Thanks for another useful video Beanie, good to know about possible worm invasions. Perhaps worm eggs can survive in the bin and then hatch out in the cooler areas at the bottom. My bin is going well most of the time but Ive had problems with mushrooms growing out at the side of the hatch creating a gap - have to open it up and clear and re-fit hatch. No idea if this is linked to woody material in bin or to putting mushroom trimmings in bin - all part of the hotbin experience! It can be frustrating sometimes but I keep reminding myself of how much waste is being recycled.
Hi Margaret, as you say can be frustrating at times. I have not had that experience of mushrooms growing out of the hatch. I have had them inside and I believe the spores are in wood chips that you put in as bulking agent. I don't think it is the mushroom trimmings. Maybe the hatch door is not on tight enough. I noticed recently that with the mini and only one strap that the door would prise open a little so I do think that could be an issue. Good to hear you are mainly having success with the HB keep up the good work.
I was recommended to subscribe to and follow you as I have just ordered my first Hotbin today. It cost an eye-watering £337 from their own website so I have had to agree to have it as a birthday present. My ambition is to use my green bin just to store bulk material to feed my Hotbin and combine my can-o-worms wormery composter with the Hotbin too. If all goes well I might also get another for my next birthday and give away my tumbling composter which gets very heavy to tumble if it gets even a third full. Wish me luck 🪱🌱🥀🍀😁
Hi Stephanie. You are not wrong. It made my eyes water. I paid around £180 6-7 years ago and I thought that was a lot back then. We had better make it a success then. One good thing is this is a great time to start. It sounds as if you have a lot of experience in composting so I don't think you will be needing luck but we are here to help on your HB composting journey should you need it. Thank you for subscribing and we look forward to hearing about your HB adventures.
Hi Stephanie, you are in the right place. I have learnt and continue to learn from Mr & Mrs B. I use a couple of bins to store green waste to feed my hotbin as you have described and works a treat. I also have a couple of daleks that I top up from the hotbin and let the worms finish it off. Just this spring I have filled a 280 litre dalek direct from the hotbin (hence why I bought a 2nd!) which is easily the most I have made thanks to this community.
Hey Beanie good to see you back! I had the same problem with my Mk 1 hotbin, it stayed on 40c for a while, I added some more waste with coffee grounds in which I havn’t used before, next day like yours outside guage reading was 55c, and it was steaming a good un, and still keeping hot, I have been feeding it a lot more lately to feed the hungry monster….lol I’ve got mine on 4 house bricks with a tray underneath it’s easier to collect the leachate, you a and missus are looking well, I’m glad to see, keep it up, the composting of course, sent you an email, trying to get another temp dial that doesn’t steam up too much with a long prong, the short prong one is fine, take it easy, Barry
Thank you Barry. Not easy keeping it up at my age and been using the Viagra to try and get the HB temp up. Good to hear all is well with the Mk 1 HB. My mini dials have a lot of water in them which is not ideal but just feel HB have gone cheap cheap cheap with some materials. The house bricks is a great idea. Will check out the email sorry don't always look at it that often but good to hear from you.
Haven’t been paying enough attention to my mini and it’s been cool for some time. Dread to think what’s going on in there. Masses of liquid every day going to have to clear it out it’s near the top.
Hi Sarah. I don't know where you are but the weather is ok now to take everything out and see what is going on. One good thing with a mini is you will not have as much waste to remove. Have you been still feeding it on a regular basis? You may just need an empty from the bottom where it may be compacted. Good luck and these HB's are like pets or children they need constant attention. Let us know how it all goes.
@@BeanieComposter Hi and thanks for your reply. You inspired me to open up the mini and see what was going on. I had been dreading what I’d find but it was fine. Quite a few worms, really good compost - no rats, snakes or ants nests (imagination run riot). Once I’d taken bottom half out she got up to heat again with another feed. Thanks as always for your motivating videos and advice. Best wishes to you both.
@@sarah10001 Never had a thought of a snake coming out of the HB but I guess I could get the little one to play the recorder and see what happens. Anyhow all good news and great that you are back up to temperature. Thank you for watching and leaving comments as that makes us feel like we are helping just a little bit.
Exact same problem with mine right now. Was going so well but then just stuck at 35 deg. Like you emptied and mixed and too wet so resolved that’s only to find two days later too wet again. V odd. Then noticed mesh plate completely blocked. Started to gently clean and the whole thing disintegrated!!!! Removed it totally and gunk pouring out!!! Pretty sure within an hour temp was going up. Have ordered new mesh and need to find way to attach! Going to try bathroom sealant I think. I just hope this resolves it and I don’t have to completely empty it and wash out the bottom reservoir!!!
Hi Kate nothing ever seems straight forward for long with these HB's. I did notice the mesh plate on the mini had already started to crumble away which considering its only about two years old is not great. they should be using quality materials as they know this part is exposed to water. Hopefully this has resolved your blockage and it does not return. A good sealant should do the trick. Make sure it is ok for external use. Also ensure your parts are really dry before you seal it. Might be a good time to empty and turn the bin so the mesh plate is facing up seal it up and leave for 24hrs. Then just restart the HB. You wouldn't want to seal it then loads of leachate drips on it and it falls off. Good luck.
@@BeanieComposter thanks I’ve given it 24 hrs and no change in temp. Lower part is saturated still. Mesh replacement on its way and think I’ll have to empty as it’s just not improving. I’ve taken out the filter as that was saturated and quite slimy. Will leave to dry out then put back tomorrow. Never ending problems!! They are temperamental and def not as easy as the hotbin co make out!! Fingers crossed I can get the sealant to work and mesh on before a little mouse finds it’s way in! !!
Would you believe it - 4 hrs after removing the filter and it’s gone from 35deg to 70!! Left it all night and day with steam pouring out the top 😂. Have now put filter back due to smell and flies so will see if it stays hot!!!
@@kateg730 Do you mean the carbon bag? That is some change within 4 hours. As you say the carbon filter does prevent smells so I would not advise leaving it out for too long. Looked at my top aeration valve tonight and looked like lots of flies eggs have been laid around it. Its at 60 degrees so will need to keep an eye on that. Did you dry the filter out before putting it back?
@@BeanieComposter yes the carbon bag thing. It was horrid but I put under cover (greenhouse) overnight and by late afternoon it had dried a bit and was less slimy. I see hotbin sell new ones but I think unless it totally deteriorates I’ll keep this one. I just hope the temp stays hot now!! I’ve never had such a quick result esp as I hadn’t fed for three days - just turning and turning trying to work out what was wrong.
Can I ask where you got your stirrer from? My supplied one broke after a few weeks (the very cheap plastic handle has separated from the metal). My HB Mini is also going through a cool phase, though I think it’s down to under-feeding, as I still get good, clear leachate. The thing is like a TARDIS, no matter how much I put in, it keeps going down below the hatch level, even after 6 weeks!
Hi David, so the stirrer I use in most videos has a yellow handle and is my original stirrer from the first HB about 6+ years old. It has bent quite a bit which is why I looked at a replacement from the HB company. It was then I realised that they were just long handled paint roller handles. As discussed in the (spare parts) video. The stirrer that came with the HB mini lasted a few months before the handle also came off. It felt cheap and I believe now the HB company have a good product which is well established they are now cutting costs on certain parts and the stirring stick is one. The HB certainly eats plenty and you never know the handle may be so cheap that if it falls in the HB then you may just not see it again even after 6 weeks. May be made of paper of something compostable. Look in toolstation or screwfix for a long handled paint roller and it may last a little longer.
Thanks for another useful video Beanie, good to know about possible worm invasions. Perhaps worm eggs can survive in the bin and then hatch out in the cooler areas at the bottom. My bin is going well most of the time but Ive had problems with mushrooms growing out at the side of the hatch creating a gap - have to open it up and clear and re-fit hatch. No idea if this is linked to woody material in bin or to putting mushroom trimmings in bin - all part of the hotbin experience! It can be frustrating sometimes but I keep reminding myself of how much waste is being recycled.
Hi Margaret, as you say can be frustrating at times. I have not had that experience of mushrooms growing out of the hatch. I have had them inside and I believe the spores are in wood chips that you put in as bulking agent. I don't think it is the mushroom trimmings. Maybe the hatch door is not on tight enough. I noticed recently that with the mini and only one strap that the door would prise open a little so I do think that could be an issue. Good to hear you are mainly having success with the HB keep up the good work.
Love the B team!!😎
Thank you
I was recommended to subscribe to and follow you as I have just ordered my first Hotbin today. It cost an eye-watering £337 from their own website so I have had to agree to have it as a birthday present. My ambition is to use my green bin just to store bulk material to feed my Hotbin and combine my can-o-worms wormery composter with the Hotbin too. If all goes well I might also get another for my next birthday and give away my tumbling composter which gets very heavy to tumble if it gets even a third full. Wish me luck 🪱🌱🥀🍀😁
Hi Stephanie. You are not wrong. It made my eyes water. I paid around £180 6-7 years ago and I thought that was a lot back then. We had better make it a success then.
One good thing is this is a great time to start. It sounds as if you have a lot of experience in composting so I don't think you will be needing luck but we are here to help on your HB composting journey should you need it.
Thank you for subscribing and we look forward to hearing about your HB adventures.
Hi Stephanie, you are in the right place. I have learnt and continue to learn from Mr & Mrs B.
I use a couple of bins to store green waste to feed my hotbin as you have described and works a treat. I also have a couple of daleks that I top up from the hotbin and let the worms finish it off.
Just this spring I have filled a 280 litre dalek direct from the hotbin (hence why I bought a 2nd!) which is easily the most I have made thanks to this community.
@@leehoeppner1199 Thanks for the great comment this is what it is all about.
Hey Beanie good to see you back! I had the same problem with my Mk 1 hotbin, it stayed on 40c for a while, I added some more waste with coffee grounds in which I havn’t used before, next day like yours outside guage reading was 55c, and it was steaming a good un, and still keeping hot, I have been feeding it a lot more lately to feed the hungry monster….lol I’ve got mine on 4 house bricks with a tray underneath it’s easier to collect the leachate, you a and missus are looking well, I’m glad to see, keep it up, the composting of course, sent you an email, trying to get another temp dial that doesn’t steam up too much with a long prong, the short prong one is fine, take it easy, Barry
Thank you Barry. Not easy keeping it up at my age and been using the Viagra to try and get the HB temp up. Good to hear all is well with the Mk 1 HB. My mini dials have a lot of water in them which is not ideal but just feel HB have gone cheap cheap cheap with some materials. The house bricks is a great idea. Will check out the email sorry don't always look at it that often but good to hear from you.
Haven’t been paying enough attention to my mini and it’s been cool for some time. Dread to think what’s going on in there. Masses of liquid every day going to have to clear it out it’s near the top.
Hi Sarah. I don't know where you are but the weather is ok now to take everything out and see what is going on. One good thing with a mini is you will not have as much waste to remove.
Have you been still feeding it on a regular basis?
You may just need an empty from the bottom where it may be compacted. Good luck and these HB's are like pets or children they need constant attention. Let us know how it all goes.
@@BeanieComposter Hi and thanks for your reply. You inspired me to open up the mini and see what was going on. I had been dreading what I’d find but it was fine. Quite a few worms, really good compost - no rats, snakes or ants nests (imagination run riot). Once I’d taken bottom half out she got up to heat again with another feed. Thanks as always for your motivating videos and advice. Best wishes to you both.
@@sarah10001 Never had a thought of a snake coming out of the HB but I guess I could get the little one to play the recorder and see what happens. Anyhow all good news and great that you are back up to temperature. Thank you for watching and leaving comments as that makes us feel like we are helping just a little bit.
Exact same problem with mine right now. Was going so well but then just stuck at 35 deg. Like you emptied and mixed and too wet so resolved that’s only to find two days later too wet again. V odd. Then noticed mesh plate completely blocked. Started to gently clean and the whole thing disintegrated!!!! Removed it totally and gunk pouring out!!! Pretty sure within an hour temp was going up. Have ordered new mesh and need to find way to attach! Going to try bathroom sealant I think. I just hope this resolves it and I don’t have to completely empty it and wash out the bottom reservoir!!!
Hi Kate nothing ever seems straight forward for long with these HB's. I did notice the mesh plate on the mini had already started to crumble away which considering its only about two years old is not great. they should be using quality materials as they know this part is exposed to water.
Hopefully this has resolved your blockage and it does not return.
A good sealant should do the trick. Make sure it is ok for external use. Also ensure your parts are really dry before you seal it. Might be a good time to empty and turn the bin so the mesh plate is facing up seal it up and leave for 24hrs. Then just restart the HB. You wouldn't want to seal it then loads of leachate drips on it and it falls off. Good luck.
@@BeanieComposter thanks I’ve given it 24 hrs and no change in temp. Lower part is saturated still. Mesh replacement on its way and think I’ll have to empty as it’s just not improving. I’ve taken out the filter as that was saturated and quite slimy. Will leave to dry out then put back tomorrow. Never ending problems!! They are temperamental and def not as easy as the hotbin co make out!! Fingers crossed I can get the sealant to work and mesh on before a little mouse finds it’s way in! !!
Would you believe it - 4 hrs after removing the filter and it’s gone from 35deg to 70!! Left it all night and day with steam pouring out the top 😂. Have now put filter back due to smell and flies so will see if it stays hot!!!
@@kateg730 Do you mean the carbon bag? That is some change within 4 hours. As you say the carbon filter does prevent smells so I would not advise leaving it out for too long. Looked at my top aeration valve tonight and looked like lots of flies eggs have been laid around it. Its at 60 degrees so will need to keep an eye on that.
Did you dry the filter out before putting it back?
@@BeanieComposter yes the carbon bag thing. It was horrid but I put under cover (greenhouse) overnight and by late afternoon it had dried a bit and was less slimy. I see hotbin sell new ones but I think unless it totally deteriorates I’ll keep this one. I just hope the temp stays hot now!! I’ve never had such a quick result esp as I hadn’t fed for three days - just turning and turning trying to work out what was wrong.
Can I ask where you got your stirrer from? My supplied one broke after a few weeks (the very cheap plastic handle has separated from the metal). My HB Mini is also going through a cool phase, though I think it’s down to under-feeding, as I still get good, clear leachate. The thing is like a TARDIS, no matter how much I put in, it keeps going down below the hatch level, even after 6 weeks!
Hi David, so the stirrer I use in most videos has a yellow handle and is my original stirrer from the first HB about 6+ years old. It has bent quite a bit which is why I looked at a replacement from the HB company. It was then I realised that they were just long handled paint roller handles. As discussed in the (spare parts) video.
The stirrer that came with the HB mini lasted a few months before the handle also came off. It felt cheap and I believe now the HB company have a good product which is well established they are now cutting costs on certain parts and the stirring stick is one.
The HB certainly eats plenty and you never know the handle may be so cheap that if it falls in the HB then you may just not see it again even after 6 weeks. May be made of paper of something compostable. Look in toolstation or screwfix for a long handled paint roller and it may last a little longer.
I put my cardboard in the shredder
Hi Sandra. It is amazing how good these shredders are now days. Hope all is good with your HB?
I’ve started mixing the cardboard and grass in smaller amounts and the heat is there for longer, takes me longer to cut the grass tho😂😂😂