I have an Odjob and I originally found it more trouble than it was worth. I recently fell back and re-grouped as I didn't appreciate being outsmarted by the thing, and figured out that if I make up the tufa mixture dry and then put it in the Odjob that it works just fine. If I dump the ingregients in it separately, then the ingredients just don't mix and there are lots of blue words flying around the workshop. I make sure not to overload it with water (for all the obvious downfalls of that), preferring to have my tufa a little on the dry side and then dump it into a mortar trough and finish it up by hand which is pretty easy as it is almost done anyway. I find that I get a better consistent quality from batch to batch using it this way. I can make up a batch in under 5 minutes. Like any of the tools, it does have to be rinsed off well after each use. For large batches, I use my regular cement mixer which isn't exactly a day at the beach either...try keeping that thing clean in the winter!!

If you're really looking for a more contained or neat looking composting option, you can build a composter out of a 32-gallon plastic garbage can. I acquired one recently from Home Depot for about $15 (you might find an even better price with a bit of shopping around). I then drilled 1/2" holes all over it, including the bottom but excluding the lid, and it's made a great composter. An old fashioned bin is certainly the cheapest option, but since I live in the city, I understand the desire for something a little more compact and/or neat looking. I also like the fact that I can move my bins to another part of the yard if I feel the need. As other people have mentioned, regardless of the style of composter, you won't get an odor if you have good aeration and a decent mix of browns.

I tried that system and it was a complete failure. Followed the instructions carefully using an apple tree branch. When I checked it, I found white fungus at the peeled area of the branch and it was crawling with insects. I cleaned it and closed it up again, but the same thing happened. It never developed roots. Maybe others will have better luck!

I started ordering from Lee Valley when I did my kitchen over 6 yrs ago. I have the pull out beside my refrigerator, I also have the stainless measuring cups and spoons. I have the expandable drawer dividers, also the wall thing for hanging my pots and utensils behind my cook top. I have the danish dough whisk and the maslin pan ( mine has the lid..they no longer have the lid..it is the BEST pan you will ever ever cook in ) and the pie weights. I also have that microplane. The only things I got from them that were awful and a waste of money were the pink stretchy things to hold chickens to truss them..they break right away and also don't stay tight and a set of scissors that I got that were the Chinese supposed to be super sharp..ha..they went in the trash. Otherwise everything has been perfect. I may have to put together another order !!