JK270 Home Composter

These are typical results from the JK 125/270.  We produced this during the winter when temperatures got down to below 20^oF. It took us about 4 weeks to fill one compartment, which was then 'maturing' for a further 4 weeks while the other was filled - a total of 8 weeks from starting to fill with kitchen waste into its transformation into the material you see above. During the summer the process will only take about 6 weeks.  This compost needs no further finishing and can be applied directly onto the garden as a soil improver or mulch.  It has the same nutritional value as cow manure.

Note that the machines are delivered flat-packed (like all things Swedish!) but are not difficult to assemble.  Download the assembly instructions here:

To give you a good idea of the relative sizes, here is a side-by-side comparison of the JK 125 and JK 270.

In fact, anything biodegradable - even pet waste, e.g. your rabbit or hamster bedding.

In addition to the waste, which has a high nitrogen content, a source of carbon must be added to provide an energy source for the microorganisms. This is done by adding sawdust or wood pellets (which are simply compressed sawdust) when adding the waste. Add woodpellets in the ratio of 10:1 (waste to pellets) by volume. Add sawdust in the ratio of 3:1 waste to sawdust. The sawdust/wood pellets also absorb moisture, keeping the mixture relatively dry. Wood shavings are not as successful as they do not absorb the moisture to the same degree as sawdust or pellets. Coir (coconut fibre) can also be used, as can dry, chopped straw.

Note to cat owners: wood pellets are also available as cat litter, so this is an excellent environmentally-friendly way of disposing of your cat waste!

It will take somewhere in the region of 6 to 8 weeks for each chamber from starting to fill to production of compost - so once both chambers are in operation you should be emptying one chamber every 3-4 weeks or so.

For detailed operating instructions, download the here or  from the drop-down menu at the top of each page.

The JK 125/270 composter will accept all organic waste generated by a regular household:

The JK 125/270 is sited off the ground so there is no possibility of rodents or other pests gaining access to the waste in the machine.

The JK125/270 is divided into two compartments. One is being filled while the compost in the other matures. Once the compartment being filled can take no more, the mature compost is emptied from the other compartment, and the cycle begins again.

You can see from the photo that it's time to empty the mature compost from the left-hand compartment and start filling it again, leaving the right-hand compartment to continue composting to maturity (a metal plate is supplied to blank off the just-filled compartment so you only empty the mature side!).

The composting process generates heat, and the different micro-organisms start working at different temperatures. The insulation in the JK125/270 composter allows the temperature to rise higher than 160^oF (70^oC), resulting in the quickest and most efficient composting of your organic kitchen waste.  At these temperatures the process is so rapid that fresh waste starts to break down before it has a chance to rot and attract vermin and flies. 

Because of its integral insulation, the JK125/270 will continue working through winter, long after other composters have stopped completely.

Regular mixing is necessary for successful composting for two reasons:

With a JK125 or JK270 composter, you don't have to be a gardener to be able to produce your own nutritious compost. The JK125/270 lets you make perfect compost from your kitchen waste hygienically and quickly, with the minimum of fuss and mess.