Caring for your bokashi: draining the liquid, cleaning the bin, and getting ready for the next cycle

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A bokashi needs very little maintenance, but it does need some: draining the liquid regularly. That one habit makes all the difference between a bin with a pleasant pickle smell and a bin that turns into a swamp. Add to that a quick cleaning between cycles and an occasional check of the seal and the spigot.

Here's when and how to drain depending on your model, what to make of a bin that produces no liquid, and how to clean and prepare the bin for the next cycle.

Why drain regularly

As food scraps ferment, they release a liquid that drips down below the grate. If you let it build up, it eventually rises to the scraps at the bottom. Those scraps then sit in the liquid, and lactic fermentation may give way to rotting: unpleasant odors, mold, slimy contents.

Excess moisture is in fact the most common cause of smelly bins. Draining keeps the scraps "dry" above their liquid, so fermentation goes smoothly.

Key takeaways

The liquid should never touch the food scraps. Regular draining keeps the bottom of the bin dry and the fermentation on track.

How often should you drain?

Reliable sources agree: every two to three days, and at least twice a week. Adjust based on what you observe:

• more often if you add lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, which release a lot of liquid, and in summer;
• less often with drier leftovers (bread, rice, pasta, paper towels), and in winter, when the cold reduces liquid production.

Keep draining during the two-week resting period once the bin is full. You don't need to open the lid: the spigot, plug, or drawer is all you need.

The collected liquid is best used within 24 to 48 hours, always diluted, at the base of your plants. All the dilution guidelines are in our guide on bokashi liquid: dilution, uses, and limits.

The right technique for each model

With a spigot (Confort, Essential)

Place a glass or small jar under the spigot, open it, let it run until the last drop, then close it tightly. A spigot left slightly open lets air in and liquid out. On the Essential, the bin sitting on its base drains directly into the collection drawer.

With a plug (Organko 2)

Set the bin at the edge of the countertop or sink, put a container underneath, unscrew the plug, and let it drain. Screw it back in all the way. If the plug gets damaged or lost, it's available as a replacement part: the Organko 2 plug.

With a drawer (Urbalive)

Gently pressing the clear drawer makes the liquid flow; when you remove it, the automatic spigot closes by itself. The drawer only holds about 8.5 fl oz (0.25 liters), so empty it often.

Without a spigot (homemade bin)

Lift the upper, perforated bucket without opening the lid, empty the lower bucket, then put everything back. If you can't drain, absorbent materials at the bottom (newspaper, torn egg carton) will soak up some of the liquid.

Emy's tip

After each draining, wipe the spigot or the rim of the plug with a damp cloth: a single forgotten drop of liquid is enough to attract fruit flies.

No liquid at all: is that normal?

Yes, very often. A new bin can take one to two weeks, or even longer, before producing its first drops. The amount depends mainly on what you put in: lots of liquid with fruits, vegetables, and peels, very little with bread, starchy foods, or cooked leftovers. There's less in winter, too.

As long as the smell stays sour and pleasant, a bin that produces little liquid isn't a problem. If, on the other hand, you see condensation under the lid, that's a sign the contents are too wet: drain more often and add something dry, such as a little activator or a piece of egg carton.

Cleaning the bin between cycles

The bin is empty, and its contents have gone to the garden or the compost pile. Before filling it again:

1. Scrape off any residue stuck to the bottom and the grate, and add it to the emptied contents.
2. Rinse the bin, the grate or strainer, and the compactor in hot water, using a brush. Take out the grate to clean underneath.
3. Clean the spigot or plug: run water through it to flush out any deposits that could clog it. On the Urbalive, rinse the fabric filters too.
4. Leave the bin open to dry, ideally outdoors. A few hours outside, in the shade or gentle sunshine, is enough to get rid of the smell.

There's no need to disinfect: the bin will host a new fermentation anyway. Our instructions recommend rinsing with water, without detergent or soap, and that's what we advise for everyday use. If a more thorough cleaning is needed, a little mild dish soap is fine, as long as you rinse thoroughly: product residue could disrupt the microorganisms of the next cycle. Avoid bleach and scented products entirely. According to the manufacturer, Skaza bins, such as the Essential, are dishwasher-safe up to 131 °F (55 °C), or on an eco cycle.

Did you know?

A properly used bokashi bin stays clean: the acidic environment created by lactic acid bacteria holds back rotting. A simple rinse is almost always enough.

Caring for the seal, spigot, and parts

• The seal and the rim of the lid: a crumb or bit of residue on the seal is enough to let air in. Wipe them from time to time, and whenever scraps have spilled over.
• The spigot: over time or during shipping, it can work loose and leak where it joins the bin. To tighten it, hold the nut on the inside and turn the spigot by its body. Test it now and then with a little water, with the spigot closed.
• The strainer and the grate: check that they aren't cracked. For the Essential, a replacement strainer is sold separately.

These checks take a minute at each change of cycle and prevent most odor and leak problems.

Getting ready for the next cycle

Once the bin is dry and reassembled, sprinkle a little activator on the grate before the first layer of food scraps: this gets fermentation going right from the bottom of the bin. Check that the spigot or plug is properly closed, then get back into your usual routine: a layer of scraps, activator, press down, lid.

If, despite good maintenance, your bin smells bad or gets covered in colored mold, see our guides on bad odors, too much liquid, fruit flies and mold in bokashi. And if your bin is showing signs of wear, our guide to choosing a bokashi composter presents our different models.

In summary

Drain the liquid every two to three days, more often with fruits and vegetables or in summer, including during the full bin's resting period. A bin that produces little liquid is nothing to worry about if the smell stays sour; condensation under the lid, on the other hand, signals excess moisture. Between cycles, scrape, rinse with hot water, clean the spigot, and leave to dry, without bleach or scented products. A quick check of the seal and spigot each cycle, and your bin will serve you well for years to come.

Related products

Best Seller

Bokashi EM compost activator | 1 kg bag

Sold individually or in sets of 2 or 3 bags

$8.02 €7.18

Urbalive Bokashi Composter

2.8-gallon (10.6-liter) capacity, sold individually or as a set of 2

$73.50 €65.83

Skaza Essential Bokashi Composter

4-gallon (15.3-liter) capacity, set of 2 buckets

$71.65 €64.17

Bokashi Composter Skaza Organko 2

2.5-gallon (9.6 L) capacity, sold individually or as a set of 2

$75.35 €67.49

Other topics in the guide

Vermicomposting30 fact sheets →Composting25 fact sheets →EM microorganisms26 fact sheets →