FIRST TIME USERS: What to expect

THE FIRST TIME you use your NatureMill, establish the natural compost cultures. This is needed only once:

• ADD 1 CUP (250 ml) ordinary soil into the upper mixing chamber. Frozen, dry, sandy, or clay soil is ok. Remove any rocks. Do not use packaged soil or starter.
• ADD 1 CUP (250ml) sawdust pellets (included) to balance the green-brown chemistry.
• ADD 1 TABLESPOON (15 ml) baking soda (included) to balance the acidity level.
• ADD FOOD SCRAPS to the mixing chamber until HALF FULL. See COMPOST GUIDE (over) for a list of foods.
• PLUG IN THE POWER and WAIT 3-5 days. The POWER light should be on. Keep the lid and front door closed. If you experience trash odors or wetness: add more sawdust pellets and baking soda and wait 2-3 days.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The motor will mix every 4 hours for several minutes at a time. You may hear whirring and snapping sounds, and the hum of the air pump. The unit will become quiet once it heats up and breaks in, after about 1-2 weeks.

Some compost may fall from the mixing chamber down to the red cure tray. There may also be some liquid collecting in the red cure tray or the white drip tray. All of this is normal.