Question 1

What to do if there’s white mould growing in my bokashi bin?

Accepted Answer

This is good news. The white mould is actually a fungi and shows that the food waste is fermenting rather than putrefying. Fermentation is precisely what you want in your bokashi bucket. So, if you see white mould on your bokashi food waste, you can be confident that all is well in your bokashi bucket.

Question 2

What to do if...... There’s blue and black mould in my Bokashi Bin bin.

Accepted Answer

The best way to deal with this is to throw the whole batch away. The problem is caused by one of three things:

You have added really mouldy food into your kit.
You haven’t added enough Bokashi Bran.
There is too much moisture in the bin so the liquid needs draining.

Question 3

What to do if there are maggots or insects in my Bokashi Bin.

Accepted Answer

Obviously these must have entered on your food waste in some form so the first step is to add your food waste more regularly to avoid this issue. If they are there the best option is to bury the whole lot in your soil and restart.

Question 4

What to do if my Bokashi Bucket Smells?

Accepted Answer

If your kit begins to smell add a good handful more of Bokashi Bran as it is likely the waste is putrifying rather than fermenting. It does usually have quite a strong smell of fermentation when you empty your bucket so before you restart a good swill out with water is best – then once you have the lid on again all will be well.

Question 5

What to do if my Bokashi Liquid smells?

Accepted Answer

This liquid is a very potent fertiliser or drain cleaner and it can have a really strong smell so the best way to avoid this is to drain it regularly and use it. Pour bokashi tea directly into toilets, sinks and drain to disinfect these areas. To use as a fertiliser dilute 2 teaspoons of Bokashi tea with 1.5 Litres of water, apply it to the soil of your plants once a week, avoid touching the leaves as it could cause burning.

Question 6

What exactly is Bokashi composting?

Accepted Answer

Bokashi composting is an anaerobic (oxygen-free) process that uses beneficial microbes to ferment food waste. Instead of decomposing in a traditional way, the waste is pickled using Bokashi bran, which contains microorganisms like lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The result is pre-compost—an ideal material for enriching soil once buried or processed further. Unlike standard composting, it handles all kinds of food waste, including meat, fish, and dairy, making it an excellent solution for reducing kitchen waste efficiently and without the mess.

Question 7

Can I put anything in my Bokashi bin?

Accepted Answer

Not quite anything, but almost! You can add:

Cooked and uncooked food waste: Vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, and even eggshells.

Leftovers: Including those greasy scraps that wouldn’t normally go in a traditional compost heap.

Avoid:

Liquids: Oil, milk, or excessive sauces can interfere with fermentation.

Large bones: These take ages to break down.

Non-food items: Stick to kitchen scraps—no paper, plastic, or garden waste.

Wiggly tip: Chop larger items into smaller pieces to help the microbes do their work more efficiently.

Question 8

Does Bokashi smell?

Accepted Answer

No. Bokashi waste smells pleasantly tangy—like pickled vegetables or cider vinegar. This is a sign that fermentation is working. If it does smell rotten or putrid, it’s usually because too much liquid has built up, or the lid hasn’t been sealed tightly enough. Drain the liquid regularly and ensure the bin is airtight for the best results.

Question 9

Do I need a lot of space for a soil factory?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! A soil factory can be as compact as you like. A large plastic storage tub with a tight-fitting lid works brilliantly and can be kept in a corner of your garden, greenhouse, or even on a balcony. If you’ve got space for a couple of bins, you can set up a rotation system to keep things running smoothly. It’s perfect for those with limited outdoor space or urban gardeners.

Question 10

Can Bokashi composting reduce methane emissions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, massively! Traditional food waste in landfill decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), producing methane—a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than CO₂. Bokashi composting prevents this by fermenting waste instead of letting it rot. The process creates organic acids instead of methane, making it a climate-friendly solution for food waste management.