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If you’re making a compost bin, you want it to be the best. After all, the result of all that effort should be a bin that costs less and works better than a comparable commercial product. However, just what makes a compost bin the best? Is it the materials, the size, the ventilation?

Is it the bin’s ability to exclude animals while providing a good environment for decay? The answers all depend on where you live, how much space you have your environmental conditions and what you need to compost. Just one type of bin isn’t going to be the best choice for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the factors you’ll need to pay attention to in order to get the best compost bin for you.

First, will you be composting a lot or a little? There’s a big difference in the amount of space you’re going to require in your composter if you need to deal with chicken bedding as opposed to how much you need to take care of vegetable scraps. How fast do you need your compost?

Are you going to be spreading it on your garden on a regular schedule, or is it just a way to get rid of organic material you don’t want to throw out? Compost bins above or below a certain size will tend to work less efficiently. The “sweet spot” is often described as being about three feet on a side, but this can vary by environment and the materials being composted. If you need your compost fast, a series of smaller bins might work more effectively for you.

Will the size of compost bin you need to deal with your organic waste be one that fits in the space you have available? Are there neighborhood regulations that will restrict you to a certain kind (closed or covered bins, for instance). This can seriously affect the best kind of bin for your purposes.

Next, take a look at your expertise, the cost involved, and what kind of materials you’ll need. There are some very simple bins that can be made pretty cheaply, but they’re not incredibly durable. This can be a bonus (snow fencing bins are easy to move, after all) or a problem (unless staked down, a light bin can blow over easily). A light weight bin can also be easier for animals to get into. If you have a lot of raccoons, dogs off the leash, or other roving animals in your area, you may need to secure the bin you build.

Climate will have an effect, too. There’s an ideal level of moisture for compost, and an ideal temperature. Most compost bin building guides assume a standard climate that’s anything but standard. If you live in a rainy, wet area like Portland, Oregon, you might have to build a roof over your compost bin to keep it from getting so soggy it won’t work properly. If you live in a desert area, such as the American Southwest, retaining water might be an issue. People in these types of areas have actually put bins below ground, with a waterproof liner in them, to keep from wasting water rewetting their compost again and again.

In the end, the best homemade compost bin is the one that works well for your situation. Take the time to check out all the options, think about your skill with building, and decide which bin meets your needs most effectively. That’s the best bin for you.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Compost Bins and the creator of Homemade Compost Bin 101. Visit these sites now to find more information about making your own compost bin.