Kekkilä Thermal Composter, Руководство пользователя

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Kekkilä Thermal Composter
20
EN
Instructions for use: filling, servicing and emptying
Filling the composter
Using the composter is simple. Cover the bottom with some 5 cm of coarse branch chips or twigs.
Regularly fill the composter with household waste a few times per week. Spread the household waste
evenly and always add drying agent in the amount of 50–100 per cent of the quantity of household
waste.
From the point of view of the compost function, it is important to add kitchen waste regularly and to
maintain proper humidity. The humidity level is right if you are able to squeeze a few drops of water
out of a handful of compost. If the compost is too dry, it must be watered. If the compost is too wet,
you must add drying agent. In addition to kitchen waste, the composter is also suitable for compost-
ing garden waste and post-composting dry toilet waste. You should cover toilet waste with desiccant,
when post-composting.
The compost should be mixed and turned every two weeks with an appropriate mixing stick to create
air passages. Once a month the compost should be mixed thoroughly and lightly covered with a desic-
cant mixture. When mixing the compost, make sure you do not break the compost mass holder that is
above the emptying hatch.
Emptying the composter
It is best to empty the composter in the spring or autumn when compost mulch is most needed. The
composter may also be emptied mid-season if it gets full, because the compost mass needs oxygen to
continue decomposing.
Empty the composter from the large lower hatch. If you use a shovel to empty the composter, take care
not to break the aeration part at the back of the compost mass. Use the handle to open and close the
hatch.
Using compost in the garden
You can use compost almost anywhere in the garden. However, compost containing toilet waste
should not be used in a kitchen garden. Compost mass is a very strong fertilizer. It binds moisture,
makes the soil more porous and adds nutrients. A well-functioning composter will provide half-decom-
posed mass after only a few weeks of use, and the compost can be used as mulch under shrubs, trees
or perennials.
Half-finished compost can also be used to improve soil in a kitchen garden during the autumn, for
example. If you mix compost into the garden soil during the spring, it should be fully decomposed,
brown matter of even quality. You can improve finished compost mass by mixing it with horticular peat.
Compost mass can be improved further by post-composting. The substance is ready for post-compost-
ing when it has completely lost the appearance of the original waste. Post-composting can be done in
another composter or a compost rack. An open compost heap should be covered to prevent nutrients
from washing away.
Compost soil is typically fully finished after 1–3 years, when all waste is decomposed into dark humus
of even quality. The temperature of fully decomposed compost mass has decreased close to the
temperature of the environment. Please bear in mind that even when fully decomposed, compost mass
cannot be used as a gardening bed as such, but should be mixed with peat and/or sand. We also
recommend mixing the gardening bed with nitrogen. Finished compost mass, well sieved, can be used
as a nutrient for grass.