Composting has been the realm of the gardener in the past, and that is the perspective that informs the "why bother with such an expensive and fancy gizmo." With renewed attention to landfills, "green" behaviors, etc., there are a growing number of people who are composting primarily to reduce the volume of trash (and methane produced in landfills), reduce the amount put down the disposal, and are only secondarily interested in the compost that results. They may not even be gardeners, to speak of. I know people who are composting in NYC on an apartment balcony, and in the small fenced in area behind a garden apartment. It is to these folks, and to the "casual" gardener that this type of composting appeals.

The door was about 24-30'' long by about 15-18'' high, looking at it with the barrel on its side. To center mount one axle I took 2x4 cut to fit on the outside ends of the barrel, drilled a hole that the 3/4'' pipe would slip through in the center of the 2x4 and the barrel, then bolted the 2x4 (on flat) to the barrel end with two 3/8 ( I think) bolts on each side of the center hole. Then slide the axle in, get it where you want it, then drill and bolt the axle and 2x4 together. So when the axle spins its fastened to the 2x4 which is fastened to the barrel and the barrel spins, simple enough. The frame is just crude 2x4 frame wide enough for the barrel to fit between the upright legs, and high enough for my wheelbarrow to fit under. My axle bearings, if you can call 'um that are a 1.25'' x 3'' pipe nipple setting on top each side of the frame legs, held in place with two hole conduit straps, the 3/4'' pipe slides right through with room to spare, which is a good thing as this where the friction comes from, I cut holes in the ends top and bottom so the brew can breath, I covered them with some hardware cloth. The only thing I should have done differantly was either have the door size closer to the size of the wheelbarrow or built the frame so the wheelbarrow would have gone in fron one of the ends, so as to prevent spillage when emptying it into a wheelbarrow. Because of this I found the besy way for me is to just let it dump on the ground then use a small shovel or trowel and scoop it into a bucket then take it to where ever I want, and leave whatever is left on the ground under the tumbler for later. The barrel was free I guess I've got about $50 in the pipe, fittings, hinges, 2x4s etc.

How quickly any compost will freeze depends on how much moisture is in the mix and what the average temperatures are and how long the average temperature has been where its at. Unless your average temperatures are below freezing (actual not perceived), ie. if the average temperature around your compost is above 33 degrees that compost will not freeze. To an extent you can keep the activity going with some Nitrogen but if the C:N ratio gets too far out of wack there is no real benefit, adn if there is too much moisture in the mix the added N will be of no benefit anyway. If your compost is chugging alone really well when the average temperatures drop to freeezing or below it will take some time for those temperatures to affect your compost, but if the digestion process has slowed down by then your compost wil freeze quicker. If your compost bin has all sides exposed to the the weather it will freeze quicker that a compost pile on the ground and somewhat more protected from the temperatures, the more exposed your compost is the faster it will react with the temperatures. Simple physics. A bridge deck freezes quicker than the other road surface for the same reason.

Many of the things have been covered so I'll try to avoid duplicates. But another caution: $20 will buy jumper cables good for Texas or Arizona, but not for Minnesota or North Dakota. You'll spend 2-3 times that for a decent set worthy of carrying around here. Check the gauge of the wire and the clamps. Buy from a reputable place, not a discount department store, if you want a good set. Another caution is a cell phone is a good idea but will do you no good without power. Always buy a car adapter and keep it in the vehicle. "Emergency" cell phones, won't be maintained so they won't be charged. Without a charger you stand no chance of using it. Also, be sure to check coverage. Why get one that won't have coverage when you need it? Also, if you need to repair a hose, don't go for the duct tape right away. Electrical tape will seal the hole better. Duct tape won't. Wrap it well with electrical tape and *then* give a wrap of the silver miracle. The grey gold will keep the electrical tape in place better and seal itself better. I always used a coffee can and put a roll of toilet paper in a plastic bag, double bagged, actually. Also had some matches and some large heavy duty garbage bags. A garbage bag will be a one-size-fits-most for a rain poncho, and have numerous other uses. People who use eyeglasses should keep an extra pair in the vehicle, especially if your license requires you to wear them while driving. I always keep water in the vehicle. Sure it freezes in the winter but the small bottles thaw quickly. I also keep aspirin, antacids and the like so I don't have to buy them at outrageous prices if needed. I just take a small bottle and keep a few in there. A roll of paper towels cut in half fits nicely in a coffee can and gives you an alternative to the toilet paper and gives you some ready napkins and something to use to clean up those accidents. Put the garbage bags in there and I like a few wet wipes. Tow chain or a tow strap. Takes little room. Oh, I use the crank flashlights. No need to worry about batteries. I usually like to carry a gallon of window wash fluid (de-icer in the winter) and a gallon of antifreeze. If you break a hose you can get the radiator filled. Dump in the antifreeze and it can get you going to a place to add some water. Or if your near a water source, even a lake, stream or ditch, you have a container for the water. Clothes appropriate for the climate. And a comealong winch is a good idea too. Can extend the reach of the tow strap and you can winch yourself out of a bad spot. And I believe in keeping some cash, including change, in the vehicle. Pay phones used to be a big reason but that's more obsolete now but if you have to buy some gas, or bandages or something, you might find a few dollars handy. Nobody's saying you should carry everything everyone has suggested. Very few people would find a gas wrench useful - most wouldn't know how to use it. So you use it for ideas. Modify it. There is no all-inclusive list that will work for everyone. Some things you would take on a trip but not leave in there all the time. Some things should be in there. Minnesota requires you to carry proof of insurance. I keep one card in my wallet and one in the vehicle. Belt and suspenders I suppose. I still haven't gotten around to stocking my "new" vehicle yet. But probably have most of it in there. When the weather gets nicer I'll clean it out and check inventory against my checklist.