weight

22 " high x 22" deep x 14" wide (55 x 55 x 29 cm);
20 lbs (9 kg)

[shipping box: 27" x 23" x 17" (68.6 x 58 x 43 cm); 29 lbs (13 kg)]

Capacity
maximum 5 lbs (2.3 kg) of organic waste in a single day, up to 15 lbs (7 kg) in a single week. Suitable for a single individual living alone, or a typical family of five.

Waste materials Almost all food and paper waste items. The lid of the machine contains a reference sheet with specific examples.

Temperatures
EXTERNAL: use in any location 32-120F (0-49C)
INTERNAL: up to 140F (60C) reactor temperatures

Rate of compost production
One batch every 2 weeks, depending on actual usage. An indicator light signals when to remove compost.

Finished product High nitrogen compost - a soil amendment for lawns, gardens, trees, or potted plants. Compost is ready to use.

Compaction
70% or more, volume and weight reduction, due to bio-degrading (composting) and mechanical breakdown

Construction

* Internal components: recycled stainless steel
* External housing: food-grade recycled polyethylene
* Used properly, unit should last for many years.

Installation
No installation is required. Plug into a standard power outlet. For outdoor use, keep dry and do not freeze.
For installation inside a cabinet, we recommend that you hire a carpenter or cabinet maker for convenient access.

Cost savings

* Reduce trash enough to qualify for a discounted trash collection rate. Contact your trash company for details.
* Save money on fertilizer.
* Less watering due to high moisture retention of compost.

Power
10 watts - as much as a typical night light. This costs about $0.50 per month, depending on local rates. Uses far less energy than hauling the same amount of waste in a diesel garbage truck.

Available with a North American (110V/120V) or European (220V/240V) power supply. UL and CE compliant.

Cleaning and Maintenance
Wipe the hopper and exterior with a moist towel. Rinse the cure tray and drip tray when you empty them. Do not disturb the compost cultures in the reactor chamber. Do not use soaps or chemicals. Replace air filter annually or as needed.

Here is a link that might be useful: NatureMill Automatic Odorless Composter

Do you want cute or easy?

As someone who bought a tumbler which is no longer used, I'd recommend easy any day of the week. About four years ago I had a list of about eight reasons why a cheap, simple bin was now my favorite.

I personally would prefer easy, but it also has to be space efficient since I don't have a huge space to keep it in. How is a bin easier than a tumbler? I really would like some advice on what's best since I'm new to the whole composting thing. I liked the idea of a tumbler because of the ease of keeping things mixed up in a short amount of time as time is precious to me since I don't have a lot of it to spare sadly. I also liked the idea of the tumbler because it's fully enclosed. Most bins I've researched have open bottoms and I don't have any open dirt space to put it on. But anyhoo...I was just wondering what advice people have and what their experiences are. :-)