QUESTIONS about recycling method

JK 125 and 270

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q - Can I really compost all my kitchen waste? What about bones?

A - Yes, you really can compost everything (although watery soups and stews should be drained first). You can put in things such as fish bones, chicken carcasses and other bones. The fish bones will compost thoroughly and disappear. The chicken and larger meat bones will come out cleaned of any traces of meat (and will not be attractive to pets or vermin). Smaller chicken bones (e.g. ribs) will compost if they are in for a sufficiently long time. 

Q - Where can I buy wood pellets?

A - Wood pellets are normally available from a solid fuel stove supplier (they are the latest ‘carbon neutral' energy source for stoves and boilers) - look in your Yellow Pages under “Heating Equipment- Solid Fuel”. If you have difficulties, we can send you 15 kg of wood pellets, but though the cost of the pellets is cheap, the postage is expensive and it would cost £20 in total. Wood pellet cat litter can also be used, but it is more expensive (although if you have a cat it will be ideal – you can use the waste litter). 

Q - Doesn't cat litter contain chemicals?

A - You can buy 100% compostable and bio-degradable cat litter such as Cat's Best Öko Plus, SmartCat, Bio-Catolet (paper based) – there are plenty on the market and they can be bought online. 

Q - Is there anything else I can use apart from wood pellets or sawdust?

A - Coir (coconut fibre) works well - bales can be obtained by mail order from Fertile Fibre http://www.fertilefibre.com/index.html 

Q - Can I use cardboard or shredded paper instead of wood pellets?

A - Paper needs to be cross-shredded otherwise it bunches up in the machine and forms a ball. Cardboard is more of a problem as it needs to be cut up into small pieces by hand. You also need a considerable amount, so it's better to consider this as a supplement, not a substitution. 

Q - What about garden waste? Can I put this in?

A - You can put in any vegetation, except hard, woody stems and branches – these don't have enough time to compost down, even if shredded. For this reason we don't recommend wood chips in place of pellets or sawdust. 

Q - If I put my garden weeds in, will it kill off the seeds?

A - The only common seeds that seem to be indestructible are tomato seeds. All other seeds will be destroyed by the heat generated in the machine. 

Q - Can I put my grass cuttings in?

A - Yes – but if you produce a large amount on a regular basis you will fill the machine in no time and have no room for your kitchen waste! 

Q - How often do I need to turn the machine?

A - Every time you put waste in - that's all. 

Q - Does the machine come complete with the brackets to hang it on the wall?

A - Yes. 

Q - I have a wooden shed. Can I hang it on that?

A - Normally no, unless it is specially reinforced for the purpose. The machines are very heavy when full - the JK 270 will weigh around 250kg. You can concrete in a couple of 150mm x 150mm posts to attach it to or attach the unit to a solid brick or block wall with rawlbolts or similar - DO NOT USE ORDINARY PLUGS AND SCREWS. If in doubt, stand it on the ground. 

Q - If I don't want to hang it on a wall, does it need to be on a firm base?

A - Yes – the legs should stand on planks, slabs or concrete, otherwise when full it will sink into the ground. 

Q - Does the process produce liquid?

A - Yes, some liquid production is unavoidable and the machines are not water-tight. Moisture content of the mixture is regulated by the wood pellets or sawdust (see the operating instructions). It is important to drain your kitchen waste of any excess liquid before you put it into the machine. 

Q - What is the machine made of?

A - The body is made of painted galvanized/zinc-coated steel. The insulation is made of polyethylene, which is one of the most stable plastics made - it is used to make water storage tanks - so there are no chemicals to leach out into the compost.