I was very pleased with the wealth of information provided with this worm bin. I was initially expecting to only get a simple worm bin with a few bedding materials and a few instructions on how to set it up. But instead it comes shipped with a FULL booklet on just about EVERYTHING you need to know to get started in vermiculture. I appreciate the fact that these sellers are committed to the success of their customers by providing so much useful information. The booklet details how to troubleshoot and identify problems that may arise, how and what to feed your worms, how to properly maintain the bin over months, how to harvest the castings from the bin when it's ready, anatomy and life cycle of worms, how to keep your worms happy, and so much more! Receiving this booklet was definitely a breath of fresh air compared to all the small sheets of papers I get with broken translated English printed on them.I also like how you get enough bedding to fill two trays so you will be set for several months before you need to go get some additional materials for bedding (if you don't already have some).Currently, the worms have been quite happy in their new home (as far as I can tell). I've had the bin for about a month now and it has worked well for me. Obviously I will need more time to fully access this product, but so far, it's been easy to use and useful.A word of caution for those that are new to vermicomposting: When you add your new worms to the bin, make sure the environment is just to their liking (how to do this is explained in detail in the manual that comes with this item). When I received my worms in the mail, they were obviously stressed from the cross-country trip they had to make so they probably weren't the happiest of worms. After putting them in the bin, they WILL go exploring and this worm bin WILL NOT contain them. The bin is designed to allow proper air flow so it is far from being completely sealed. If the worms are not happy and want to explore the world around them, they will! Since I had to immediately leave after I added the worms to my bin, I came home to several worms (around 10) crawling around on the floor around the bin! It is suggested to turn on a light right above the bin to discourage them leaving, and I thought turning on the kitchen light would be enough. I was definitely wrong! I highly recommend getting a very bright desk lamp of sorts to shine *directly* above the bin for the first few days. After I got this bright lamp in place and adjusted the moisture levels of the bin, the worms were much more cooperative in staying inside. Now that the worms have acclimated to their new environment, I have no issues with them staying inside the bin and have no more need for the bright lamp.So to recap, when you get your worms, make sure you've got a little pile of food waiting for them and make sure the moisture levels are proper (not too dry, not too wet). Then make sure you've got a bright light to setup up directly outside of the bin that you can shine on it. If you do these things, you will not end up like me and find a bunch of worms crawling all over your floor and walls. Unfortunately, I lost a handful of worms due to my initial problems (they can dry out pretty quick and will die if left outside the bin), but the worms that are left are happily crawling around their food now.I would highly recommend ordering your worms after your worm bin so you have time to get things situated. More importantly, you'll have time to read through booklet that will ensure you know what you're doing when the time comes! Definitely read through the booklet since its got so much good information.I've been very happy with this product and would definitely recommend it to anyone that is interested in vermicomposting. The bin does not stink if taken care of properly, and I haven't even gotten any fruit flies yet! The worms mind their own business and just eat and poop all day--exactly what I want them to do!

This worm factory is working well and I would recommend it. After 6 months of use, I am now able to make a tray full of vermicompost about every month. I want to include some of my experiences here. My bin is outside for the warmer months, but will be moved into the kitchen soon. If you follow instructions and freeze or microwave scraps and bury them in the bedding, you will minimize or eliminate potential problems with fruit flies or other bugs. I avoid putting any smelly veggie scraps into the bin, and just throw these in an outside compost pile (broccoli, onions, asparagus, etc). I also cover the top bin with several layers of newspaper, then put the lid on.Currently my bedding material is the 1/2 brick of coir (I score deeply with a bread knife, then find a slightly uneven surface to break the brick with my foot and weight), some pumice, and loads of shredded cardboard (pizza boxes, small boxes, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls) and a bit of shredded paper. (Shredding accomplished with paper shredder and not by hand). I wet these per instructions and fill each bin almost full (because it will ultimately pack down much more). I would like to use more composted leaves in the future, but not ready for that yet. It amazes me to watch this cardboard become compost in about 3 months.You must be patient when you start and not over feed your 1 or 2 lb of worms. It took me 4-5 months to get all the bins working, and for my worms to multiply so I could feed them more. Now I pay little attention to moisture after I've followed directions of wetting down the bedding. I feed the worms about 2-4 cups of pre-frozen, pret-chopped compost once or twice a week, and I do check the bin weekly, and bury the food. I also check to see if there is much evidence left of prior scraps and hold off putting more in if lots of scraps are still left. Worms appear happy, and it makes for a clean, non- smelly bin. I occasionally add dried crushed egg shells. I do not purée the scraps as some suggest- I think it can potentially get the bins too wet, especially towards the bottom.My only real issue has been that worms and quite a bit of composted material get down into the base, but I've become more relaxed about it. I try to check the base every couple of weeks or so ( somewhat heavy lifting, or placing trays on newspaper to the side) to make sure it is not too wet or too full of compost. I usually scoop the worms and material back into another bin. (the tools that come with the bin are handy). I leave the spout on open with the catch pan underneath, so the worms are not at risk of drowning. My bin is probably on the slightly drier side than some others, but worms seem to be thriving. Hope this is helpful to someone. Vermicomposting does take some extra time (shredding paper/cardboard, chopping veggies), but I am greatly enjoying it!Update 4/30/2015. Still composting! Bin is still in great shape. I am more experienced but a bit lazy. Here are a few suggestions after doing this awhile:1. Still use shredded cardboard (keep a bag full of shredded pizza boxes, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, etc), smaller amount of shredded paper, 1/2 brick coir per bin, and outdoor compost. Fill the bin at least 3/4 full with materials to get a good batch in the end - it will compact a lot. Follow the instructions - they work!2. I leave in kitchen area - no smells or fruit flies if you bury the stuff. I've quit freezing the materials just for ease, but worms do like the stuff that is thawed and will get into faster. There are lots of mites in the bins, but they seem to stay there. Cover top bin with newspaper.3. I keep lightly moist and rarely go in to moisten. Just feed scraps regularly and place in different areas of bin (corners, etc) to keep it moist. Bottom bins will be the most moist and this tends to be where the worms lay there eggs. I leave drain open and pan underneath, but rarely get any tea out, which I prefer. Seems to stay moist enough for the worms.4. I primarily feed with old fruit, overripe avocado, tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells, a little corn meal (just for fun - they love this stuff!). Chop greens and all materials well. Greens probably work best after freezing. Root vegetables take too long to break down in a vermicompost bin, in my opinion. I still put the smelly stuff - broccoli, onions, etc in the outdoor compost. I try not to put in squash seeds - they just don't break down, but sprout instead (and take a long time to do this).5. If you are in a cold climate, it's good to get bins cleaned out (dumped in garden) Aug-Sept, so you can be making new compost over the winter indoors, which will be ready for Spring. I failed to get things cleaned out and new bins started last Fall and I'm regretting now. I would have had more worms and more compost. You have to stay on top of it!Update 5/26/2016. Still working well (purchased in 2012). Mine stays in my kitchen (I used to put out on my shaded porch in summer, but too lazy now). Contrary to other reviews, I bury chopped up banana peels probably 3-5 times a week in mine with no problem with fruit flies or any smells (note: don't put smelly veggies in the bin, and chop everything else). I generally do not have leachate. If you have a lot of leachate, to me it means you are overfeeding or adding too much water (and the leachate shouldn't smell either). I had enough worms this year to transfer a cupful to my Garden Tower (Garden Tower Project). I don't add expensive coir anymore. I just fill the new bin to almost full with shredded cardboard (I often leave this bin on top as I get the bin filled up, and once full, I wet it down and start filling with compost). Worms seem to turn the cardboard into compost in about 1-2 months. One other point - mostly my fruit compost goes in this, some coffee grounds, opened tea bags, with smaller amounts of greens. I put large amounts of green compost out in a regular compost bin. My top bin actually "crackles" with activity - one can hear the worms moving around when I open the lid :)Update 1/1/2018: Still going strong after 6 years, but re-learned a couple of things after a particularly bad fruit fly infestation - DO put fruit peels in freezer before putting in worm bin. This kills any fruit fly eggs /larvae that may have gotten on the peels in the store or at home. DO chop up peels and don’t put really chunky pieces in the worm bin. I made the mistake of putting in a whole mango pit. The worms cannot devour it fast enough, which gives the fruit flies a distinct advantage. Love this thing! Still works well. I dump the completed compost around my fruit trees and garden bed and work into the soil. I still keep it in the kitchen area in the winter, then out on the porch in summer.Update 3/12/2022: still holding up well and still using. Keeping it inside all the time. Use the extra worms for my Garden Tower II.

El producto muy bien, pero no llegaron las lombrices para comenzar el proyecto. Tuve que adquirirlas por mi cuenta.

This is the perfect set up if you are tight on space and want something visually appealing. Instructions cover everything you need to know and there are a ton of Youtube videos on this specific unit. I have read some complaints on these Amazon reviews, but it's obvious most did not research or read the instructions when setting it up. Make sure you add a layer of newspaper on the very bottom to help prevent your red wrigglers from getting into the lowest part of the worm box. Also, don't wait too long before starting another layer. About 3 months should do it. I think I waited too long and now I need to distribute some of the lower castings to a higher tier as it's a bit heavy. If your bin smells, ADD SHREDDED NEWSPAPER. the smell will come from what you are feeding your worms and if that food is exposed. It will not smell if the food is burred under shredded newspaper. Happy farming!

I've owned this for maybe a year or two ago or so. Bought a couple extra trays. Overall, it's a good system. One should never, in all honesty, require more than the number (4?) of trays that it came with. Does what it says, no muss, no fuss. Lid came a bit warped, but that made no difference to the worms. If you'd like to try vermicomposting in your home, this is a good choice, I tended to mine with reasonable care, meaning that I didn't hover above it, but I also didn't let a week go by without checking on it. The worms seemed happy, and the trays were tight with almost clay-like dense black castings, each weighing about 20-25 lbs each. When mixed with soil, the house plants grew so much that I had to limit how much of the stuff that I added. As far as my garden goes, this surely played a part in my garden's excellent condition. I think that I payed in the neighbourhood of $100 at the time. I'd do it again.

Had the Worm Factory 360 running for a month. Still early to give a complete review of it's overall performance, but so far I am pretty pleased with how it's setup and performance. I will give my overview of the first month to date:Positives:1) Received both English / French instructions was included compared to other people's reviews here.2) 360 setup was simple and easy to operate.3) No bad odors, as long as you follow the instructions given. I have been operating this unit for 1 month now and only half way thru the tray. I have watched many youtube videos and tips from other 360 users and I have adopted to process my left over with the food processor. I find this method help speed up the process for the worms to eat the food faster vs. leaving the food in chunks and burying it under the compost. This takes longer for the big pieces to decompose and allowing the worm to feed on it. I just spread it on top of the compost and just cover it with sheet of newspaper. The food usually gets eaten within 24 hrs.Negatives:1) Ordered both the 360 and an extra 2x trays same time, but received the 360 week later than the extra trays.2) Wished the trays are bigger in size3) wished the trays have side stopper to prevent the tray's weight from sitting directly on top of the sol and crushing the worms, when you add another tray on top. By adding the side stopper tab, it will rest on top of edge of the bottom tray to assist in reducing the weight of the above trays.

So far a couple months in no issues. Worms are thriving and I’m creating beneficial material to use as an ingredient for compost and compost teas and extracts. I feel like more people should embrace this instead of just shipping off organic waste which increases ones carbon footprint. Other than it required being made of plastic it’s a win win.