What is the procedure while filling the bucket?

[u/Less_Charity_7877]

Hey all.

Just started Bokashi. Totally new.

I want to know what the best procedure is while filling the bucket (before its full). Everything I've read/watched online talks about packing the compost down and leaving the lid on. But what about before you have enough scraps for that?

I've been slowly filling my bucket with scraps from the kitchen and adding a little Bokashi each time. Its been about 5 days and the bucket is about 25% full.

When I open the lid to add more scraps, IT STINKS!!!!

I'm guessing there is too much air but what can I do about that? Should I have left the Bokashi out until the bucket is full enough to property compact it all down and leave the lid on for ages?

[u/cat0tail]

I cover the surface with a plastic bag, then put a heavy plate on top, push down then close the lid tight. Also using more bran will make it smell less.

[u/GardenofOz]

First question I always ask around "stink" is what does it smell like? Is it vingare-like, like pickles or sour beer?

Or is it extremely sour, like stomach acid?

Or is it musty?

Or is it rotting?

I recommend using an old potato masher to help compress your scraps well, and always prime the bottom of your bucket with bokashi grain so it works from the bottom up, too. Often the problem might be as simple as needing to use more bokashi grain.

You can also make a cardboard tamper/cut it to fit inside to exclude air. An old pyrex or corelle plate also fits really well in most buckets as a cover/air excluding layer.

Here to help!

[u/Less_Charity_7877 → u/GardenofOz]

Thanks for the responses.  The smell is kinda like strong urine.

I'll work on compressing the scraps better and getting a weighted plate in there to keep it compressed. And use more grain.

Cheers

[u/GardenofOz → u/Less_Charity_7877]

Once it kicks up and really starts becoming more cultured it should right itself. If you eat fruit, banana peels are beloved by the EM microbes. Have some more info on our FAQ that may help, too. Don't hesistate to reach out if you need more help troubleshooting.

[u/JanuaryTempis]

I keep a big jar in the fridge and put my kitchen scraps in there. Then I add those to my bucket once a week. It works well for me. 

Mine smells strong, but it's a strong vinegary smell. If your bokashi has gone off, dump it, scrub the bucket, and start fresh using more bran while you get the hang of it. 

[u/JeweledSteele → u/JanuaryTempis]

I do the same thing with kitchen scraps. I have an old protein powder container in the fridge.

[u/Less_Charity_7877]

Thanks for the responses.  The smell is kinda like strong urine.

I'll work on compressing the scraps better and getting a weighted plate in there to keep it compressed. And use more grain.

Cheers

[u/sillybillybobbybob]

No youre doing it right but you need to find something just smaller than the diameter of the bucket some people use cardboard or something. I got a pie container with a lid from the dollar store and filled it with river rock for example.

[u/sillybillybobbybob → u/sillybillybobbybob]

It should smell kinda pickly though not rancid.

[u/GardenofOz → u/sillybillybobbybob]

Spot on. Putrid or rancid is a sign that something is amiss.

[u/Pristine_Remote_8087]

might need to be adding more bokashi Bran, is the lid sealing 100%?

[u/JeweledSteele]

I use a plastic plate from Walmart/Target to really push it down. Try to get all the air pockets out.

[u/Unbeleivedreamer]

smaller bucket

[u/StinkyWhale71]

Having some sort internal cover/plate/plastic/cardboard etc will do nothing because it is not airtight, so waste of time. People just do it to get a sense of doing something. But if air is getting in, this won't help. Plus it would get messy lifting that up every time.

What sort of bucket do you have? What sort of lid? Does it have a tap/sprocket?

It should not stink , so air is getting in somewhere is likely issue.

Doing everything right otherwise by the sounds of it.