Aerobin 400 Compost Bin - Our Best Seller!

Hi Jocelyn,

Your Aerobin can be placed where ever it’s convenient for you. Keep in mind, in a sunnier location, and in warmer climates the Aerobin will heat up faster. You may need to add water occasionally to keep it from drying out. You want to keep it as wet as a wrung-out sponge for the decomposition process to continue and turn into dark, rich compost..

If you place your Aerobin in a shadier area, the decomposition process will take longer and won’t dry out as fast so you may have to add more carbon material to keep the moisture level as wet as a wrung-out sponge.

So depending on the climate you live in, some shade on your composter in warmer climates and more sun in colder climates would be a good balance.

Thank You,
Diane
Customer Service

Hi Ginger,

I think by the “base cover” you are referring the “plate” that has holes in it that allows the leachate to strain through to the tank below. The base construction is different between the 200 and 400. The 400 has these “strainer slots” already built into the base itself so no base cover is needed.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Richard,

Thank you for reaching out. We do have replacement parts for the Aerobin composters. Please reach out to us at 877-760-8500, ext 702 or 703 to order the pieces you are needing. We can take the order over the phone.

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Paul,

I wondered this myself when I first saw the Aerobin.

Then design of the pipe/cone system allows air to move up the pipe, hit the inside of the bottom cone, flow down the interior of the cone and around the outside (the ribs will keep much of your compost from blocking this airflow and create pockets for the air to move) of that cone and some will go up the next pipe/some will go around and up and to the next cone and repeat.

This method circulates air through the center of your bin and forces the airflow using the warmth of the compost and natural cooling of the air to move it around.

If you drill holes, the air will just move up and not circulate properly.

I hope this helps!

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Mike,

Thank you for reaching out – I’m glad the Aerobin is working well for you.

Often when the compost is good and rich- it is often moist and may be compacted down. This can also happen if a lot of time passes between opening the bottom doors, as the interior of the door has a small “ledge” on the inside that compacted compost can settle on or the moisture can sometime dry and make it harder to pull the access door up to clear the bottom base lip before pulling outward.

You do have the right idea though. The best way to get it open is using a spade or similar tool that you can wedge between the green access door and black base. Place a couple 2x4s or bricks underneath to create a lever. It does sound as though you were doing this – you may need to apply more force on your lever to loosen compacted compost and lift the weight of what could be moist, heavy compost.

Once you do get it open, it is best to remove the finished compost with a hand rake so as to not disturb or knock the lung system in the middle.

I hope this helps!

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for reaching out. The lid can be secured – please see downloadable/printable document.

I am not so familiar with bear behavior…although this composter is about 70 pounds – much more when full, it seems most likely that a bear could knock it over and with weight on the side could get into it if he really wanted to.

The composter does not need sunlight – however you may get some odor from the composter in your carport. There should be a good flow of oxygen for proper composting.

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Selah,

I am glad you are liking your Aerobin composter! When the compost is left to mature for an extended time, it can get compactd down. This, paired with the leachate liquid drying at the edges can cause the bottom access doors to get “stuck”. Here is what we recommend to get at all that great compost:

• Keep in mind that that bottom access doors are in a locked position. To open them, you need to pull directly up on the handle and then out once the bottom lip clears the edge of the base.
• If heavy, mature compost has compacted behind the door, the best way to loosen it up so you can move the door upwards is to create a lever. You can do this by placing a block of wood or a brick next to the Aerobin and then insert the tip of a shovel into the crevice at the bottom of the access door – then push down the shovel handle using the brick as the block for your lever. Once the bottom has cleared the lip of the base, pull it outward.
• Once the access doors are removed, use a hand rake to carefully remove the finished compost, working around the interior lung system.
• Replace the doors
• Gently add pressure to the biomass at the top of the bin and it should fall into the bottom.

Please let me know if you need anything else.

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Christina,

Thank you for reaching out. The Aerobin is made in India.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance!

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi RJ,

Aerobin is a BPA free product.

The polymers used in the manufacture of the Aerobin are a compounded blend of virgin PP(Polypropylene) & HDPE (High-density polyethylene) - it’s a 80/20 blend.

Thank You,
Claudia
Customer Service

Hi Ron,

Thank you for your interest in our Aerobin composter! It is best to place the Aerobin on a firm, level surface, so pavement or pavers/bricks is a good option.

It does not need to be placed in the sun as the heat is generated from the inside. It is best to place it in a convenient location for you to make composting easy and convenient.

However, if rodents are prevalent around your area, preventative measures should be considered

• Locate the Aerobin in an area where there is as much people traffic as possible – Rats/Mice do not like being disturbed – so the more sheltered the location the more aggressive rodents can/will be.
• Don’t position the Aerobin close to a fence line – it provides a sheltered cavity between the fence and the Aerobin

Thank You,
Claudia, Customer Service

Hi Jennifer,

The Aerobin is made in India. Please let me know if you need further assistance!

Thanks,

Claudia, Customer Service

Hi Ada,

You can take apart the Aerobin by following the steps in this YouTube video.

Depending on how much space you have to move it – you could keep it together, but I’d highly recommend removing any compost and liquid leachate that might be in the bin to avoid a terrible mess while you are moving it.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Claudia, Customer Service

Please note Aerobin will keep composting at sub zero temperatures – but it will reach a point when the biomass will freeze over. When the Winter passes and ambient temperatures increase, the biomass will thaw out and the process will start again. However the more ingredients that you offer up to the Aerobin the more chance of the biomass remaining hot and fighting off the ambient cold weather.

Aerobin has insulation in the Lid & Walls that works both ways – it helps to keep heat in – as well as keeping heat & cold out.

Hi Rose,

Four key factors affect composting: Airflow, temperature, moisture, and the organic material added to the bin. Aerobin takes care of airflow and temperature. Adding organic waste and moisture level is usually where things might go awry.

Getting a good mix of organic materials – browns and greens may be the issue. Aerobin has a compost simulator on their site here that may help you determine if you have the correct mix. This document might also give you a good idea of what and how to add materials.

Another common issue I’ve seen is that the material in the bin is not moist enough – it should be as moist as a damp sponge. Sometime too many dry brown items are added and there is not enough moisture for the microorganisms to do their job. This is something I would recommend checking.

I have also spoken with customers that have compost and did not realize it as they were expecting soil – but compost won’t look like soil coming out of the Aerobin.

If you want, you can open the bottom access door of the Aerobin and send me some photos of what’s inside. I might be able to help diagnose based on the photos.

Additionally, the manufacturer’s site at www.aerobin400.com has a lot of resources – look for the tab that says “info & resources” and “composting with aerobin”.

Thanks! Claudia/Customer Service

Hi Cathy,

The Aerobin does not need to be in the sun. The heat for composting is generated from the microorganisms INSIDE the composter as they are breaking down the matter. So your spot sounds perfect!

Please let us know if you need anything else.

Hi Todd,

Thank you for your purchase of an Aerobin. Yes, the reason it is suggested to be on firm ground is exactly that. If you purchase some tubing to place on the leachate nozzle and leave it in the open position, it will be much more workable.

Please let us know if you need anything else.

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Hi John,

Thank you for reaching out. There are 2 bottom access doors from which to remove the finished compost with a hand rake. To remove the doors, first – pull them up by the handle and then out. Once you have removed the finished compost, replace the doors and gently push down on the unfinished compost from the top until it settles into the bottom level.

Please let us know if you need anything else.

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Hi Misti,

Thank you for reaching out. I think you are referring to the optional tube that you can add to the leachate tank. A 1/2" inner diameter tubing will work great. You should be able to buy this by the foot at any home improvement store.

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In theory, most of plants’ leave and stem are good source of nitrogen, so they can be composted. Perhaps not putting the root/seeds of these plant due to they are noxious.

For weeds & seeds to be killed during the composting process, the operating temperature needs to be high +40Deg C – which will only be achieved if the composting effort is optimized.

The Aerobin trials were run and observed at Swinburne University in Melbourne. The inputs were largely “greens” from the greengrocer, lawn cuttings and some newspaper/balled and office paper – shredded. The temperature readings that were obtained over Summer only got to 35Deg C. The trick is getting a sufficient loading of moisture in the mix, with a target ration of 70:30 – wet:dry material or nitrogen:carbon. It should also be a mix rather than large masses of very moist material in isolation to the dry material.

We had feedback from Japan during January (which was still winter there) and one Aerobin being operated by something of an expert in the field of composting and had reached temperatures as high as +60Deg C – the biomass was largely organic food waste from his home and “greens” waste from his fairly large vegetable garden – but it was the combination of wet & dry materials that yielded the results that he was getting.

So to conclude, the temperature is the key factor to determine if mentioned noxious plant can be fully composted or not. To achieve the ideal temperature, consumer should follow mentioned above.

Thanks, Claudia - Customer Support (512) 407-8500 Ext 701

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Hi Cris,

Thank you for reaching out. The AErobin 400 will hold up to the cold temperatures and the built in insulation does help keep in the heat generated so it will process further into the colder weather. However, during this cold weather, the microorganisms will slow down their decomposing. When it gets extremely cold it is likely to stop. However, you can continue to add scraps of greens/browns and it will begin again when the weather warms up.

Thanks, Claudia - Customer Support (512) 407-8500 Ext 701

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Hi Joan,

Thank you for reaching out. The doors at the bottom push directly up first and then pull out. Sometimes the compost compacts down and makes it difficult to open the access door. The easiest way to release it is to use a shovel like a lever - insert the tip of the shovel between the door and the base. Place a brick or rock under the shovel head so you can push down on the handle. This will push the tip of the shovel up (along with the door). While it is up, pull it out by the handle.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks, Claudia - Customer Support (512) 407-8500 Ext 701

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Hi Mary,

Thank you for your inquiry. The Aerobin is a great composter to be looking at for your climate, although we do only carry the Aerobin 400 at this time. The composting process does produce its own heat due to the activity and digestion by the microorganisms, so it does not rely on outside temperature. However, during colder months the microorganisms do slow down and decomposition and heat in the pile will also slow down. The insulated sides will help to retain some of the heat to keep the activity going for a while during freezes though. During this time you may continue to add your kitchen scraps to your pile – when it warms up the pile will begin to be active again.

Aerobin uses an aerobic process which means plenty of airflow is required, and if kept indoors a composting odor may be evident, so it should be kept outdoors. If kept in your insulated garage there is the possibility of attracting some pests an you may see some of the leachate along the floor occasionally.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks, Claudia - Customer Support (512) 407-8500 Ext 701

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Hi Erik,

There are vents at the bottom which will allow enough air in, even when it is placed on the ground.. It can be helpful to raise the bin up slightly however to be able to adjust the leachate tap.

Thanks, Customer Support.

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Hi Michael,

Due to the unique high design with the double insulated walls the Aerobin composter does not need to stand in the sun (to get warm) – it will work very well in the shade. As such it is recommended to place the Aerobin not in direct sunlight – the less direct sunlight one has on a plastic container the longer the container lasts. In direct sunlight I expect the Aerobing to last at least 10 years but in the shade it will be double that.

Thanks, Customer Support.

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Hi Jessica,

The standard ratio is 10 to 1 (10 x more water).

Thanks, Customer Support.

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