Help Topics

Instructional Videos

Composting 101
Getting to know your NatureMill
Everyday Usage

Instruction manual
Size and weight
Capacity & when to add waste
Automatic mixing
Tips for making great compost
Removing finished compost

I'm a first-time user. What should I expect?
How do I balance my compost to eliminate odors?
How do I use the MODE selector button?
How do I transfer the compost into the lower mixing chamber?
What is the WAIT light and FULL light used for?
How do I get more sawdust pellets?
Where is the filter?
Do you have any general composting tips?

Unit is not mixing or the motor is stuck
Compost is not transferring to the lower cure tray
Compost is too wet or too dry
Power is not working, or lights are flickering
Jam light is on
How to order spare parts
More information

INTSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS

Composting 101
Getting to know your NatureMill
Everyday Usage

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Download Instruction manuals here: http://www.naturemill.com/help_instructions.html

NatureMill is 20 " high x 20" deep x 12" wide (51 x 51 x 30 cm). It fits inside most kitchen cabinets. The empty weight is 17 lbs (8 kg).

NatureMill is suitable for a typical family of five, or for a single individual living alone.  It really depends on your eating and cooking habits.  Add as much as 5 lbs (2.3kg) in any one day, and up to 120 lbs (55kg) per month.

You can add waste items at any time, on any day.  Processing is continuous and automatic. Seventy percent of the waste material disappears into thin air -- literally -- as the compost cultures break down the waste and turn it into water vapor which dissipates away.

NatureMill takes care of mixing for you. There is no manual labor required.  A small electrical motor mixes the compost, which breaks up clumps, compacts the waste, and improves air flow.  The computer controller determines the frequency and duration of mixing.  Periodically you may hear the motor turn. 

Different people have different opinions about how to make great compost.  We have conducted extensive research specifically on our automatic compost machine, including chemical analysis of finished compost and thermal monitoring of controlled samples.  Here are the most important points we have come up with:

• Add more "brown" waste items, especially sawdust or sawdust pellets.  Four handfulls at the start of each cycle will make a big difference.  Other "brown" items include small leaves, grains, pasta, rice, etc.Kitchen waste is very high in nitrogen which could result in an ammonia smell. 
• Add two tablespoons of baking soda. This reduces the natural acidity found in most foods.
  
• Read the instructions!  It is important to follow all the simple steps there.
  
• Poke through your finished compost with a hand trowel.  If you notice anything unusual, make the appropriate changes in future batches.  You may find that some items are not biodegradable.  We have found that certain tea bags, while they look like paper, are actually made of plastic mesh.  Excessive liquid or unusual smells are also things to fix.  See the "What can go wrong" section. 
  
• Chop items into the smallest size that is convenient for you.  This will provide the maximum compost energy and produce the best quality.  Do not pulverize in a food processor though, as this can create sludge. 
  
• Discuss composting with other members of your household.  If one person doesn't understand what items to add or how to chop them up, this could create problems down the road. 
  

Remove your rich, organic fertilizer roughly twice per month, depending on actual usage. A red indicator light will tell you when.  You will save garbage-emptying trips, since your regular kitchen trash will diminish in quantity and odors. Seventy percent or more of the initial waste material disappears into thin air - literally - as the compost cultures break down the waste material and produce pure water vapor which dissipates away.

1. When the indicator light comes on, open the cure door, and remove the red compost tray. Leave the unit plugged in - this will keep the fan and filter on. Close the side door to reduce odors.
2. Pour any liquid from the drip tray down the sink drain and rinse.
3. Dump the compost tray upside down to remove all the compost. We recommend that you do this outside to avoid any odors.
4. Rinse the compost tray with a garden hose or sink faucet. It is not necessary to scrub or soak the trays. Never use soap or chemicals.
5. Reinsert the cure tray and drip tray back into the NatureMill unit.  Be sure the drip tray is at the far end of the cure tray. 
   
6. Close the side door tightly. 
   
7. Press the OK button to resume normal use.
8. Now examine the finished compost for quality: f
   • If it is dripping wet or saturated, you may have added too much soggy material. Try to add less of this in the future.
   • If it is dried out, add more soggy material or a few ounces of water in the future.
   • Poke the compost with a garden tool. If you recognize any waste materials in the final compost, try to add fewer of these materials in the future or cut them into smaller pieces.
   • If it has an ammonia smell, you may need to add more brown material in the future.
     

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

To get started follow the instructions outlined in the quick guide:http://www.naturemill.com/downloads/full_instructions.pdf

After you review the quick guide, plug the unit in and make sure it is in Regular Mode. The motor will mix every 4 hours for approximately 7-8 minutes. You may hear whirring and snapping sounds, and the hum of the air pump. The unit will become nearly quiet once it heats up and breaks in, after about 1-2 weeks. When you plug the unit in for first-time use, the unit will not mix until 4 hours after you plug it in. Please watch this video on normal operation of your NatureMill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx-c3OKTGwo&feature=channel

How do I balance my compost to eliminate odors?

Under normal operation, the machine will produce no trash odors. This is because the air pump is always on, providing oxygen to the compost cultures. The air filter removes any lingering odors. The compost material will have a mild "organic" aroma similar to fresh cut grass or sourdough bread - this is normal.

STRONG ODORS will result from broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, and mustard greens. This family of vegetables contains a sulphur compound which does not break down easily. Even a few small pieces can cause odors. Avoid these items or keep your composter outdoors. Other foods are ok, such as asparagus, spinach, meats, fish, and even garlic and onions.

If you sense any other odors, try the following:

1. Please re-read the quick guide, compost guide, and instructions: http://www.naturemill.com/downloads/full_instructions.pdf
   
2. Add more "brown" material. We recommend sawdust pellets. We recommend one cup for every 5 cups of food waste at the start of each batch, and more if odors develop. A one-month supply is included with new units. You can re-order sawdust at http://www.naturemill.com/pellets.html, or purchase from most local landscape supply stores.
3. Add more baking soda. This neutralizes the natural acidity of most foods. We recommend one tablespoons at the start of each batch, and more if odors develop.
4. Reduce moisture. Try to add fewer wet items, more dry items, and drip-dry all items before adding. Water very often can block oxygen flow.
5. Avoid paper. Some paper may have chemicals that cause odors.
6. Limit or avoid highly acidic items, including lemon, lime, grapefruit, pineapple, oranges, tomatoes, grapes, berries, etc.
7. Be sure the lid and door are closed tightly at all times. Wipe the seal areas if they are dirty.
8. Be sure the unit is plugged in at all times, with the Power light on, the air pump humming, and heat easily detected in the mixing chamber.

How do I use the MODE selector button?

Firmly press the selector button to change modes (shown below).

Below are descriptions of the available modes.

Regular mode: intended for every day composting, with moderate mixing, heat, and airflow rate. Use this mode to establish the cultures during the first time use.

Energy Save mode: reduces energy consumption by 75%. Use this if you add items infrequently, or during a vacation. Use this mode if your compost is often dried out in Regular mode. Do not use Energy Save mode for regular loads as the compost will not be fully processed and may develop trash odors.

Heavy Duty mode: available on select models only. This mode increases the mixing process for extra heavy loads, but may increase noise level and wear and tear. It is not recommended to leave this mode on all the time as the food waste will get over processed.

Temporary Heavy Duty mode: intended for a one-time heavy load. Firmly press the selector button again, until the Heavy Duty light blinks slowly. The machine will return to regular mode automatically after 18 hours.

How do I transfer the compost into the lower mixing chamber?

PLEASE wait until the compost is up to the max-fill line located on the back wall of the mixing chamber, and food waste items are unrecognizable. Then firmly press the OK button to transfer compost to the lower tray. If the WAIT light comes on, wait up to 48 hours while the compost process finishes. If you simply need to override the WAIT button firmly press the OK button for 5-7 seconds and the unit will reset and the green power light will be on and steady.

After you press the OK button, the motor will go into a final mixing cycle and then it will reverse directions for several minutes, pushing against the mixing bar to open the trapdoor. The compost will fall down into the bottom cure tray below, where it will continue to compost and dry out for several days or weeks. Finally, the motor will reverse again and close the trapdoor. The entire process takes about 15 minutes. If you have more questions please refer to the instruction Step 2 for more information about this process. Please click here to watch a video of the complete transfer process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjoo3AY_5DU

What is the WAIT light and FULL light used for?

WAIT LIGHT
The wait light will come on if you have pressed the OK button 2 times within a 48-hour time period. If you have pressed the OK button to do a transfer and the transfer was not successful then your trapdoor is stuck and you should follow the instructions in the technical support help page. If you simply need to override the WAIT button please firmly press the OK button for 5-7 seconds and the unit will reset and the green power light will be on and steady. Watch a video with instructions on the Wait/Full light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk99BuWsqvo

FULL LIGHT
If the FULL light is on and your bottom cure tray is not entirely full that is okay. The FULL light will come on every time you complete 2 successful transfers; as there is a computer sensor indicating you have pressed the OK button 2 times. If you wish to override the FULL light firmly press on the OK button for 5-7 seconds and reset your unit. The power light should be green and steady. Watch a video with instructions on the Wait/Full light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk99BuWsqvo

How do I get more sawdust pellets?

You can buy more sawdust pellets on this page: http://www.naturemill.com/pellets.html

Or, for FREE PELLETS, click on this link for more information: http://naturemill.com/free

Where is the filter?

Your new NatureMill comes standard with a filter already installed. It is located deep INSIDE the housing, and is NOT VISIBLE anywhere. The photo below shows the filter, with the filter cover removed.

You do not need to replace the filter for about 5 years. To remove the filter, push the cover out from the inside of the machine. Then use a pliers to pull the filter out of the machine.

Pictured to the right is the filter, as seen from the back of the machine, with the filter cover removed.

Do you have any general composting tips?

Different people have different opinions about how to make great compost. We have conducted extensive research specifically on our automatic compost machine, including chemical analysis of finished compost and thermal monitoring of controlled samples. Here are the most important points we have come up with:

• Add more "brown" waste items, especially sawdust pellets. Please refer to you quick guide for instructions. Other "brown" items include small leaves, grains, pasta, rice, etc. Kitchen waste is very high in nitrogen that could result in an ammonia smell.
• Add one tablespoon of baking soda. This reduces the natural acidity found in most foods.
• Read the instructions! It is important to follow all the simple steps there.
• Poke through your finished compost with a hand trowel. If you notice anything unusual, make the appropriate changes in future batches. You may find that some items are not biodegradable. We have found that certain tea bags, while they look like paper, are actually made of plastic mesh. Excessive liquid or unusual smells are also things to fix. See the "What can go wrong" section.
• Chop items into the smallest size that is convenient for you. This will provide the maximum compost energy and produce the best quality. Do not pulverize in a food processor though, as this can create sludge.
• Discuss composting with other members of your household. If one person doesn't understand what items to add or how to chop them up, this could create problems down the road. You may want to designate one person as the keeper of the composter to reduce problems.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If your motor stops turning or gets stuck, you may have overfilled the mixing chamber or put something hard or fibrous in the mixing chamber.

Follow the steps below to help fix the issue:

• Remove any hard and fibrous items from the mixing chamber
• Make sure that the mixing chamber is not overfull

If your compost is not transferring to the red cure your trap door is a little stuck. This can happen if it is heavily weighted down with wet, sticky compost, or if the trap door is out of alignment. In most cases the jam light will not come on. Luckily, it is easy to fix:

• Remove any obvious large waste items, or overloaded compost that may be blocking or overloading the trap door. Then try to transfer again. (If the wait light comes on, hold the OK button for 5 seconds to override the wait.)
• Be sure the red cure tray is empty. If it is full, the compost will have no place to drop down to, and it will back up in the mixing chamber even if the trap door opens. Then empty the cure tray outdoors and try to transfer again. (If the wait light comes on, hold the OK button for 5 seconds to override the wait.)
• You should be able to push on the right hand side of your trapdoor and move the trapdoor manually. If you cannot please look at the left hand side of the trapdoor it is possible that the left hand side of the trapdoor could be stuck in the housing. This is easy to fix. Please take some needle nose pliers and pull the left hand side of the trapdoor up towards you. This should loosen anything that is stuck under the trapdoor and you should be able to push on the right hand side of the trapdoor and manually open.

If your compost is too wet and heavy, it can create odors and destroy the cultures. Wetness occurs when you put too much green items in the upper mixing chamber. Green items are vegetables such as lettuce and celery which are primarily made out of water. To fix this issue, please add 1 cup of pellets and allow your unit to sit, without adding any further food scraps for 24 hours. This will help balance your green and brown ratios and absorb any excess liquid. If the issue is not fixed within 24 hours please repeat the above step until it is.

If your compost is too dry, then you have added too much brown items. This can lead to odors, destroying the cultures, and the trapdoor being stuck.

Healthy compost is spongy, moist, and warm, and should have a mild "organic" aroma similar to fresh cut grass or sourdough bread - this is normal.

Lastly, it is helpful if you occasionally clean the areas around your trapdoor with a rubber spatula to make sure that there is no compost drying out along the sides of the trapdoor or underneath the trapdoor.

In the future, please follow the instructions outlined in the quick guide:
http://www.naturemill.com/downloads/full_instructions.pdf

Please see the picture to the right to reference what your compost should look like in the upper mixing chamber.

Perform a "full reset" as follows:

• If your unit has a mode selector button (with an up and down arrow): press and hold it for 5 seconds until the lights blink. Your unit is now reset. IGNORE the rest of the instructions.
• unplug the unit
• press and hold the OK button down
• plug in the machine, and continue to hold the OK button for 5 seconds
• when all the lights start flashing, let go of the OK button
• your unit is now reset, and should be fully functional

If you follow the instructions carefully, the jam light should rarely come on. Jams are caused when large or hard or fiborous items are placed in the machine, or if the mixing chamber is compressed and overloaded. In the rare event that the jam light comes on, follow these instructions:

1. Wait 24 hours. Possibly the jam will resolve itself as the mixing chamber heats up and any tough waste material further decomposes. Then, if the jam light is still on, press the OK button and the machine will try to clear the jam.
2. If the machine is mostly or completely empty, jiggle the mixing bar to be sure it is slightly loose. Apply a few drops of olive oil to the two latches, which are located at the front and back of the mixing chamber, where they hit the mixing bar.
3. If the upper trap door is open (you can see down into the center of the machine) AND the mixing bar is pressing against the top of the upper trap door: hold the OK button for 5 seconds and release. Ignore the rest of the instructions below and resume normal operation when the power light comes on.
4. Remove and discard whatever is causing the jam. It is probably something wedged between the metal mixing wand and the floor of the reactor. Look for a thick wad of paper, or a large and hard object such as a steak bone, corn cob, or peach pit.
5. Remove some waste material until the mixing chamber is mostly empty. Possibly the mixing chamber is just overloaded.
6. If the mixing chamber is very dry and crusted over with hardened sawdust, break up some of the hardened material, and then add some water to soften up the material.
7. In the future, try to avoid whatever material caused the jam. Be sure to tell others members of your household also.

If you need to order spare parts please follow the link below and you can order them directly from our website.

If you do not see the part that you need using the above link, please submit a trouble ticket to our customer service department at: http://www.naturemill.com/customerService.html. A representative will follow up with you within 1 business day. Your will need your name, address, phone number, email address, serial number, and where you purchased your unit from in order for customer service to resolve your issue.

MORE INFORMATION

Use in the kitchen, garage, or patio

NatureMill is meant to be used in the kitchen, garage, patio, or outdoor location.  Try to keep it as warm as possible because the compost cultures prefer heat.  A freezing cold garage in winter is acceptable, although it may slow the composting process somewhat.  The machine is well insulated and will have no problems with cold weather.  A small internal heater will kick in if temperatures become extremely cold.  Keep in a location that is between 32 and 120F (0-50C). 

It is ok to get the machine wet in the rain, but keep the power supply dry.  The unit requires a standard electrical outlet.  For outdoor locations, we recommend an "in-use" outdoor electrical power outlet, available at most hardware stores.

How does NatureMill prevent trash odors and bugs?

When used properly, NatureMill produces no trash odors.  You may sense a slight aroma of fresh cut grass or sourdough bread. This is because the computer-controlled environment inside the machine enables compost cultures to work quickly - before odors develop. The entire unit is tightly sealed, with an inner reactor chamber where the real work happens.  Compost cultures produce heat as a byproduct. Temperatures reach high enough to destroy insects and other unwanted pathogens.  A small fan draws air into the machine continuously, and out through a powerful air filter (included).

Composting in an apartment

You can definitely use NatureMill if you live in an apartment.  To use compost indoors, first let it cure and dry outdoors for several days or weeks.  This is because fresh compost material has an organic aroma and may attract beneficial insects.  These are natural and unavoidable properties of all compost.  (The machine itself, when used properly, produces no trash odors due to its sealed design and air filter). 

Can I keep NatureMill inside a cabinet or closet?

Yes. The unit just fits inside most standard kitchen cabinets. Please purchase the cabinet kit (on the Products page of our website). The unit is 20" high x 20" deep x 12" wide (51x51x12cm). Measure your cabinets to see if they are big enough.  Under a sink is not always a good place because the pipes generally get in the way, although a cabinet near the sink should work.  You will need an electrical outlet nearby.

Can I use NatureMill on a boat or RV?

Yes.  The unit itself runs on 12VDC (we provide an AC-to-DC transformer for our land-based customers). Assuming your vessel has a 12V DC system, you only need to wire power into the unit using standard connectors available at your local  marine or electronics store.  It draws 5-15 watts continuously.  Excessive motion could cause the drip tray to leak into the cure tray, but this will have only a minor impact on compost quality.  And of course, be sure you have a place to deposit the finished compost.  Remember that finished compost has an organic aroma and should not be used indoors, unless it has had several days or weeks to cure and dry. 

Compost is slightly moldy

Mold is normal, and is an indicator that the natural compost processes are happening. Most gardens are full of mold just below the soil surface. It is generally non-toxic, but please be sure to wash your hands just as you would after handling regular soil.

In some cases, increasing the "brown" content will balance out the chemistry of the compost and dry it out slightly, which will gradually reduce the amount and wetness of mold. Try adding some more sawdust.

What can go wrong

Healthy compost is spongy, moist, and warm, with an organic aroma like fresh cut grass, sourdough bread, or wet hay.  Strong foods like broccoli or garlic intensify odors.  Compost often spills into the white drip tray.  Surface mold is common. The bottom layer may have a strong odor if partially flooded.

• A strong "trash truck" odor means cultures were destroyed.  Material may be wet, cool, and light brown.  CAUSES: insufficient starting cultures or brown waste; flooding; cold location; soap or chemicals; unplugged power cord; excess acidic waste (berries, grapes, oranges, tomatoes, vinegar, pickles); any lemon, lime, grapefruit, or pineapple.  SOLUTION: Start by adding a few handfuls of "brown" material such as sawdust pellets, and two tablespoons of baking soda., and wait 24-48 hours.  If that doesn't do it: push the OK button to clear the reactor chamber; add two more cups (500 ml) of healthy soil; be sure the air pump is working with air flowing out the air exhaust tube on the back; add sufficient "brown" items; limit acidic items; review instructions and reference sheet.  Odor will cease after one or two cycles. 
  
• An pungent or ammonia odor (like commercial-strength floor cleaner) indicates insufficient  brown material.  This is common with food waste.  Add more sawdust pellets. 
• Flooding:  If the red cure tray contains liquid but compost looks healthy and dry on top, add less fruit, lettuce, and other wet items, or more dry items. Be sure the white drip tray is in position - see drawing. 
• Dryness:  If compost is dry and crunchy, with dry areas poorly composted, add more wet items (fruit, lettuce, etc.), or add 4oz (120ml) water in the future.
• Structure: Compost should be spongy and loose, like mulch.  If it is lumpy, add smaller, softer items in the future.  If you see large individual uncomposted items, avoid them or chop them smaller in the future.

How do I clean and maintain my NatureMill

DO NOT clean the inner reactor chamber, as this will destroy the compost cultures. NEVER use soaps or chemicals.

Wipe the exterior of the machine and the upper hopper with a damp paper towel.

If food waste is stuck to the walls of the mixing chamber, gently scrape it loose with a spoon.  Leave the loose material where it is - it will mix into the compost in the next mixing cycle. 

Remove any debris from the lip areas of the lid and side door.  Wipe the cure tray area if you see any stray compost particles or liquid.  Rinse the cure tray and drip tray with a garden hose when you empty them. 

No maintenance is required other than replacing the air filter annually or as needed. You can purchase a new air filter from us, or replenish the carbon granules yourself for less.

What about the drip tray?

The natural composting process produces water as a byproduct. Most of the water evaporates away. Some of it condenses and collects in the drip tray. Empty the drip tray when you empty the finished compost. This liquid is NOT compost tea.  It may be harmful.  There may also be chunks of compost in the drip tray - this is normal.  It is also possible that the drip tray is completely dry. 

The amount of liquid depends on the local humidity and the water content of the waste. Juicy items like melon, tomatoes, and lettuce have high water content, while sawdust, meat, and egg shells have low water content . Compost tea, in contrast, is made by mixing fully stabilized compost with water to create a liquid fertilizer.