Convert a meshed bin into a composter

[Loren Ver]

Hey,

Last year I found this large metal bin. 
I want to convert it into a composter, but as someone that has not composted before, I have concerns if the mesh is going to make it non-functional.

Thoughts?  I would like to use it as is (after dealing with the paint), but if i need to cover some of the mesh, thoughts on how to do this cheap and easily would be appropriated. 

Thanks

[Loren Ver]

Hmm I failed my attachment check.  Let's try this again.

[Lulee]

Sorry, I'm not seeing the attachment.  But compost piles DO need plenty of air and ways for excess moisture to wick off so lots of people use mesh sided composters.  You can see in one or two of the small pictures in this Mother Earth News article (https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/home-composting-zmaz06onzraw) where they've used mesh.  In the picture in this other article, someone essentially is using a slotted crate (https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/how-to-compost-zmaz70ndzgoe).  My folks do the slatted side thing, or they did until it mostly rotted and fell away and now their pile is, well, a pile.

Again, not seeing the picture so it's hard to guess your intended set up, but if it were mine, I'd want to figure out how I was going to get in and turn the contents around every so often to help aerate and to keep things decomposing properly.  Some folks whose designs I've seen have the mesh or slatted walls set up in a U shaped rectangle and use the open side to allow them to use a rake, fork, spade, what-have-you give the compost a turning over every so often.  The open side just makes it easy to access all parts of the pile.  But it is a bit messier as stuff can spill out when the raccoons, skunks, bears, and other such critters come to check for food.

[Loren Ver]

Thank you for the reply. I think I got the image posted.  I can see it, I hope others can now too.

The reason I like this bin is because it is on an axle and can be easily turned.  So my concern comes from stuff falling out as it breaks down....

[Loren Ver]

maybe a smaller version will help.

[techwiz]

My 2 cents.
There might be an issue with rusting out, plastic would be a better option or making one out of wood, there are lots of DYI designs online. Ignoring the risk n rusting out it looks like that unit would work well as a composter. I would suggest painting it black to help it capture more sunlight as the heat would speed up the process of composting.