A small garden doesn't have to mean a small compost problem. Most households produce kitchen and garden waste every week, and the right compost bin can turn it into compost without taking over your space. Here's how to choose the right size, what to look out for, and which HOTBIN suits your household.
How small is a small compost bin?
Small compost bins usually hold around 100 to 200 litres, roughly the size of a wheelie bin. That's enough for an average household's kitchen waste and the trimmings from a small or medium garden. The two smallest HOTBIN composters are the HOTBIN Mini (100L) and the HOTBIN 200.
Work out how much waste you have
For a hot compost bin to work well, it needs a steady amount of waste to stay hot. The HOTBIN Mini needs about 2.5kg a week, which is roughly one small kitchen caddy, and suits an average 1-2 person household. The HOTBIN 200 needs about 5kg a week, or two small kitchen caddies, and suits an average 3-5 person household with a small or medium garden. If you're a small household, the 200 may run cooler on your waste, so the Mini is the better fit.
If your waste is on the low side, a bin can still work, but it will run cooler and take longer. Feed it two or three times a week, and add some brown woody material such as hard woody prunings or woodchip to keep air moving through the compost. All About Woodchip & Composted Wood explains how it helps, and Do I Have Enough Waste to Maintain a Hot Composting? covers what to do if you have less waste than you'd like.
Think about the space
You can put a HOTBIN on any flat, even surface, in sun or shade. The Mini measures 115 x 45 x 45cm and the 200 measures 115 x 55 x 55cm. Neither needs assembling, so there's nothing to put together. For real examples, read how one gardener composts in a small paved garden and how a small household copes with its waste.
Why choose a hot compost bin?
A cold heap can take 12 to 24 months to produce compost. A HOTBIN is insulated so it runs hot, typically at 40-60°C, and can give you compost in as little as 30 to 90 days. There's no turning or tumbling, and it takes cooked food, meat and fish as well as garden waste. Why Choose HOT Composting? explains the difference in more detail, and Hot Composting for Beginners shows what to expect in your first month.
A plinth raises the bin 125mm off the ground and makes collecting liquid fertiliser easier. You can buy one with the bin in the plinth bundles.
Which size is right for you?
If you live alone or as a couple and want something compact, the Mini is the natural choice. If you have a family and a small or medium garden, the 200 gives you the extra capacity. For a larger plot or an allotment, look at the HOTBIN Mega. You can also compare every size in the HOTBIN range.
Small compost bin FAQs
Is a small compost bin big enough for a family?
The HOTBIN Mini suits an average 1-2 person household. For three to five people, the HOTBIN 200 is designed to cope with the extra waste, as long as the garden is small or medium.
Can I put a compost bin in a small garden or on a patio?
Yes. A HOTBIN stands on any flat, even surface, in sun or shade, and the Mini is 115 x 45 x 45cm. The small paved garden case study shows how it works in practice.
What can I put in a small compost bin?
Food and garden waste, including cooked food, meat, fish and small bones. See What Can I Compost From The Kitchen? for a full list, and Can I Compost Only Food Waste? if you don't have a garden.
What should I do if my compost bin smells?
Read Odours Coming From The HOTBIN for the causes and how to fix them.
Ready to choose?
If you're new to composting, start with How to Start Composting: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide. When you're ready to buy, take a look at the HOTBIN Mini (100L) or the HOTBIN 200.