Features
For composting bio-waste all year round
Adjustable valve for ventilation. Patented ventilation system
All round, efficient thermal insulation.
Shaped cover/lid designed to return condensed moisture to the compost mass
Available in green and grey
Use
Intended for biodegradable waste only
Do NOT put anything into the composter that will not biodegrade or may hamper the composting process, such as:
- plastic, rubber, glass, leather
- chemicals, rot-resistant or disinfecting agents, paints, solvents, petrol
- detergents, washing water
- lime
- ash, cigarette butts, matches
- vacuum cleaner bags
- cardboard, glossy paper, large amounts of paper at any one time.
Filling
If you use biodegradable bags, empty the waste from the bag into the composter and put the bag inside separately
Always cover the waste with Compost and Toilet Bulking Material.
A suitable amount is about 1/3–1/2 of the amount of waste added. Use more bedding if the waste is wet.
You can also put the bedding material onto the bottom of the bio-waste bin. This way the bin will remain tidy.
Continue the filling at the same pace as the waste is accumulating.
If possible, add waste to the composter several times a week. This is particularly important during the cold season.
If the temperature of the composter is higher than the temperature of the outside air, turn the adjuster of the inlet air valve to the figure 100.
Follow the temperature of the composter and the outside air. If the compost mass starts cooling down, decrease the setting until the temperature stabilises.
using the Compost mixer, mix the part of the waste added most recently, i.e. the layer about 20-30 cm thick from the top.
Mixing is not necessary every time waste is added. The more generously you apply the bedding, the less you need to mix the mass.
Do not mix the compost mass down to the bottom, so that the lowest layer that has already cooled down does not cool down the compost mass in the heating phase.
Emptying
EMPTY ALL YEAR ROUND TO KEEP A CONSISTENT COMPOSTING PROCESS
The Composter 220eco light must be emptied all-year round. Thanks to the oxygen burst, the temperature of the mass often rises in connection with the emptying. Empty the composter when it is almost full with waste. During the warm season, empty at most half of the total content. During the cold season, empty the composter less frequently, and remove smaller amounts at a time.
Open the emptying door and remove mass using a spade.
Use Emptying Aid Clean (or similar cleanser) in particular to the edges of the emptying door and its opening.
Also clean under the liquid separator plate, and make sure that the seep liquid hose is not clogged.
If the mass that you are emptying is very wet, shovel a couple of spadesful of Compost and Toilet Bulking Material on the bottom of the composter.
From the top, push down the mass after emptying by using the Compost mixer or a spade.
You will find it easiest to begin from the corners. Be careful not to break the air channel in the middle.
Empty the seep liquid receptacle, if necessary.
ONCE AGAIN, EMPTY ALL YEAR ROUND TO KEEP A CONSISTENT COMPOSTING PROCESS
To be observed during the cold season
The heat in the composter is generated by combustion of the waste. The unit itself does not create any heat. The micro-organisms continuously need fresh waste for maintenance of their vital functions. The thermal insulation of the Composter Biolan 220eco light prevents the heat from escaping, and thus sustains the operation.
In the cold time of the year it is important to use the composter, i.e. to fill and empty it. Only then can such conditions be created for the micro-organisms that they will be able to maintain a temperature that is higher than the outside air temperature.
Even if the reading of the temperature gauge drops to zero or close to it, do not stop using the composter.
Even if the composter's temperature gauge has been at zero for a few days, there may still be some unfrozen mass inside the composter. If the composter is full, empty it even in the winter.
Do not reduce or stop the use of bedding even in the cold time of the year; using plenty of bedding is even more important then.
Wet mass freezes more easily.
Store the bedding in a warm, dry place.
check that freezing of the air inlet or the air outlet valves will not impede the circulation of air. Remove any ice as needed.
Freezing of the mass does not harm the compost mass or damage the composter or its components.
The decomposition of the compost mass will continue once the sun starts warming things up again in spring.
Cleaning the Composter 220eco
Cleaning:
- Do not wash the composter. Various mould, ray fungi and micro-organisms are the decomposers in the compost, and should not be washed away.
- Clean the air inlet valve, the air outlet opening and the seep liquid hose, if necessary.
Using the air inlet valve
- if the temperature of the composter is higher than the temperature of the outside air, keep the adjuster of the inlet air valve turned to the right, i.e. in the position 100.
- follow the temperature of the composter and the outside air. If the compost mass starts cooling down, decrease the setting until the temperature stabilises.
- during the warm season, you can generally keep the air inlet valve fully open, i.e. in the position 100, and during the cold season, almost closed, i.e. in the position 20.
- by design the air inlet valve can never be fully closed. In the position 20, 20 % of its holes are open.
Using the air outlet valve:
- normally, the air outlet valve does not need to be adjusted. It is open, and cannot be closed at all. If the moisture-content of the composter is high, you can increase the ventilation by opening the valve.
- to open the valve, move its knob to the position "extra", i.e. to the right, seen from behind the composter
- note that the intensified ventilation may cool down the composter in winter. Follow the situation and modify accordingly.
