Comments on: Wasted Gifts http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/ a look at how America squanders nearly half of its food Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:51:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Sandy http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-20018 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:28:44 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-20018 Jonathan, I promised you an update: So, it took 5 weeks for the composter to get delivered. I've had it in action for almost 2. So far, I'm disappointed but am holding out some hope that it will get better. To start, it's pretty loud. I don't mind the constant hum -- that you can get use do to. It's the periodic clanking during the mixing cycle (which happens every few hours) that's more of a problem. Even though it's on the other side of the apartment, it's been waking me up at night. But that's not the worst of it -- huge drama with the smell. I've tried adding baking soda and sawdust pellets per the instructions and increase the "brown/dry" stuff we put in ... but it's still pretty bad. I think this tool is best for people who have garages or can keep it outside. (And if I had that option, I wouldn't need an electric composter) Bummer. Sandy Jonathan,

I promised you an update:

So, it took 5 weeks for the composter to get delivered. I’ve had it in action for almost 2. So far, I’m disappointed but am holding out some hope that it will get better.

To start, it’s pretty loud. I don’t mind the constant hum — that you can get use do to. It’s the periodic clanking during the mixing cycle (which happens every few hours) that’s more of a problem. Even though it’s on the other side of the apartment, it’s been waking me up at night.

But that’s not the worst of it — huge drama with the smell. I’ve tried adding baking soda and sawdust pellets per the instructions and increase the “brown/dry” stuff we put in … but it’s still pretty bad.

I think this tool is best for people who have garages or can keep it outside. (And if I had that option, I wouldn’t need an electric composter)

Bummer.

Sandy

]]> by: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15723 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:54:55 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15723 Thanks, Sandy. I guess we've switched roles--I'm now waiting on your NatureMill report. Happy Birthday! Thanks, Sandy. I guess we’ve switched roles–I’m now waiting on your NatureMill report.

Happy Birthday!

]]> by: Sandy http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15644 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:09:37 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15644 Impatience got the better of me and my husband has ordered one for me as a birthday present. In the ordering process we gave your blog credit for referring us, so hopefully they'll hook you up! I'll let you know how it goes. Impatience got the better of me and my husband has ordered one for me as a birthday present. In the ordering process we gave your blog credit for referring us, so hopefully they’ll hook you up!

I’ll let you know how it goes.

]]> by: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15535 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:36:32 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15535 Cool, Sandy. I've contacted NatureMill and am hoping they'll send me one. Cool, Sandy. I’ve contacted NatureMill and am hoping they’ll send me one.

]]> by: Sandy http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15411 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:06:26 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15411 As an apartment dweller with absolutely no outside space to my name, I'm the prime candidate for the NatureMill. VERY interested to hear how effective it is. I've considered the composting with worms -- but with a nosy cat, I think it would spell disaster. As an apartment dweller with absolutely no outside space to my name, I’m the prime candidate for the NatureMill. VERY interested to hear how effective it is.
I’ve considered the composting with worms — but with a nosy cat, I think it would spell disaster.

]]> by: Adam Kamerer - JoyChaser.com http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15296 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:04:09 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15296 You raise some interesting points. I look forward to hearing the results if you can get a product to test. I wonder how well the NatureMill contains the smell... You raise some interesting points. I look forward to hearing the results if you can get a product to test. I wonder how well the NatureMill contains the smell…

]]> by: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15288 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:07:21 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15288 I'm with you on this one, but many people just won't deal with the "ick" factor of composting. The compost container gets smelly, and the process does take some effort. Having a unit under your sink would make composting easier, and, thus, more widespread. Plus, there's the city/apartment issue that you mentioned. I agree that outdoor/old-school composting is probably better (it doesn't use electricity!), but the NatureMill would seem to fill a need for eco-conscious folks happy to spend a bit. I've never used a NatureMill, so I can't say for sure. I'm hoping to get one to test and will be sure to post the results if I do. I’m with you on this one, but many people just won’t deal with the “ick” factor of composting. The compost container gets smelly, and the process does take some effort. Having a unit under your sink would make composting easier, and, thus, more widespread. Plus, there’s the city/apartment issue that you mentioned.

I agree that outdoor/old-school composting is probably better (it doesn’t use electricity!), but the NatureMill would seem to fill a need for eco-conscious folks happy to spend a bit. I’ve never used a NatureMill, so I can’t say for sure. I’m hoping to get one to test and will be sure to post the results if I do.

]]> by: Adam Kamerer - JoyChaser.com http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15286 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:23:44 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/12/27/wasted-gifts/#comment-15286 What exactly is the benefit of buying an indoor composter compared to building your own outdoor unit? I suppose it saves the inconvenience of having to go outside and do some work (oh, the horror!), but it seems a bit of a waste of money to me. Granted, I could see it finding some good use in a highly urban area where there's no room for an outdoor unit, so maybe that's what it's intended for. :) What exactly is the benefit of buying an indoor composter compared to building your own outdoor unit? I suppose it saves the inconvenience of having to go outside and do some work (oh, the horror!), but it seems a bit of a waste of money to me. Granted, I could see it finding some good use in a highly urban area where there’s no room for an outdoor unit, so maybe that’s what it’s intended for. :)

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