I'm in the same boat as many people here that bought this composter only to have it start rusting after a couple of years. A product like this shouldn't rust! It is to be kept outside and keep having wet compost on the inside - use stainless steel or a coating! A customer shouldn't have to hold their bin together with ratchet straps.

I have owned this product for over 4 years. Several internal parts rusted and I inquired about buying replacement parts. I was floored to learn that my product was still under warranty and I would receive all new "guts" so I can get my composter operating again. Very happy with the service.

Cons: We bought this composter from Costco a few years ago. It was hard to assemble and we realized that it was hard to rotate. Its locking mechanism was kind of finicky from day 1. And the drums leaked constantly due to water logging in our PNW weather. The Aereator bar inside got clogged pretty quickly. And the locking mechanism stopped working due to immense rusting. The lids do not want to close completely. Two years ago, I cleaned the parts by pressure washing and neemoiled DW40ed the latch etc. I was able to get one side to work somewhat. The other side is permanently stuck. This year, the latches do not work, so the drums can not be spin. However I am still dumping stuff in there out of habit and trying to hand turn it! It is a pain in the neck. I have not gotten another product because of the fact I have yet to find something which may be a better design The good part is: It has a stand, so your compost is not sitting on the ground and rodents infestation associated with composting is non-existent. The idea is really good that you can rotate the drums and compost one side while the other side is an active collection side. I wish it had not rusted so quickly and become inoperable. I wish there was a technician out there who could come out and fix the problems with this composter.

These were great at first, but the hinges rusted out and fell apart in about a year. Lifetime sent me replacements, but then the latches and associated hardware began rusting and disintegrating. I fixed what I could at first to keep them in commission, but finally gave up on them when the bars rusted out. They have been all but useless for most of the time I've owned them.

These compost bins are perfect - just the right size and very sturdy. The double bin feature allows one load to mature while the other takes the fresh matter. After 5 years the company replaced a rusted hinge at no charge. I'm looking forward to years and years more use.

I bought this composter several years ago and have been extremely happy with it. But what is most exceptional is the incredible customer service provided by Lifetime when parts have needed to be replaced. As others have noted, the interior locking mechanism rusted after a year or so of use. I called Lifetime and they immediately sent me a replacement with an updated anti-rust coating. Yesterday the locking pin on the left bin broke, I just got off the phone with lifetime and again they immediately acted on the problem and are sending me a replacement. It is rare to find a company with such integrity and great service. Lifetime rocks!!!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I bought this product several years ago and have had good success in using it until recently, when the metal components began to rust and one of the bin door hinges snapped off. After seeing I was not the only one with this issue, I contacted customer service, and they promptly sent me replacement parts without hassle. Even the best companies will sometimes have issues with their products--one mark of a good company is those that take responsibility for their product and customer experience and work hard to make things right. Thanks, Lifetime.

Bought this double composter from Costco and it should have been great. Unfortunately it has not lasted as I expected it would for the price. I purchased it in 2013 or 14 so the warranty is up. I have already replaced the hinge on one side once and it has rusted in two again as well as the latching mechanism on the same side. The tube in the middle is rusted as well. For some reason the other side is not quite as bad, but still rusted. I guess they are not made to last a lifetime but I would have loved more than 6 years for the price. :(

I enjoyed putting the composter together with my girlfriend. It definitely helps to have two people to put the product together. It took us about 7 hours. It was not a continuous 7 hours, but the construction took place over a period of a week. I am legally blind so there was an excuse not to get it done in 2 hours. I have it setting outside and it is already loaded with composting material. Thanks for the product. My girlfriend was excited due to the fact we did not have any parts left over.

...for Clallam County in Washington State. When it comes to composters, whether store bought or hand built, I've seen them all. But of all of them, I tip my hat to this one. I was out buying the parts to build a new drum composter - a plastic 45gal barrel and some aluminum - but the moment I saw this one, I was sold! In fact, the money I spent wouldn't even pay for the parts of the one I was about to build. More importantly, this one has indestructible construction (extremely important when dealing with nematodes and other microbes breaking down organic matter into compost), a powder-coated base, and the multi-position drum locking system is a breeze to fill and empty! It's also the perfect size for the average residential home. Best of all, .....it's incredibly easy! For best results, mix 50% brown with 50% green, then tumble it for a minute or two. Within a day or two (depending on the ambient temperature), the mixture will begin to generate heat. Encouraged by this units double-wall construction, this is what you want, ....SO LEAVE IT ALONE! Once the temperature has subsided, spin the drum for a minute to remix the ingredients. Again, it will begin to generate heat. For best results, do this procedure 3 or 4 times, until it no longer generates heat. It is now ready to use. One last comment about compost. The goal of composting is not to make compost, but to create an environment that generates and encourages microbial habitat; these are the little guys that continue to break down organic matter into the building blocks that feed your plants long after you have spread the compost on your garden or lawn. Like you, nematodes need air and water to survive, so dry soil is dead soil.