Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been interested in composting for years. We moved 2 years ago from an area that had kitchen scraps composting with yard waste, but our new city doesn't do that. I had looked into regular composting, but it seemed like a lot of work and with a baby (now 2 year old) it wasn't right for me. I had also researched vermicomposting, but hadn't actually done it. I was contacted to see if I wanted to review this and jumped at the chance since it had been an interested of mine for a long time. Plus, I realized it would be great for my kids to help with and learn about. I'm going to talk first about the composter, but then throw in a little info about our whole composting experience. Unpacking and setting up: This was very easy to set up. It came mostly assembled. I screwed in the legs and inserted the spout and we were pretty good to go. It came with a brief instruction guide. I recommend if you are new to composting to do plenty of research first. It's fairly easy, but does require a little commitment. Given that you're looking at around $200 to get started (with worms) and a couple hours initially and about 30 minutes a week, I think it's worth researching. I spent a couple hours looking at web sites, reading recommendations, comparing products, ect. Then I determined it was something I was willing to invest some time in. Composter unit: The composter looks really nice. I've looked at various worm composters and can say this honestly the most attractive one I've seen. It is sleek, modern and clean. Without someone telling me, I wouldn't guess this is a composter based on looks. It is absolutely attractive enough for a home. I've been using it with my worms for almost 2 weeks. I have it in my garage because I have a 2 year old and don't want to find worms scattered all over my kitchen. It's also protected from the heat/cold in there. But, I can tell you I would feel absolutely comfortable keeping this in the house. I haven't found any worms on the ground outside nor have I had any leakage. I am starting to collect the fluid in the bottom and none has dripped out. This would be excellent for individuals with limited space or anyone who wants to compost inside. Worms: I called around to some local bait shops and sports stores. I found a list online of local places. Only one had worms and they sold them in batches of about 20. That obviously isn't enough, so I ordered them on Amazon Uncle Jim's Worm Farm 500 Count Red Wiggler Live Composting Worms I purchased 500 worms, although in hindsight I wish I would've purchased 1,000. I read everywhere that worms reproduce like crazy, so I figured I'd save a few bucks by ordering 500. After getting everything set up I realize we product a lot of kitchen scraps and wish I would've started with more. I am very happy with my worms though. Our composting experience: We've been going at this 2 weeks. The first few days were a little rough for me. I read all about what to do, but I didn't realize that I would be a little anxious those first few days. First of all, I had everything set up. Damp newspaper, some kitchen scraps and my worms. I had read about everything, especially that initially they are a little out of sorts and like to escape a lot. I put the worms in and closed the lid. Unfortunately, my kids were super curious and opened the lid a couple times that day, then my mom came over and opened the lid. The worms HATE light. So not only were the settling in, but they were mad that light kept coming in. The next day I looked at the screen and the bottom. Probably half of my worms were either on the white mesh or in the base of the unit. I was so stressed. I wasn't sure why they were leaving, I had given them a wonderful array of yummy treats. After reading some articles again I realized that escaping for the first few days is completely normal, but also that the light wasn't helping. I put them all back on top and vowed to keep the lid closed for a few days. Every since then I've only had a few stragglers get out here and there. They do make it all the way in the base if the tub, which I'm very confused how they get around the mesh. Somehow they do make it back up though. So all my worrying about them escaping and dying a slow death in the bottom of the bin was unfounded. They come and go as the please for the most part now. Sometimes I do spend a few minutes collecting them and putting them back up in the tray though, but not very often. Tips (these are all things you can find online or in the instructions, but this is what I would tell a friend if they asked for tips) -They hate the light. Use it to your advantage. I wish I would've used glow sticks or a light source in the bottom of the bin for the first few days. If I would've done that and kept the lid closed I think they would've stayed where they belong. -Chop food up. This speeds up the process by quite a lot. I save my composting material and then chop it all at once. -Use more bedding than what you think. One article I read said up to a 4:1 ration (bedding to organic matter). I learned that my paper shredder is my best friend. It's so much easier than ripping and makes smaller pieces. My shredder will do cardboard, so I cut the flaps off my boxes (free of tape) and put them through. I also put my non colored newspaper in there. This made it so much easier! -Only put food in every 4 days (ish). I have read some people who add a little everyday, but I found that it takes less time if I save my scraps in a bin under the sink and then chop them all at once. It also keeps the light out as much as possible. -Check the bottom. You may think they can't get around the screen, but they may be able to. You can check the bottom without lifting the lid. Just have someone life the tray with the lid on it off, then you can check what's going on down below. -Order more worms than you think. They do compost pretty quickly, but after collecting our stuff I realize that we have a lot of scraps. Yes, they will multiply, but I realized it was like $6 more or something for 1,000 versus 500 worms. I wish I would've ordered more. Overall, this is great composter. It's fun and environmentally friendly to compost and great for your plants. I will update as time goes on and I harvest my first batch of castings! I was sent this for testing and review purposes. I never let that influence my rating or review of products. This is just a wonderful composter! 1 month update: I am excited that I can see so much progress. The worms are mostly staying in their home. I check every couple days and less than 10 are usually down in the net area or in the bottom. I keep checking though because if conditions become unfavorable then they will mass exodus out to the bottom, which I want to catch if it happens. I am about 1/3 to halfway to my first batch of castings. Yay! There are a few issues that have come up that I want to mention though. First, I don't kow if I recommend leaving this in the house anymore. I have a small mite problem, which is very common from my research on the matter. It's not uncommon at all for mite to set up shop, I'm doing some things to discourage them from staying, but I would be very unhappy if they were in my house. Worms also crawl around on the lid and leave dirt up there, so occasionally when I remove the lid dirt will drop off. Not cool for inside the house. Problem #2. I'm lowering my rating of this composter because of this. Below the bin there's a screen that collects dirt and worms (although worms and dirt still end up below, but at least the worms don't fall all the way down and die). There are cloth handles on either side of this to lift it up. The material it's made of apparently is yummy to the worms because they have eaten my handles away (see pictures). I now have to find a small edge to grasp if I want to lift this up. This makes me worried that they will eventually eat away at the cloth screen as well. This definitely should be redesigned! It also should be made with something that is easier to clean. I give it a few more months before it's icky beyond saving. On a positive note, I'm seeing lots of baby worms in my bin! Yay! I don't know if it's because my worms shipped with eggs or if it's because they're reproducing already, but I'm happy! 3 month update: I feel like we've hit the sweet spot with the worms and the composter. I don't find many worms in the bottom or on the screen anymore. Usually about 10 total outside of the composter. Sometimes I go a week or two without adding and then add a bunch or sometimes I had a few slices of fruits/veggies a day. We still have little bugs on and in the composter. I still wouldn't recommend this for indoors based on my experience with it. I have tried egg shells and coffee grounds to discourage the bugs, but haven't had any luck. About two weeks ago I felt we had reached the end of the cycle with our first tray, so I placed the second one on top and started with a bunch of shredded paper and some food scraps. I've been slowly adding since then. About half of the worms have migrated up to the top. I am hoping the rest catch on and head up. I'm sure once there's nothing left to eat they will get the hint and enjoy their new dinner selection. I am adding pictures of the compost produced.