Bokashi probs

[deborah]

After saving my pennies I got 2 bokashi bin sets, a set for me and a set for my mum. We downloaded the instruction leaflet, read up on here about them etc. But neither of us has had a successful load yet, we have done 2 loads each and they have all gone off, green mould, putrid smell etc. We don't know where we are going wrong. We don't put liquids in, everything is squished down, we use a good covering of the bran etc.

Is it just trial and error ? The bins aren't filling up very quickly as neither of us has lots of waste, could it be that ?

[Urban Ayisha]

is the smell putrid before you've let it to 'ferment' for 2 weeks? (i.e. in your kitchen). They are a bit of an expensive outlay, these bokashi bins, but ive never really had any problems with them and they can be great, although in your case that doesnt seem to be the outcome!
it sounds like your doing everything as per the instructions, the only thing i can think is that the bran is 'off' or something. maybe try contacting the retailer you got it from and explaining to them the situation.
And it sometimes takes me a long time to fill them up, too, so i dont know if its that.
hope u find the answer!

[Jandra]

I've done a few loads of bokashi and found the following do's and don'ts:
- don't open the lid more than once a day, in stead collect your stuff during the day in a container with a lid with some old newspaper in the bottom to collect any run-off.
- don't put anything in which has gone off or is mouldy.
- Dont put anything in which is too big (halve orange peels from juicing, large apple cores, just cut it all up pretty finely)
- After 2 days start checking for liquid by opening the valve every day
- After two weeks, whether it is full or no, set it aside in the garden with the valve open so that the liquid can run off continually. I tend to forget to check every day once I put it outside for further fermentation and... well... that's not a good idea!

Hope this helps,
Jandra

[deborah]

So far I haven't had any liquid off mine, but my mum has on hers and she said it cleaned the drains great. The smell is before the 2 weeks fermenting time, I've never gotten that far with it!

I will give it another go and see how it turns out, will keep you posted.