There is a lip on the inside of the door that gets weighed down with compost. Use a garden tool with a long handle or a pole and prop it under the handle of the Aerobin access panel. Put something under the handle about midway down the handle or pole to create a lever and push down and this will lift the access panel handle. The access panel should raise up about 1/2″. Pull out the bottom of the panel and it should pull away from the composter. You’ll want to put down a tarp or a large piece of cardboard in front the opening before you open the access panel to catch any of the loose compost.