Comments regarding ComposTumbler (PBM Group)

Mostly good experience with the product. 7 years, some surface rust yes but no signs of rusting out.

Temperature? Volume + Mix = Temperature. You're not going to get a high temp in an above ground, easy to turn cylinder that you are dumping the kitchen waste into every few days. My composter, to no surprise, has frozen solid from December to February every winter. The March sun quickly thaws it out and by June last years leaves are ready to use.

So what makes my experience negative? The plastic gear finally gave out and I contacted them via the contact us form on the web site to find out how to order replacement parts. Heard nada from them.

NOwhere do they inform you that the backporch ComposTumbler doesn't get hot enough to kill weed seeds. This is EXTREMELY critical as most of us end up using some weeds in the mix. As a side 'benefit', it gets full of ants also as it doesn't create enough heat to deter them either. So, when you finally get compost, you also plant new weeds and ants with it. Compost in 4 to 6 weeks is extremely unlikely. Possibly in 6 weeks if you load it with "almost compost". If you use normal stuff that isn't shreaded to a fine powder expect at LEAST 8 weeks. So after two months, you get the equivalent to a small bag of compost that isn't sterile. Money back guarantee is a joke. They tell you to give it a little more time to compost. I asked about a return and refund twice and that was never addressed in their reply. I didn't want to spend the amount to return the unit only to have the return rejected. MOST companies give you RMA with explainations on how to return the item. I should have got a clue when their FULL testimonial page doesn't allow you to put in your testimony. Bottom line, save your money!

The center post rusted out in no time, the design has been changed now but I'm left without a centerpost and the drum turning is dangerous.
Now way do you get final compost in 10-14 days. The optimum biomass size is usually around 1 cu yard, 21 bushels or 27 cu ft. which allows you to get the heat needed to reduce the mass, only one model even comes close to this and it's pricey. It also assumes that you fill the tumbler to the brim every time but unless you have a good sized yard and the proper green/brown material mix ratio on hand, you won't get the heat and bio action going. I now use my 1/2 cu yard tumbler as a mixing station for the green/brown materials that go into three free standing bins.
Forget tumblers especially these expensive ones from this company. Notice they also mix the sizes between gallons, cu ft and bushels so you can't compare and figure out how small they are. Borders on false advertising.

Our ComposTumbler was purchased in 2002 for $300. Eight years later, all the metal has rusted out. The plastic parts are fine. Why would anyone use metal that rusts to build a composter? A composter is always outside in all elements!!!! Why would anyone use screws that rust when it is known that they would be exposed to all weather? I don't understand!!!! And I would not even begin to spend more money on another composter using the same materials!!!!! I am so disappointed with this ComposTumbler I would not recommend it to any body!!!!!!!

I ordered and received the ComposTumbler. I started setting it up and was missing screws and had a lower support section not drilled through. I took pictures and emailed them and was told that they would overnight the new section to me. I was told I would receive it on Saturday. I checked FedEx tracking and found out that they failed to check the extra charge for Saturday delivery, so now I wont be receiving the part til Tuesday being a long weekend. I spent good money on this product and they failed to inspect for quality control and feel that when you tell a customer something that it better happen. At this point I feel like shipping everything back to them

After having to fill out their online form with my name, address, email, etc. just to see their "special pricing", I decided not to buy the back porch compost tumbler from them as their "special price" was $239.00 which is $40.00 higher than the lowest price that I have found so far and $14.00 higher than Gardners Supply which is the first place I saw it at. Really aggravating that you have to give them your information just to see their rediculous prices.

I bought a large ComposTumbler for $400 in 1996 and in less than 10 years it rusted through. Their response is to charge me $111 for a new drum for the tumbler. I understand that the newer materials are better, but I am not impressed by ComposTumbler's lack of support for its product whose basic utility depends on being able to stand up to harsh outdoor conditions. Basically they seem to just want to make their earliest customers pick up the slack for their inferior quality older composters--and we were their first, "charter" customers. It seems ungrateful and stingy to me. Also, it did not make finished compost in 2 weeks as claimed.

Back in 2001 I purchased the full-size Compost Tumbler. Although we don't have a long composting season in Wyoming I was happy to use it as a receptacle for waste that eventually would be turned into compost. About three years passed and the two plastic end pieces just completely gave out - plastic fatigue I guess. I took photos of the destroyed tumbler and sent it to PBM group. They contacted me and told me that I was still within the warranty period so would replace the parts. Time went by and soon it was 2005 (now) and still now parts. With growing season beginning within a month or so (here, that is) I wanted to resolve this so called customer service. A very snotty CS representative asked me 'why did you wait so long to call us when you didn't receive the parts?' I was getting POd by then but if I didn't know they were shipped and wasn't advised of such, ?????? At any rate I'm resigned to the fact that I have lost the money - the construction is flimsy and not worth the price. I hope none of you buy this gadget. Instead, build yourself three side-by-side bins and do it the old-fashioned way, by turning the shovel.

400 bucks is a lot of change for one wheelbarrow full of compost per season, which is about all I get.
Save your money.

I bought the Compost Tumbler thinking it would be a good investment. Well, it was an investment. It does not make compost in 14 days. In fact, it takes me all season to make compost! Granted, I add to it at least once a week, but come on! At the end of the warm season, it still isn't hardly done. It was hard to assemble too. I did it by myself and it was a hassle. Unfortulately, I'll have to keep this tumbler because it cost me almost $400.

Holy Composting! NOT!!

14 days..no way. I tried all the techniques,supplies,ect.

It took forever to compost, and was so poorly finished that the frame supporting the drum rusted out in key support areas. The only good thing I can say is that it didn't take up much room.