Bokashi is a sealed-bucket fermentation method for kitchen scraps, including cooked food, meat and dairy. The bucket does not make finished compost: after fermentation, transfer the scraps to soil or an active compost system so they can break down.
What you need to start
- A tight-sealing bucket: A false bottom or drain tray helps keep scraps above collected liquid; a spigot makes draining easier. The key feature is a lid that seals securely between additions.
- Inoculated bokashi bran: The bran supplies the inoculant used in fermentation. Check its directions for the amount to use, since product instructions can vary.
- Food scraps and a way to press them: A plate or similarly snug object can help compress each layer and limit trapped air.
When comparing buckets, consider the seal, capacity, liquid-drainage design, ease of cleaning around the spigot and access to compatible bran. The cited practical guidance does not establish a current comparative price or brand ranking.
How to bokashi compost, step by step
- Set up the bucket. Place it somewhere convenient and use its false bottom, drain tray or absorbent material to manage liquid. Keep the lid closed whenever you are not adding scraps.
- Prepare the scraps. Add a range of kitchen food waste. Chop bulky pieces into smaller pieces so they pack more closely.
- Layer scraps with bran. The University of Saskatchewan recommends adding food waste in roughly one-inch layers and covering each with one to two tablespoons of inoculated bran. Use the bran supplier’s dosage if its directions differ. University of Saskatchewan, Bokashi composting (indoor method)
- Press and seal. Compress each addition to reduce air pockets, then close the lid tightly.
- Drain collected liquid. If your bucket has a spigot, check it every few days and drain accumulated liquid. Avoid letting excess liquid collect among the scraps.
- Let a full bucket ferment. Once the bucket is full, seal it and leave it undisturbed for at least about two weeks. A second bucket lets you keep collecting scraps while the full one rests. This is practical guidance, not a guarantee of an identical result in every setup.
- Finish the fermented scraps. Mix them into an active compost pile, or bury them in soil away from growing plants. Give them time to break down before planting directly above the material.
What can go in a bokashi bucket?
Bokashi can handle a broader range of food waste than many home compost piles. The University of Saskatchewan lists fruit and vegetable scraps, grain-based foods, coffee and tea waste, eggshells, meat, bones, dairy and cooked food; Washington State University Extension also describes cooked food, dairy, meat and small bones as suitable inputs. University of Saskatchewan guidance and Washington State University Extension, Kitsap County
- Use in moderation: Large amounts of liquid, oil or grease can make the bucket too wet. Very large bones take a long time to break down.
- Prepare bulky scraps: Chop large pieces and press layers firmly rather than leaving loose, air-filled pockets.
What happens after fermentation?
The bucket produces fermented pre-compost, not finished, soil-like compost. The Royal Horticultural Society puts it plainly: “As the product of bokashi is not fully broken down, it is not technically composting on its own.” Royal Horticultural Society, How to recycle food waste with bokashi
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- Excellent value on this complete bokashi starter kit. This kit provides everything you need to successfully begin bokashi composting in your home. Included is 1 x bokashi bin, 1 x 2.2 lb bag of premium bokashi bran, and our Complete Guide to Bokashi Composting.
- Using a single bokashi bin is an excellent composting option for kitchens that generate only smaller amounts of food waste. Note that for most households, our 2 BIN STARTER KIT would be the preferred choice, as using two bins allows you to continuously collect and ferment ALL of your food waste.
- This kit includes enough bran to ferment at least 6 full bokashi bins, which lasts a typical smaller kitchen about 9 months.
- This is a premium quality bokashi bin, custom made for us with a superior quality lid and spigot, ensuring that it is easier to use and durable enough to handle repeated use.
- Don’t be fooled by the slightly cheaper, Made in China copies of our bins! While they may look the same (just in a different color), the quality is inferior and they do not hold up over time.
Finish it in an active compost system
Stir the fermented scraps into an active compost pile. They need a further breakdown stage after leaving the bucket; the University of Saskatchewan gives two to six weeks as guidance for decomposition in soil or a compost system, not a universal timetable.
Bury it in soil
Bury the material away from plants because it is initially acidic. Allow a settling period before planting over it: the University of Saskatchewan describes six to eight weeks for its outdoor burial area, while the RHS advises around two weeks. These are different recommendations for their respective contexts, not one guaranteed interval for every soil and climate. For indoor use, the University of Saskatchewan also describes mixing the scraps into a large tub of soil.
Rank #2
- Bokashi Fermentation Principle: Our bokashi compost bin is designed based on the Bokashi fermentation principle. Our Bokashi bucket set are fully equipped, including 500g Bokashi bran, a small kitchen pail, as well as one presser, one bran shovel and one measuring cup, allowing you to easily handle various compost activities.
- Indoor Composter Large Capacity: Available in two capacities 18.8L and 20L. Bokashi composter provides ample space for your kitchen and food waste. This composter can store discarded fruit, vegetable scraps, meat, milk, ect, all kind of foods, saving you trips to the outdoor compost bucket or trash.
- Easily Extract Compost for Reuse: The bokashi composter allows you to extract nutrient-rich compost liquid (also known as "Bokashi Tea") using a convenient built-in tap. This nutrient solution can be diluted with water and used to fertilize indoor or outdoor plants.
- High Efficient: Made of HDPE & LDPE material. Start composting with this beginner friendly kit. Simply scrape food scraps into compost pail, sprinkle a layer of bokashi compost starter to reduce odor & break down food, then close the lid. Repeat at each meal.
- Shorten Your Composting Time: Create nutrient-rich compost in less than half the time. Utilizing effective fertilizers, the composting process allows you to create nutrient-rich compost in 1-2 months, compared to the standard 3-6 months required for traditional composting.
What should the bucket smell or look like?
A mildly sour, beery or vinegar-like smell when you open the bucket can be normal. White mold may also appear during successful fermentation. The RHS advises checking that the bucket seal is sound if you are concerned about the smell or appearance.
If the contents smell rotten or show dark mold
A rotten smell or widespread dark mold is a reason to troubleshoot; if the contents are clearly rotting or dark mold is widespread, the RHS advises restarting the batch.
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Rank #3
- Bokashi Fermentation Principle: Our bokashi compost bin is designed based on the Bokashi fermentation principle. Our Bokashi bucket set are fully equipped, including 500g Bokashi bran, a small kitchen pail, as well as one presser, one bran shovel and one measuring cup, allowing you to easily handle various compost activities.
- Indoor Composter Large Capacity: Available in two capacities 18.8L and 20L. Bokashi composter provides ample space for your kitchen and food waste. This composter can store discarded fruit, vegetable scraps, meat, milk, ect, all kind of foods, saving you trips to the outdoor compost bucket or trash.
- Easily Extract Compost for Reuse: The bokashi composter allows you to extract nutrient-rich compost liquid (also known as "Bokashi Tea") using a convenient built-in tap. This nutrient solution can be diluted with water and used to fertilize indoor or outdoor plants.
- High Efficient: Made of HDPE & LDPE material. Start composting with this beginner friendly kit. Simply scrape food scraps into compost pail, sprinkle a layer of bokashi compost starter to reduce odor & break down food, then close the lid. Repeat at each meal.
- Shorten Your Composting Time: Create nutrient-rich compost in less than half the time. Utilizing effective fertilizers, the composting process allows you to create nutrient-rich compost in 1-2 months, compared to the standard 3-6 months required for traditional composting.
- Too little bran: Add bran when layering, following the product directions.
- Large scraps or loose packing: Chop pieces smaller and press each addition firmly.
- A poor seal: Check that the lid closes securely and inspect the spigot for leaks.
- Excess moisture: Drain liquid more often and avoid adding large amounts of liquid, oil or grease.
- Unsuitable temperature: Move the bucket to a more suitable location. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality lists temperature, wetness, sealing and preparation among possible odor or mold causes. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Compost Guide: Troubleshooting
How to handle bokashi liquid
Liquid drained from the bucket is sometimes called bokashi tea or leachate. Guidance on dilution for plant use differs: Arizona DEQ’s bokashi guidance gives a 1:100 ratio, while the RHS gives 1:10. Because those recommendations are not uniform, follow the instructions for your system and local gardening guidance rather than treating either ratio as universal. Both sources also describe undiluted liquid for drain maintenance, but that is separate from finishing the fermented scraps. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Bokashi and Royal Horticultural Society
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Successful bokashi composting needs 2 bins, to allow you to continuously collect and ferment ALL of your food waste. This is why our 2-bin kit is ideal for households new to bokashi composting.
- Included are 2 x bokashi bins, 2 x 2.2 lb bags of premium bokashi bran, and our Complete Guide to Bokashi Composting.
- Don’t be fooled by the slightly cheaper, Made in China copies of our bins! While they may look the same (just in a different color), the quality is inferior and they do not hold up over time.
- These are premium quality bokashi bins, custom made by us with superior quality lids and spigots, ensuring that they are easier to use and durable enough to handle repeated use. We back this up with the industry’s only 1 year warranty on all parts and components.
- This starter kit provides everything you need to successfully begin bokashi composting in your home.
Rank #4
- DOUBLE THE COMPOSTING. With two 5-gallon compost containers and a 5 lb (2 gallon) bag of Bokashi compost starter, our simple kit is ready for large families or groups to start composting: no assembly required. Two composter kits means that when the first gets filled you can set it aside – while you fill your second. And our 5 lb bokashi is double the size of our standard so it will keep you composting longer.
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