Locked lid or air flow for keeping compost stink down?

I'm trying to compost in my tiny kitchen without any bad smells. A buddy uses a bin with no holes and says it's perfect, but online guides talk about needing oxygen. Which way really keeps the odor from spreading?

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3 Comments

ninafisher7mo ago

Airflow is key for stopping the stink. Without it, the compost turns soggy and smells terrible. A bin with a few small holes under a lid works perfectly in a kitchen.

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ninafisher7mo ago

What about mixing in dry browns like shredded paper or straw to boost airflow? I read in a composting guide that adding too many kitchen scraps without enough browns makes it soggy. (The book said to aim for twice as many browns as greens, which really helps.) Turning the pile every few days lets air in and cuts down on the bad smells fast.

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rowan1287mo ago

Your buddy's no-holes bin seems to go against the usual advice. Does he have a special method for dealing with the liquid that must build up at the bottom? A totally sealed container with wet food scraps sounds like a recipe for a smelly, soggy mess.

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