Lifetime Rotating Composter

We have an original 80 gallon Lifetime compost tumbler and I really think it's gonna last a lifetime. They even sell replacement parts for the joints and hinges that rust and have to be replaced. They have been out of stock of the original 80 gallon one for years, and we want a second tumbler so one can finish while we add fresh scraps to the new one. We caved and bought this 50 gallon version. We were skeptical when assembling it because it is NOT remotely the same quality as the original. The side plastic pieces that you slide together are obvious weak points, and 2 years into its lifetime and one of these pieces is failing. The latch is also quite wimpy for holding 50 gallons inside, and it's hard to tell which way is closed, so the compost has fallen out on our feet and made an epic mess twice already. Lifetime, PLEASE bring back the 80 gallon original!!! People are willing to pay good money and plenty of it for quality products that do their jobs for 10+ years (and counting!)! This new one will be in a landfill while our original keeps on working.

I bought about four years ago. All of the metal parts in contact with compost have rusted and fallen apart

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] It was a bit of a challenge to put together by myself, but it is very well built and I feel like it will serve me well for years to come. I like that the door comes off and that the barrel locks in place. This make loading and unloading much easier.

Sad the metal bits are such poor quality. We purchased 3, are all doing the same; within 2 years, rusting to the point of not being usable (cannot latch lid to turn). Why didn't they use quality metal parts and just charge a bit more for the thing? I ordered replacement hardware (which I had to pay for and wasn't cheap) but old screws and bolts are so rusty they can't be removed without drilling out broken, rusted bolts and screws, now the handle is messed up and the holes too big for new screws, it is a mess and super frustrating. Cross bar is rusting and flaking big chunks of rusted metal into my compost, what are they thinking? I got one of our 3 units repaired and 5 months later new hardware is rusty again. :(

Purchased this for our new garden. Can’t wait to start to fill it up with organic compost.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I bought two of these units 2nd hand. They seem to be great units except for the hardware inside. ( Handle opening bar and assembly) Hopefully the new ones handle's are made of stainless steel because all the hardware inside rusts very badly from all their moisture emitted and stops functioning...

We bought this composter and its high quality materials. Instructions for assembly were a bit confusing as the diagrams were not always clear and steps not always in order.

Lifetime for plastic parts, all the metal parts will corrode or rust very quickly. I bought this lifetime composter after my last one last several years and no replacement products offered. This was the new and improved version of the one I had and it's been nothing but junk since the get go. The metal locking mechanism started to show since of corrosion very earlier on. The bell crank and arms have not seized up and you can not move the handle. The product should come with a plastic tube through the middle and stainless hardware they should also design it so you can fit a wheelbarrow.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have two of these compost tumblers. Assembly is a little more involved than I expected and requires a little practical nous. Once assembled it is a good product which I have used for a couple of seasons. My main complaint is that metal parts - hinges, latches, etc, are prone to corrosion and given the environment of a compost tumbler, I would have thought this to be a fitness-for-purpose issue. Assembly and operation instructions should be clear that tumbler should NOT be left with latch/hinges downward, and that metal parts be treated with a water resistant corrosion inhibitor on assembly and each season. That said, aftersales service has been excellent with Lifetime sending out replacement hinges and latches (I am in Australia).

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I want to love this - yet, we are having similar issues as related here about the closing mechanism. Rusted and we need to use WD-40 almost weekly.... ugh.

Worked well for 2 years but just isn't built to last much longer than that. Now at 3 years, the panels don't stay together, which also means the door doesn't stay shut. Not durable.

What genius designed a composter with a metal latch inside that gets food waste on it, which causes it to rust and makes it impossible to open and close properly?! Don’t buy this product if you actually want to use it, i.e. be able to open it and close it, a necessary function of a composting bin.

Rusted... did not last... such an utter disappointment. The company should respond with a better, new, and rust proof products to all of the customers who's compost rusted!

The metal parts started to rust quickly and it became so bad that the latching mechanism would not turn. Very Disappointed and would not purchase this product.

We purchased this composter and after using it for a year and a half the metal parts inside have rusted out and literally disappeared! We can no longer latch/unlatch the lid, which means we cannot rotate the drum to churn the compost! SAVE YOUR MONEY, dig a hole in the ground for your composting!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love this composter and wish I could give it 5 stars but in a couple years every metal part inside will be totally rusted and disintegrating. This is my 2nd one and I've seen how it goes. If I could find a better product with the large door I would buy it. Hoping they redesign before I need a new one. Also buying all the metal replacement parts is more expensive and a nightmare to replace.

Bought 4 years ago, the latch is completely rusted and it is no longer usable. A little ironic for something titled "lifetime" While the compost bin was functioning, it worked great! No big leaks, as long as it was in direct sunlight it cooked the compost perfectly. That's why I gave it three stars. I hope they have replacement parts.

Leaking, smelling, gnat attracting, cheap box

I bought this composter to replace another model that died after more than 10 years of use. Some people might argue that it didn't quite live up to its name, but it took a bear tossing it across the yard to break it. The bear didn't get into the composter, but the hinge for the lid was damaged enough that it stopped working - 3 years after the bear attack.

I bought a composter about 5 years ago. This year the hinge has rusted through. I emailed Lifetime to see where I could buy a part and to my surprise and delight, they are sending me a replacement to UK for nothing. Excellent support and will make me a repeat customer.