Critter-proof kitchen compost bin?

[Willowdale]

I want to build a compost bin just to compost the food garbage we produce (1-2 adults only). We're not yet gardening because still in construction site mode, so the food garbage is all we have to compost now. How should I do this without creating a varmint carnival in the yard?

I'm thinking a cubic yard sized bin made of chicken wire, stuffed with straw, then we dig a hole in the center of the straw for the food, cover with straw, and keep a chicken wire lid over it. Does that make sense?

[Wolf mom]

Why not just make a bin out of pallots? Your straw will decompose eventually. Depends upon what kind of critters you have around if it needs a lid. Throw your kitchen scraps in, cover with some dirt, leaves, etc. Don't forget to water. Don't normally see lids on compost bins around here.

I have a compost pile & a dog that has torn out the cabinet under my sink trying to get at the trash. He's never tried to get into my compost pile with 3 foot high sides.

[Freeholder]

The only critters I've ever had bother my compost pile were stray dogs, and building it with four sides will solve that problem (I need to put a fourth side on mine). Pallets work well.

Kathleen

[blessedx5]

One of the more inventive things I've seen is a regular old black plastic garbage can with bungee cords holding the top on. You just throw your garbage in, strap on the cord and roll it back and forth on the ground. It composts as fast as one of those expensive tumblers -- and it's cheap!

In colder months you wrap a piece of reflective insulation around it -- open it during the day, to reflect the sun onto the heat absorbing black trash can then wrap the insulation around it at night to keep the heat in.