7
TROUBLESHOOTING
Healthy compost is spongy, moist, and granular, with a mild “earthy” aroma of damp wool, mushrooms, parmesan
cheese, or coffee. It should look like healthy soil. Steam and heat rising are good signs. Here are some common
problems:
Problem
Solutions
Transfers
too soon
Some compost will leak down to the lower tray, especially in the
first batch. This is normal and not a problem just put back up top.
Won’t
Transfer or
Jams often
Repeat the transfer. Hard, large, fibrous, or stringy items can cause
problems – try to remove them. An overloaded mixing chamber can
also cause this problem – remove some material.
Strong
Odors
You may experience some odors especially in the beginning while
the cultures are being established. Make sure your unit is in PET
MODE and if compost is wet add more pellets and baking soda and
leave for 24 hours. Repeat if necessary. If the mixing chamber is
filled to high the unit cannot get oxygen properly via mixing and the
air pump and filter as well. Please make sure you don’t over fill the
unit.
Sour,
Sharp, or
Ammonia
Odors
These odors indicate too many green items to balance compost
with more pellets and baking soda, wait 24 hours. Pet waste may
require extra pellets.
Wine
aroma
Sometimes compost can smell like wine. This is normal. The
aroma should go away in a few days. Use PET MODE
Wet
Compost
Add more pellets; increase power setting; leave food in mixing
chamber for a few more days. Do not add liquids. Wet food; require
extra pellets to soak up the moisture.
Dry
Compost
Add more to the upper chamber or fewer pellets reduce power
setting; transfer sooner before compost dries out.
Lumpy
Compost
Cut foods smaller; avoid hard, stringy, and fibrous items; leave food
in the mixing chamber for a few more days; increase power setting.
In severe cases, lumpy compost will not transfer down.
Mold
Mold is generally harmless. It is usually caused by excess
moisture. See “Wet Compost” above.
Lid pops
open
An overloaded mixing chamber can pop the lid open, releasing heat
and odors. Transfer compost sooner. Do not overload.
No heat,
air pump,
mixing, or
power.
Change power to LOW and then HIGH. Check that the power cord
is firmly connected to the ROUND hole on the back of the machine,
and plugged into a working wall outlet. Reset the unit by holding
the button for 5 seconds until all lights blink. If there is still no
light on the control panel, contact customer service
English
