Our Bokashi bin sits discreetly in the corner of our kitchen. Once we are preparing food regularly at home it can take a couple of weeks to fill up. We then set it aside and start another bin. While most bokashi bins aren’t particularly expensive. They can last several years and don’t need any major maintenance. If you are wondering what is bokashi then you should probably read this article and then come back to this one. However, if you are wondering how to build your own, DIY bokashi bin, then you’re in the right place.
Table of Contents
Bokashi Bin Principles
Before we dive into the DIY bokashi bin steps I wanted to first address some of the principles and highlight the features you need to have. That way you can easily substitute some of the materials on our list for something else that may be more easily available. Some key things to consider when making your bokashi bin are:
- An air tight seal. Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process. Your DIY bokashi bin needs to ensure air doesn’t get in. This can mean changing standard container covers and sealing gaps in as things are joined together
- Easy to open. When designing your system it should be easy to open. Most people need to open their bokashi bin every day or every other day. If it isn’t easy to use and you have to fight to open and close it regularly, you will stop using it.
- Allow the excess liquid to drain off. As your waste breaks down you will need to be able to remove the liquid from the bucket without disrupting the system and letting air in.
- Liquid reservoir. There needs to be a gap between the fermenting food waste and the bokashi tea coming out of the system. Your food waste shouldn’t be left to sit in the liquid.
- Compact. Most households would prefer something that can easily be stored under the kitchen sink. Also the larger the bokashi bin, the longer it is going to take to fill up.
- Cheaper than the commercial options. While DIY projects are fun most times it’s also done to save money. Bokashi bins aren’t particularly expensive but if you have the right materials around you can put one together for almost free.
How to make a DIY Bokashi Bucket with spigot
One of the most common bokashi bin setups involves using two buckets and a spigot. To make your DIY bokashi bucket with spigot you will need the following:
AirTight Lid | Spiggot | 5 Gallon Bucket | Inner Tube | Glue |
DIY Bokashi Bucket with spigot Instructions
For this set up one bucket is going to be fitted inside of the other with the bicycle tube being used to create an airtight seal between the two buckets. As both buckets need to be the same size it doesn’t matter which is the inner or which is the outer bucket. Just something to keep in mind while following the instructions.
Inner bucket
Step 1: Insert the drainage holes
Using a drill put holes at the bottom of the 5-gallon bucket. The holes should be large enough for the bokashi tea to pass through but not so large that food waste will also slip through. 25 to 50 holes should suffice.
Step 2: Put on the airtight lid
The outer ring of the gamma seal is meant to go around the outside of the bucket. It can be a bit difficult to secure. You will know it is on properly when it lines up perfectly with the bottom of the bucket.
Outer bucket
Step 3: Attach the spigot
Drill a hole of the appropriate size for the spigot you are using. If your bokashi bucket will be lifted off the ground you can make the hole as low as possible. If you intend to use the bucket on the floor you would need to ensure the hole is high enough to use the spigot but not so high that it won’t allow the inner bucket to go down as far as possible.
There should be a washer on both sides to ensure the liquid won’t leak. Attach the spigot and test the seal.
Step 4: Attach the rubber tubing
Using a sharp knife cut the tube open. Cut along the length of the tube. Measure the tube along the rim of the bucket. The length of the tube should cover the rim of the bucket. If necessary, trim off any excess. Glue the tube to the rim of the bucket.
Assembly
Step 5: Putting it all together
Put the inner bucket in the outer bucket. Push the inner bucket down as far as it will go to create an airtight seal.
Final Thoughts
That’s it. Now you have your homemade DIY bokashi bucket with spigot. Make sure to test the outer bucket for leaks by filling it with water before you start using it for bokashi composting. If you need the step by step instructions on how to use your bokashi bin you can check out this article. If you have any questions on bokashi composting we’ve probably covered them here. Now that you’ve made your bokashi bin you may want to go even further and make your own bokashi bran. It is also fairly easy to make at home, it just takes some time to ferment it. I’d also be curious to know if you prefer to make your bokashi bucket yourself or just buy it? Let us know in the comments. If you haven’t already please consider subscribing to our mailing list so we can stay connected.
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