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Please see naturemill.com/products for the latest update on availability. You can also locate the last email we sent you.  Click on the link in that email for up-to-the-minute tracking information. This is exactly the same data we have here in our database. 

If you only received one "order confirmation" email and it has no tracking number, that means we have NOT YET SHIPPED your order but we have it in our system. We generally ship within 1-2 business days but during peak times it can be longer.

If you cannot locate any emails we sent you, please check your spam folder. If you still can't find any email confirmations, then please send us an email with your name, address, email address, and approximate date of order. 

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Deposit almost any biodegradable materials, summarized in the chart below.  Cut or shred materials into small pieces to aid in composting.  Add a mix of "green" and "brown" items for best results.  All of this information is listed in the instructions.  Add a tablespoon of ordinary baking soda now and then to reduce normal food acidity. 

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. 

We have tested a number of commercially available cultures, but they are not as reliable as natural living soil.  Dried and processed cultures, while available at most garden stores, are often weakened due to temperature and moisture fluctuations in transit. 

Occasionally, the cultures in your NatureMill unit may become inactive if you abandon the machine for 6 months or more, or if you accidentally add citrus, pineapple, chemicals, or other harmful materials. In that case, just add another two cups (500 ml) of living soil to the machine.   As a precaution, you may want to add two cups of healthy soil each time you empty the cure tray.  That way, even it the cultures become inactive for whatever reason, there is always a supply of new cultures.  It can't hurt to add more. 

When used properly, NatureMill produces no odors.  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).

NatureMill is UL and CE compliant, and runs on very low electrical current.  There are no worms, flies, chemicals, grinders, high voltages, or scalding temperatures involved. The lower door is sealed tightly. The overall weight and height are such that a pet or small child cannot easily knock it over or otherwise tamper with it.  We have found that pets are generally not interested in compost.  For added security, you can keep NatureMill inside a cabinet, closet, garage, or covered porch.

As for the safety of the compost itself, the internal reactor chamber maintains a true "hot composting" temperature of 140F (60C) for several days.  This is no hotter than a dishwasher or a cup of coffee.  It is not hot enough to burn your skin, even if you were to pry open the reactor and place your hand in there for some time. The heat neutralizes pathogens such as E. coli and prevents seed germination.  When used properly, NatureMill exceeds US EPA "Part 503" guidelines for compost safety.  We believe NatureMill is the only compost machine, bin, tumbler, or other household device to produce compost which complies with EPA safety rules.  The cure tray is no more than 100F (38C) when you empty it - about as hot as a your own body temperature. 

To locate the air filter, click here. The filter plug is located above the word "FILTER" on the back of the machine. You can not see or touch the air filter without first removing the filter plug. Open the cure door, remove the red cure tray, and pop out the filter plug from the inside.

Replace the air filter approximately once every 5 years or as odors develop, depending on actual usage. You can purchase a replacement filter directly from NatureMill. 

If you prefer, you can replenish the air filter yourself. It takes a little more work, but it will save you a few dollars. Here's how to replenish the carbon granules yourself:

1. Buy some activated carbon. You can find it at any pet store in the fish isle -- the same carbon is used in aquarium filters.  Do not use ordinary charcoal from a BBQ grill because it is not "activated" and will not absorb odors effectively. 
   
2. Unplug the machine, remove the red cure tray, and pop out the air filter plug from the inside.
   
3. Unscrew the cap from the filter bottle and remove the round piece of  nylon mesh material if present - hold on to both of these. 
   
4. Pour out the spent carbon. The granules are compostable -- you can pour them right into the machine.
5. Refill with new carbon granules. Use a funnel, or make one by wrapping a sheet of paper into a cone shape.  This step can be messy if you are not careful. 
   
6. Replaced the round nylon mesh material as before (if present), and screw the lid back onto the filter bottle. 
   
7. Replace the filter back into the machine as before.
   
8. Reinsert the filter plug, plug the machine in, and resume normal operation.

Most of the energy required for healthy composting comes from the compost cultures themselves - they generate heat as they go about their work of consuming food waste. 

NatureMill will help you reduce the amount of regular (non-recycled) waste in your kitchen. Over time, you may find that you can use a smaller trash bin and reduce your overall waste bin clutter. We plan to offer matching and integrated trash and recycling bins to better organize clutter.  Check back with our website in the future. 

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).

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

• 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. 
  

• 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.

NatureMill is always on when plugged in, and is nearly silent most of the time. There is no power switch. You should hear the air pump.  The "Power" light should be on. Occasionally when the motor mixer turns on or the trap door opens, you may hear some motor sounds. If you do not hear the air pump and do not see any lights, be sure that the power supply is plugged into the wall AND connected to the back of the unit.  If you still can not get the unit to work, please send us an email for further assistance. 

Steam and heat rising from the machine are signs of vigorous compost activity.  Don't be surprised if nothing else seems to happen.  When you press the OK button, the computer may delay processing until 48 hours since the last cycle.  This is to ensure adequate composting time.  You may see the "wait" light come on.  Check back in a day or two.

Some models have an upper "hopper" section.  Please consult the instructions that came with you unit.  If it is full, push the OK button. This will trigger the computer to transfer the waste from the hopper into the reactor chamber. The transfer process takes about 15 minutes. The computer may delay cycling until 48 hours since the last cycle, to allow enough time for the last batch to compost in the reactor chamber. You can push the OK button sooner, but nothing will happen until the 48 hour mark. You may see the "wait" light flash briefly. 

If you wait more than 6 days to push the OK button, the computer will automatically transfer waste out of the hopper. This is to prevent odors in case you go on vacation and forget to press the OK button.

1. When the indicator light comes on, open the side door, and remove the red compost tray. Leave the unit plugged in - this will keep the fan and filter on. Close the side door immediately 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:
• 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.
  

Under normal operation, the machine will produce no odors. This is because the air pump is always on, providing oxygen to the compost cultures.  An air filter removes any lingering odors.  The final compost material will have a mild "organic" aroma when you remove it - this is normal.

If you sense any other odors, try the following:

1. Please re-read the instrucions.
2. Add more "brown" material. We recommend sawdust pelets. We recommend two handfuls at the start of each batch, and more if odors develop. A one month supply is included with new units. You can reorder these from us, or purchase from most local landscape supply stores. You can also get free sawdust from most lumber mills, carpenter shops, or home improvement centers. Be sure it is from untreated, unpainted wood.
3. Add more baking soda. This neutralizes the natural acidity of most foods. We recommend two 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 has chemicals which can 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.
9. Be sure you have added two cups of ordinary garden soil at the first use. This introduces natural cultures into the mixing chamber.
   
   
   

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.

The WAIT light comes on because material is being transferred from the hopper into the reactor. There may be odors inside the reactor chamber that will escape into the surrounding air. Do not open the lid or the side door. Wait a few minutes until the light goes off. The MIXING light comes on when the motor mixes the compost inside the reactor chamber. Mixing takes place for a few minutes each day. You do not need to do anything, and it is ok to open the lid or side door.

If you follow the instructions carefully, the jam light should never come on.  Jams are caused when large or hard items are placed in the machine, or if the hopper is compressed and overloaded.  In the rare event that the jam light comes on, you will need to remove whatever is causing the jam. Follow these instructions:

1. 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. 
   
2. Just press the OK button.  Check back in a few minutes to see if it jams again.  Sometimes this solves the problem and you can skip the rest of the steps. 
   
3. Open the trap door (the bottom of the hopper) by pushing down on the back of the trap door with a spoon.  You may need to first scoop out some material from the hopper if it is full. 
   
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. Gently close the trap door.
6. Press the OK button.
7. Wait by the machine for a minute to be sure the jam is really cleared. If the jam light comes on again, repeat the entire process. If you are still unable to clear the jam, contact customer service.
8. In the future, try to avoid whatever material caused the jam. Be sure to tell other members of your household also.

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.

NatureMill is meant to be used in the kitchen, right where food waste is generated.  This saves you the messy job of collecting and transporting organic material around the house. 

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.

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. 

GARDENING TIPS

Compost from your NatureMill is ready to use.  It will not be fully "cured," which means that the compost cultures continue to be active.  It may also have an organic aroma depending on what you put in the machine.  These conditions are normal and not a problem, although you should follow the below instructions carefully especially if you do not have prior experience using compost.  You can cure and dry the compost by leaving it in a outdoors for several days or weeks, in a small pile in the corner of your garden or in a bucket with a drain hole.  This will also reduce the organic aroma if you plan to use the compost on indoor potted plants. 

Use compost to fertilize your garden, lawn, trees, shrubs, or indoor potted plants.  You may want to first stir the compost with a hand trowel to break apart clumps and remove any unwanted materials.  You can also sift through a fine grain strainer for an aesthetically pleasing uniform particle size.

Spread a thin layer of compost over the soil, like mulch.  Nutrients are released gradually during watering and when you till the soil seasonally. Each cure tray is ample for 10-40 sq ft (1-4 sq m) applied once or twice per year.  You should NOT mix fresh compost into the soil unless you are an experienced gardener, because the high nitrogen concentration can harm sensitive roots.  Never place plants in pure compost. 

For more experienced gardeners, you can till fully stabilized compost into the top six inches of soil.  First test for cure completion.  If you are unsure about the level of curing, play it safe and use compost only on the surface of the soil. Any compost will be sufficiently cured by the time you till the soil or re-plant the following season.

You can add a layer of mulch on top of the compost, or use the compost itself as a kind of mulch. You can also sift the compost through a screen to make the particle size uniform (this is more for appearance than for function).

Read on for instructions on how to make "compost tea" liquid fertilizer....

Another way to use compost is to mix it with water to create "compost tea" liquid fertilizer. The liquid that collects in the drip tray inside the machine is not compost tea - that liquid is not suitable for plants and should be discarded. There are many opinions on how to make the perfect batch of compost tea and how to apply the tea to plants. These range from the complex and expensive "bubbling brew" pumped air technique, to the more humble "sock tea-bag" approach. A search on the Internet will reveal many interesting techniques.  We include here the simplest method:

Compost has many properties that can improve the soil in your garden.  One such property is pH, which is a measure of acidity.  Most plants grow best in soil with a neutral pH, between 6 and 8.  Fortunately, this is exactly the pH of healthy compost.  You can check with your garden center or in plant books as the to the ideal pH level for each type of plant.  And you can measure the pH level of your compost with inexpensive color strips, or electrical meters which you can buy online or in garden stores. 

NatureMill is designed to be used in the kitchen. It is really too small for yard waste.  Besides, you may not want to carry messy yard waste into your home.  From time to time, you may want to add a small amount (2 cups or 500 ml) of small dry leaves to increase the "brown" waste proportion. 

For larger amounts of leaves, grass clippings, and plant debris, we recommend that you use an ordinary compost pile or bin in your yard. An Internet search will reveal a great deal of useful information on backyard composting.  MasterComposter.com provides the best instructions we've seen.  Here are a few additional tips of our own:

1. Mix compost from your NatureMill with yard waste in your outdoor compost pile. The large number of compost cultures from your NatureMill will speed up the compost time for your compost pile.
2. Branches and thick vines do not compost quickly.  Chop them up for best results.  If you have many of them we recommend a power chipper. 
   
3. Reduce yard waste by leaving grass clippings right on the lawn. The "grass cycling" process replenishes nutrients right back into the lawn with the minimum amount of work. It is true that the clippings may be unattractive at first, but they will dry out within a few days and you will hardly notice them.

• Eliminate paper junk mail!  This will greatly cut down on waste, as well as wasted time sorting your mail.  Register online with the Direct Marketing Association here, or send a letter or postcard with your name, home address, and signature to:

• Practice the "3Rs" - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  The best way to cut down on waste is to eliminate it from the start.  Try to buy products with less packaging - bulk items generally have less packaging per serving.  Ask store clerks for minimal packaging and fewer shopping bags. 
• Write to your local and national representatives.  An impressive number of laws and initiatives are being considered everywhere to reduce waste and improve the  environment.  Your active support can help.
• Vote with your wallet.  Support those shops, restaurants, and corporations that have strong environmental policies.   Different companies may have very different records on recycling, packaging, and energy conservation.  Tell them how important these issues are for you, and that you can take your business elsewhere.  The most effective approach is to buy products that are minimally packaged and energy efficient, while avoiding the rest. 
• Educate your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.  You may be surprised at how little other people know about recycling and conservation.  Ask for (or volunteer for) a recycling program at work.  A little encouragement can go a long way. 

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