THE PRODUCT
The set comes with 2 large plastic pails, with one partially inside the other. I bought 2 sets for ₱1,700 since one will be untouchable while waiting for fermentation.
The top pail comes with its cover.
The bottom pail has a plastic faucet used to drain leachate (the acidic byproduct of this composting process).
It also comes with Bokashi bran (blue cap) and molasses (red cap).
Bokashi composting relies on microbes found in the Bokashi Bran to decompose and aid in the fermentation process of household organic waste, which put in a closed container. I will detail the composting process in another post, but in summary, it’s basically:
- Collecting compost in a separate container and mixing in the bokashi brand and molasses
- Once the separate container is full: transferring this to the bucket, as a layer. 1 layer is made of: paper-compost-bokashi bran-molasses
- Layering in the bucket until full.
- Once full, letting it ferment for some weeks.
- Transferring contents to your garden, covered in soil. Waiting a few weeks.
- Using the mix as planting medium
Buying Guide
There are a number of composting methods that I considered:
- Compost Bin: needs open air and moisture (compost needs to be turned every now and then) and needs a good mixture of carbon and nitrogen. Takes around 6 months. Exposed, so smell is an issue, and space is needed.
- Bokashi Composting: needs the anaerobic (not exposed to sunlight or open air: no oxygen) environment. Dependent on Bokashi bran (has the microbes) and molasses. Takes 1 to 3 months. Can take in most household organic waste. Everything is sealed.
- Worm Bin: needs the worms and the specific environment for the worms (not too cold, not too damp, not exposed to sunlight). Selective about which organic waste to put in. Exposed, so smell is an issue. My friend gave up on this method because the worms would escape and be all over his apartment due to the environment not being suited for the worms. Lice (the kind that decomposes waste) also tend to get attracted to the worm bin, so if you are a bit squeamish, this might not be for you.
So in summary, I chose Bokashi because I did not have space for a compost bin and didn’t want complication of maintain worms. Bokashi does come with quite a process, but it is manageable.
ANG OKAY
Almost all of the organic waste my household produces can go in (with the exception of eggshells). The pails are sealed so I have no issues with smells or flies. The bokashi bran and molasses are cheap, and so far, I’m still on my first purchase. I also have a steady source of fertilizer and my trash no longer attracts flies because there is no organic waste.
ANG HINDI OKAY
Composting in general is a process so it adds a few seconds every time you cook or wash dishes, but this is something I accept since it helps save the environment. The tubs are quite big, but they do fit under the sink.
VERDICT:
■■■■ Good buy
A bit biased here, but really an easy way to reduce my garbage while producing fertilizer for my plants is a good buy. I don’t have to worry about maintaining worms, or having exposed compost that may attract flies and just smell bad.
Link: https://neartail.com/ph/bokashipinoyonlineshop