Double-Decker Drum Composter

Make a double spinning composter from 55 gallon drums!
Introduction:

 Composting is easy and fun. Kitchen scraps, leaves and lawn clippings are allowed to decompose naturally and they become a healthy, nutrient-rich and beneficial soil for the garden.

In this tutorial, I will show how I made a spinning double drum composter to make soil for my garden.

 

 

Step 1: Making the frame

 I decided against documenting every step with building the frame, mainly because it's a simple enough design.

The frame consists of 3 pressure treated 4x4's and 1 pressure treated 1x4, all eight feet long. One 4x4 was cut exactly in half and the 1x4 was cut into quarters - they were to become the 2 beams and 4 stakes.

I drilled pilot holes through the posts and into the beam and held them together with galvanized lag bolts. Each of the corners where the beam meets the post got corner braces and the top got flat braces. The braces are meant for extra support, since the barrels may become heavy. The space between the top beam and bottom beam was 3 feet.

I used a 2 inch hole saw to cut holes into sides of the posts so they can hold the poles later on.

Then, I used some exterior screws to fasten the stakes to the bottom of the posts. The entire frame gets cemented into the ground later and the 4 stakes offer additional support to the frame.

At the bottom of the posts and stakes, I drilled some screws partially into the wood to hold them into the cement better.

 


 

 

 

 

Step 2: Installing the frame

After the frame was complete and I decided where it was going to go, I dug two trenches for the posts and stakes to go into. 

 

 

Step 3: Installing the frame

After I dug the holes and set the frame into place, I filled the holes with fast setting cement. Each hole took 6 bags (12 total - 60 lbs. each).

Once the barrels are made and full, they could get very heavy with the compost so the frame and concrete anchors must be strong. I feel as though the stakes and concrete will prevent the frame from leaning or moving much.

 

 

Step 4: The barrel poles

I used galvanized poles left over from another job and cut two 5 foot lengths. These go through the holes in the posts and are what holds the barrel.

Be careful when selecting poles, since they will need to be strong to support the weight of the barrels when they're full.

 

 

 

Step 5: The barrels

Once the frame was ready, I began working on the barrels which are made from 55 gallon drums.

I decided to use blue since they get warm and will heat the compost inside. The barrels need to be a dark color since light colors will reflect the sun and heat is important when composting.

Using a 2 inch hole saw, I cut holes exactly in the center of the bottom and top of the barrels. This is what the pole will go through.

Then, using a rotary saw, I cut a rectangular door into each barrel. Take care that the door is big enough to allow comfortable access to the inside of the barrel.

After that, I used a drill to drill several hundred holes all over the barrels to allow for air to circulate inside the barrel. Air is also important when composting.

 

 

 

Step 6: The barrels

To make the door, I had to get several pieces of hardware.

I needed 2 flat braces, 2 handles, 4 hinges, 8 barrel locks and enough screws/nuts/washers to hold everything on.

Each door got 4 barrel locks since they work together to hold the door closed while spinning and they help to keep the shape of the door, since they tend to lose their shape and flatten out.

Each barrel also got a flat brace installed inside. It sticks up slightly to prevent the door from falling inward.

 

 

 

Step 7: The barrels

Now that the barrels were finished, I put the pole through the barrel and put them on the frame.

I checked everything and made sure that the barrels spun on the poles properly.

At this point, the project is complete.

 

 

Step 8: Using the composter

Making compost in the barrels is easy. Simply throw all kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, leaves and other organic matter into it and it will decompose naturally and make healthy soil.

Once one barrel is full, the next one can be started on. Rotate the barrels every so often to mix and aerate the compost.

***Take care not to put things like meat and animal feces into the the compost - only vegetables and plants. However, one exception to this would be eggshells. If unsure, do an internet search on composting to find lists of acceptable materials.***

 

 

 

Step 9: Optional (but helpful) hint

 This step is purely optional, but I don't want to have to make a trip out to the composter every time I make something in the kitchen, so what I do is keep a little plastic bin in my freezer. I put everything in there and when it gets full, I dump it into the composter. It melts and decays right along with everything else and saves me a few trips. 

 

 

Summary:

I really had a good time making this project. It was easy enough and the design was quite simple. Now, by next spring, I should have some great compost for my garden so I can grow some healthy plants.

I can't wait for spring to come on full-force!

 

 

 

What did you think of this tutorial?
+ 502
18 CommentsAdd a Comment
Cmo61 on Oct 7, 2023
 
Could do a crank handle on one side of each galvanized pipe somehow to spin the bins
Santiago on Mar 9, 2023
 
Hola estoy en busca de diseño. Este me pareció espectacular, solo tengo una curiosidad. Al pasar el tiempo el compost genera olor. Como lo neutraliza!?
Malcolm on Apr 25, 2020
 
I have been looking for an idea for composting in our complex as all the leaves and grass is thrown away. This is definitely an excellent and clean idea and will implement it using the suggestions I have made below. Thank you
Shirley on Jun 17, 2019
 
I am so glad to see this post. I've wanted one of these for years but they are too expensive. I will make this but will just make one instead of a double because I am short and it would be too tall for me to reach. Thanks so much for sharing.
am penny on Jun 8, 2017
 
Just curious how you empty the top one without it just dumping on the bottom one.
Nelly on May 6, 2019
 
I thought about that too
Malcolm on Apr 25, 2020
 
Stagger them so the top one is slightly in front of the bottom one.
Charlie on Feb 17, 2017
 
Nice looking tumbler system but one thing needs attention -- there needs to be several mixers (possibly 3 flat bars) that would be used to flip or scoop the compost from the bottom to give it a good stirring.
Simon H on Mar 2, 2019
 
No need - the bins rotate so contents get mixed far more effectively than could be done with a stirrer
jmelson on Jul 31, 2015
 
Great tutorial!! Thanks so much for taking the time to document everything!
Lynn on Jul 31, 2015
 
My concern is that as the weight of the compost inside gets greater, the plastic ends of the barrel around the holes will tear. I see this was originally posted in 2008... did you have any problems with that?
Malcolm on Apr 25, 2020
 
Reinforce the holes with a piece of sheet metal riveted on the outside
Claudia on Jul 31, 2015
 
Absolutrly Fabulous! Love the idea & so compact & handy for Urban gardners. What a wonderful idea! Thanks so much. Can't wait until I get my house & put this in my back yard. I also sent this to my brother & nephew because they have a garden & grow flowers. This is deffinately better than the system they are using.
Claudia on Jul 31, 2015
 
Fabulous & Fantastic. Love it 4 urban gardeners.
Shannon on Jul 31, 2015
 
Super Awesome!
carlos garcia on Jul 30, 2015
 
Gracias por compartir sus experiencias las pondré en practica
mikie on Jul 14, 2015
 
think it would be better if it had a couple of bars on the inside to make the compost flip an turn better. thats what i did when making parts tumblers at work makes the parts clean better so it should do the same for compost
johndenis on Jan 15, 2011
 
great idea,and it simple,thank you
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  • Rating : + 502
  • Last Updated : Apr 5, 2008