Compost rollers

I've been reading all the posts on composting. Much as I would love to start a compost pile, now that I'm ed-ja-kated, it's just not gonna happen where I live.

I do have 2 roller composters, though. One is a barrel-type lying horizontally on a frame with a pole through the middle. I've been adding as I go (I know, I know - not ideal, but it's what I have to do) and it just never finishes. So, I resurrected my other roller composter - this one is like a barrel, but more squat and it sits on a base on its side so that you roll it on little rollers on the base. So, my plan is to stop adding to my big roller, and now add to my little one only while I wait for the big one to hopefully finish. Once the big one is finished, I'll move the stuff from the small one to the big one (its easier to turn)...

So - my question is - has anyone actually had success with the barrel roller-type composters? I've read all the pros for the regular compost piles and would love to do it that way, but I can't. I just wonder if I'm spinning my wheels thinking I might actually get compost out of these contraptions...

Any input?

Thanks for your help!

I suspect somebody gets em to work, but not me (in fairness, I gave up after a couple of months). My compost barrel now serves as a storage container

I'm just glad I got mine for free (my neighbor tried it for a couple years before letting me give it a whirl).

So, we are 0 for 2 over here.

Well, I have one similar. It's a barrel that sits upright and tumbles on a stand. It has a "top" at both ends. I use it to add grass clippings and various kitchen items until it's about 3/4 full. Then I turn it a few times once a week - or whenever I happen to be in the area. In the fall I replace the grass with leaves. I dump it twice a year (at the end of the summer and beginning of summer). I would like to have a larger operation, but I just don't have the room.

Thanks for the input, TN_GARDENER!

So, it does work for you, then, Grandpop? That's good to know, at least.