I visited The Hotbin stand at the Chelsea Flower Show and I was reminded that I needed more wood chippings as my very busy worms were not altogether happy with a rather boggy compost they were living... See more
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Review summary
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Great help and advice from the team at the Chelsea Flower show and purchased one when we got home. Delivered quickly, set up following the instructions and we are away, temps up in the green zone and... See more
Company replied
The HotBin was received quickly, though confusingly in two packages - the plinth first and the actual HotBin the next day. We have followed the guidance and are pleased with the result so far. Afte... See more
So far so good but too early to tell about results yet. The purchasing process was simple and delivery was very prompt with lots of helpful updates on progress of shipping. The instructions w... See more
Company details
Written by the company
HOTBIN is passionate about composting and getting more people to do it! With the HOTBIN range of hot composters more types of waste can be recycled more quickly into rich, peat-free compost. Reaching 40-60c, HOTBIN uses hot composting methods to help to recycle more types of home and garden waste into compost and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. No turning or tumbling required. Designed and made in the UK.
HOTBIN Brand Promise
Written by the company
- We're committed to support you
- At HOTBIN, our promise is simple: if you have enough waste, there is no reason you cannot successfully hot compost with HOTBIN. We’re not just selling you a bin, we’re here to help you turn food and garden waste into rich, usable compost, confidently and consistently. Our dedicated customer support line is available 5 days a week, ready to guide you through every stage, from first setup and getting the temperature up, to troubleshooting and fine-tuning your routine. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced composter, we’ll support you with clear, practical advice until you are satisfied you are up and running. If you ever feel stuck, unsure, or just want reassurance that you’re on the right track, please call our free phone number 0808 168 8499. With HOTBIN, you’re not on your own we’re here to help.
Contact info
Spennymoor, United Kingdom
- 08081688499
- help@hotbincomposting.com
- www.hotbincomposting.com
4.6
Excellent
815 reviews
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Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
We’re delighted to hear you’re pleased with both the service and the product.
If you ever need any guidance or tips as you get the most out of your HOTBIN, we’re always here to help.
The HOTBIN Team
Great composters
My first HOTBIN composter that I've had for a few years had been so good in producing excellent compost in short timescales that I've just bought my second HOTBIN. They are proving to be one of the best pieces of gardening equipment I've ever owned!
5 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback.
It’s fantastic to hear that your first HOTBIN has served you so well over the years, producing great compost quickly is exactly what we aim for. We’re genuinely delighted that you’ve chosen to add a second HOTBIN to your garden.
Happy HOTBIN composting and thank you for being such a loyal HOTBIN user.
The HOTBIN Team
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
It's great to hear your HOTBIN arrived as promised and that you’re pleased with the product so far.
If you ever need any tips or support as you get started, we’re always here to help.
Happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
Bin arrived on time and looks very…
Bin arrived on time and looks very good. Ready assembled and came with copious instructions for generating compost. Too early to say whether it functions as intended, time will tell.
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for sharing your first impressions.
We’re delighted to hear your HOTBIN arrived on time, looking good, and ready to go straight out of the box. It’s great that the instructions were clear and helpful as you get started on your composting journey.
You’re absolutely right that the real test comes with a bit of time, and we hope you’ll see the results you’re looking for.
If any questions pop up along the way or you’d like a few tips to keep things running smoothly, we’re always here to help.
Wishing you many successful batches of HOTBIN compost ahead.
The HOTBIN Team
So Far Very Good!
Fairly fast delivery, easy to put together and unobtrusive in the garden. Early days yet to comment on efficiency due to the cold weather but last week it got up to 90 degrees and I can smell action in the hot bin! Pleasant smell that is.
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It’s great to hear your HOTBIN arrived quickly and was easy to set up.
We’re delighted you’re noticing that warm, earthy “composting in action” aroma. That’s exactly what a healthy HOTBIN should smell like. 90 degrees in the colder weather is a promising sign. Make sure you are reading the temperature in Celsius and not Fahrenheit.
If you ever have questions as things progress or want tips for keeping the heat up, we’re always here to help 0808 168 8499 or help@hotbincomposting.com.
Enjoy watching your HOTBIN come to life in the garden!
The HOTBIN Team
Cold bin!
the ordering process and delivery is quick but I am not impressed with the item itself. Definitely more cold bin than hot bin.
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your positive feedback about the ordering and delivery process. We’re really sorry to hear your struggle with the product itself and understand how frustrating it must be if it isn't performing as expected.
A HOTBIN should reach temperatures of 40–60°C, so if it’s staying cool, there’s usually a simple reason behind it that we can help fix. In most cases, it comes down to a balance of inputs (for example, not enough “greens”/nitrogen-rich waste), moisture levels, or how the material is layered and broken down. The good news is that these are all quick to adjust and can make a big difference within a few days.
We’d really like to help you get the results you were expecting so please contact our support team for guidance freephone on 0808 1688499 or drop us an email via our website. We will be happy to talk through what’s currently going into your bin and help you get it heating up properly.
Thanks for your feedback, and we hope we can turn your experience around.
HOTBIN Team
The service has been fine but it is a…
The service has been fine but it is a bit too soon to say whether the product is working as promised
5 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re pleased to hear that the service has been good so far. We completely understand that it may take a little longer to fully assess how well the product performs. Please feel free to update your review as you continue using it.
If you have any questions or need support in the meantime, our team is always here to help.
Freephone 0808 168 8499
Email help@hotbincomposting.com
Happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
My experience as up an 87 year old man is…
My experience as an 87 year old man is the lack of information as to the filling of the bin, as I have a lot of waste food from my hotel + garden waste & wood chipping. & newspaper
The waste food is wet.
9 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
The HOTBIN can deal with a wide range of waste and there is not much it will not compost.
You should have received a user guide with your purchase - please confirm if this was missing and our customer support team can get this sent to you. They will also be able to help with any queries you have regarding what types of waste you can add to your HOTBIN.
Freephone 0808 168 8499
Email help@hotbincomposting.com
The HOTBIN Team
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
Fantastic news that your HOTBIN was delivered quickly.
When empty it is surprisingly lightweight and easy to manoeuvre - not so much when it's full of compost though.
Hope you have your first batch of compost ready soon.
The HOTBIN Team
Seems like a well designed bin
Seems like a well designed bin. Came with a handy leaflet with all the information you need to get started, so no need to go looking on a website. Already getting plenty of liquid feed after just over a month.
24 February 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank your for your review.
It's great to hear that you found the HOTBIN user guide helpful to get you started.
We wish you happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
My new thermometer arrived quickly
6 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
Great to hear that you received your thermometer quickly.
Happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
Great product
Great product. The Hot Composter really does generate a surprising amount of heat which helps to breakdown the compost. It is still too early to say how quick it produces the required compost but with the heat it generates I am sure it is doing the job much quicker than conventional composters
24 February 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thanks for the great review! We’re so pleased you’re seeing that “wow” heat effect already, it’s a key part of why HOTBIN breaks waste down faster than conventional composters.
You’re right that it can be a little early to judge the finished compost, but if the heat is building and staying up, you’re absolutely on the right track. Keep it topped up little and often with a greens/browns balance, and you should start to see good results after 90 days. Happy hot composting!
Destroyed by Foxes
Purchased under two years ago. Now entirely dysfunctional. Heat mechanism never worked well despite repeated attention to layering of compost with cardboard and reinserting hot water bottle. After only year, the foxes had ravaged the thermal dials out of the lid and started to attack the sides. Should be clad in ply wood box to protect from Foxes. Very disappointed.
7 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
I’m really sorry to read this, especially as you’ve had it under two years and it’s left you unable to use it.
Fox damage to the lid/dial and side panels isn’t something we want any customer dealing with, and it’s also not the experience we expect in terms of getting up to temperature when the setup is right.
If you’re happy to, please contact our customer support team with your order number, photos of the damage (lid/dial area and sides), and a quick note on what you’ve been adding. We’ll review what’s happened and advise on the best route to get you back up and running, if possible. We can also communicate practical steps to deter repeat damage (positioning, base, and simple protective precautions).
Top Tips:
Don’t “lasagne layer” - HOTBIN works best when materials aren't isolated in layers, lightly stir fresh waste into the top of the heap.
Using cardboard: Use shredded or finely torn up paper/cardboard as your “brown” to soak up moisture and keep airflow in the mix (avoid layering with big, intact sheets). Pair it with some woodchip/prunings if possible.
Use of the hot water bottle: Only use it when there’s plenty of easy-to-digest waste already in the bin and the internal temperature is below 15°C. Fill with hot/boiling water, bury it in the top layer, close the lid and don’t open for 24 hours before checking again.
Too early to give an opinion.
Hotbin instructions say the compost may be harvested from 30 days (mulch) to 90 days (rich compost). How can I give you five stars until I have seen the results?
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Hi there,
The 30–90 day guidance is a typical range once the HOTBIN is up to temperature and you’ve built a good “active” heap, but every garden (and every mix of waste) is different.
For your first HOTBIN compost harvest we would recommend waiting 90 days from when you first see 40°C on the internal thermometer. You can always come back and edit your review once you have seen the results of your composting efforts. Good luck, and if you need any help please visit the Support pages on the HOTBIN website.
Happy Composting 🙂
The bin looks good and works well.
The bin looks good and works well.
But I had a problem with a rat eating the bottom of the bin which now leaks. The small print when I received the bin mentioned this, but it might have been helpful to know this could be a problem in advance. The outside of the bin is not as robust as I would expect for the price.
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thanks for your review we’re pleased to hear the bin looks good and is working well, but we’re genuinely sorry to hear about the damage.
You’re right to flag this. As with most composters, rodents can sometimes cause issues if they’re attracted by food-rich areas. HOTBIN's fully sealed design and odour filter address this to prevent odours and any interest from pests.
If you’re happy to, please get in touch with our customer support team with your order details and a couple of photos of the damage. We’ll advise on the best fix (and the steps to help prevent a repeat), so you can get back up and running as quickly as possible.
The key things are to not add any cooked food waste until the heap is over 40°C, ensure you don't drop any food waste near the bin. And to double check the lid and front hatch are sealed shut.
Ordering and delivery were excellent
Ordering and delivery were excellent. I am very new to this method having previously composted in open crates with great success. What I would have liked is a comprehensive list of things to put in the bin. I am using my initiative at present. I am now almost up to where I have to put the hot water bottle in.
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thanks so much for your review, happy to hear the ordering and delivery were spot on.
Completely understand the ask on a clearer “what can I put in?” list, especially if you’re moving over from open crates. You’re doing the right thing using your initiative, but if you’d like a simple rule of thumb: most kitchen scraps and garden clippings are fine, just keep a good balance of “greens” (wet) and “browns” (dry) so it stays hot and airy. Balance food waste with items, shredded paper.
There are some great resources on the HOTBIN website if you click on the Support Link > Then Get composting. Also check out the Download Centre under the Support Link.
Or you can speak directly with with a member of the team via our free phone number. Hope this helps!
PS You only need to use the bottle when the internal temperature of the HOTBIN is below 15°c, and the bin is half full, this helps to give the temperature a quick 24hr boost. Do get in touch if you need any further support.
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
We are delighted to hear that your purchasing experience was positive and that our instructions are easy to follow.
Happy HOTBIN Composting to you.
The HOTBIN Team
Prompt delivery, good condition.
The bin arrived promptly and in good condition. Good instructions and easy to assemble and start off.
3 March 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
We are delighted to hear that your HOTBIN arrived promptly and you are already on your HOTBIN Composting journey.
Wishing you Happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
My new hotbin is WONDERFUL!
My new hotbin is WONDERFUL!
I transferred some compost from an old style composter and already see the difference. It took only a few days to reach 55degrees.
Great service from suppliers.
26 February 2026
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
So great to hear that you are already experiencing hot composting temperatures with your new HOTBIN. We do try to give the best service we can so thank you for noticing this too.
Happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
Reply from HOTBIN Composting
Thank you for your review.
We are delighted to hear of your positive purchasing experience.
Happy HOTBIN Composting
The HOTBIN Team
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