FAQs

As a rule of thumb, anything a human can consume, raw or cooked, can be placed into the machine. Compostable packaging can also be added to the machine but we recommend shredding it first to reduce the volume and particle size.

Anything that is not organic - for example, plastic, glass, metal products. Putting these items into the machine can potentially lead to machine damage and malfunction.

Yes, if it is certified compostable. We recommend the compostable goods input should be no more than 40% of the machine’s daily capacity.

The machine gets to work processing the food immediately so can be loaded as many times as needed throughout the day, as long as the maximum fill level isn’t exceeded. 

When the food waste is composted, there is a 80-90% reduction in the volume so even if the machine is filled to the max. level with food waste, it does not need to be emptied immediately. We estimate that the compost will need to be harvested every 10-14 days if the machine is being used close to capacity.

The process of composting in the Oklin machines is done in the presence of oxygen (aerobically) and therefore there is no methane produced. The only outputs that come from the machine are warm, damp air that is extracted by the internal fan, and the compost itself! The machine does not need to be connected to drainage.

Yes! The compost is ready to use as soon as it comes out of the machine. It is an immature compost and very nutrient rich so needs to be mixed with soil at a 1:10 ratio or sprinkled on the ground and hoed in. Use it in a similar way to a fertiliser or manure!

In theory, yes, as long as any staples or plastic tape are removed. We would also recommend shredding to reduce the particle size to aid the composting process. However, cardboard is a much more valuable resource when recycled. By composting, you are essentially ending the life of the product when it could in fact be recycled and used over and over again.

The unit is best installed indoors in a kitchen, utility room or garage but if outdoor installation is unavoidable, protect from rain, freezing and direct sunlight - a good quality shed would suffice. 

Install on a flat, solid, level surface. The machine connects to a normal household electrical supply, so ensure that there is a 13-amp plug socket nearby.

An exhaust hose allows any vapour and moisture to be expelled from the machine. The ideal installation would be directly into a waste pipe below the U-bend of a sink. Alternatively, the pipe can be connected to an external carbon filter to neutralise any odours. It is important the hose continuously slopes along its entire length to avoid anything blocking the pipe. 

Installation of the GG10s all the way up to the GG500s is completed by our team of experts and will be included in your quote. We conduct a site survey prior to installation to determine the best location and access routes.

This is okay – what goes in is what comes out. What is the most important is that the compost is dry and powdery and resembles soil of some sort. Colour will always change depending on what type of food waste has gone into the machine.

It is likely that a large amount of food with a high fat content has gone into the machine, such as buttery or oily sauces. Try to avoid adding too much oil to the machine as this hinders the ability to evaporate moisture from the compost and reduce the humidity. Continue using the machine as normal, being mindful of items with a high fat content, and the machine will right itself after a few days.

This sort of binding of the compost happens when there is too much liquid in the machine. Try adding drier foods and avoiding food with a higher water content while the machine works to bring the humidity down. If the compost remains wet, adding shredded paper or cardboard may help balance out the moisture quicker.

A powdery compost is perfectly normal and is the perfect consistency to enter into a hygiene cycle and harvest the compost. If the compost is dustier, water or foods with a high moisture content can be added to balance the consistency.

Condensation on the inside of the lid indicates there is high humidity in the tank. This may be caused by the fan not working properly. Remove the filter and check there is no build-up of compost. Best practice is to clean the filter every day to ensure the fan can work efficiently. Also check there is nothing blocking the tube. To do this, make the machine safe by pressing in the emergency stop button to stop the fan turning. Reach a hand down the tube to feel for any compost material creating a blockage and remove if so. When returning the filter box to the machine, ensure it is put in the correct way, with the grill facing into the compost tank. Ensure to turn the machine back on.

Sometimes it takes longer than the prescribed 24 hours for the machine to go into energy save mode. Firstly, ensure the padlock is on the machine and neither doors have been opened, as this will reactivate the machine. Other causes may be due to the compost having a high moisture content; therefore, it will take longer to reduce the humidity to the 20% required to go into energy save mode. Simply leave the machine padlocked and come back to it a few hours later.