Re: TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer

Mimi2 4/30/2017, 7:00 pm

Hi TD- What do you use to sift your compost?

**trolleydriver** 4/30/2017, 7:37 pm

newbeone wrote:What is that white stuff?

Do you mean this white stuff? That would be snow back in December.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_3347_zpsc2o0qirr

**trolleydriver** 4/30/2017, 7:40 pm

Mimi2 wrote:Hi TD- What do you use to sift your compost?

Mimi ... I made a wooden frame out of 2x4s and then put hardware cloth on the frame. The frame then goes on top of a wheelbarrow which catches the sifted compost.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_1571_zpspjzc4p8t

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_1571_zpspjzc4p8t

**trolleydriver** 5/2/2017, 11:43 am

This is the temperature inside the "leftovers" pile from sifting the plastic bin and hardware cloth bin. The temperature is staying around 68F. It needs a boost.
TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_3679_zpsqtrtumt2

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_3679_zpsqtrtumt2

And here is the temperature inside the 3x3x3 bin which has not yet been disturbed. It's still suffering from the winter freeze. Temperature is 40F.
TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_3681_zpsvb4qz52d

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 IMG_3681_zpsvb4qz52d

**sanderson** 5/3/2017, 3:35 am

So that's what a shiny new compost thermometer looks like! Mine is getting hard to read.

**trolleydriver** 5/3/2017, 2:54 pm

The temperature in the "leftovers" pile has climbed from 68F to 75F. The only thing I have done is sifted and fluffed the material.

I'll have to rebuild the SoilSaver plastic bin soon with some of the leftover material and other stuff. The reason is that I need a place to put our kitchen scraps which have been accumulating in a city recycle bin for the past week or so.

**trolleydriver** 5/4/2017, 5:19 pm

I refilled the SoilSaver plastic compost bu with leftovers from screening that bin and the hardware cloth bin. I layered in stuff from our friend's chicken coop, coffee grounds and filters, blood meal, kitchen scraps. I'm uncertain about the current ratio of browns to greens so will have to see if it heats up.

The starting temperature in the SoilSaver pile is 60F which is the same as the ambient outdoor temperature. I'll start to graph the temperature. This is a small pile so it probably will not heat up as well as a larger pile.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Compostlogo2

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Compostlogo2

**trolleydriver** 5/5/2017, 1:37 pm

The temperature in the SoilSaver bin has gone from 60F to 70F in less than a day even though it was very cold (down to almost freezing) overnight and the current outdoor temperature is only 46F.

**trolleydriver** 5/6/2017, 12:44 pm

The SoilSaver bin is now at 78F which is an 18F increase in two days. Another couple of degrees and it will be into the "Steady" green zone on the compost thermometer.

At the current temperature the mesophilic bacteria are working. Above 100F the thermophilic bacteria take over.

https://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm

**trolleydriver** 5/7/2017, 3:27 pm

The SoilSaver bin is at 84F with an ambient outside temperature of only 40F, with below freezing coming overnight with a chance of snow flurries.

**trolleydriver** 5/8/2017, 2:01 pm

Quite cold here ... even snow flurries. The temperature in the SoilSaver has not changed over the past 24 hours. In addition, I dug some fresh kitchen scraps into the middle of it. So I don't think I'll bother posting temperature updates for this pile. I'll just let it do it's slow cold composting thing.

**sanderson** 5/10/2017, 3:46 am

The dimensions are a little small to achieve a hot compost. Cool composts are good, too. Wink

PS, I am also having trouble reaching lift off with my rebuilt pile, even though it is 3'x3'x3' and has blood meal. First time having this problem in 3 years.

**trolleydriver** 5/11/2017, 2:11 pm

I've rebuilt my 3x3x3 pile with leftovers from screening last year's material, chicken coop pickings, freshly mowed grass clippings, coffee grounds and filters, chopped up leaves saved from last Fall and a small amount of blood meal.

Starting temperature of the pile is 58F with an outside ambient temperature of 51F. I attribute the higher temp in the bin compared to outside to the fact that the "leftovers" from last year already had a bit of heat. Hoping for some good results from this pile since I need more good compost.

FWIW the temperature in the SoilSaver bin is at 78F which is down from the previous 84F recorded on May 7.

**trolleydriver** 5/13/2017, 11:44 am

The 3x3x3 bin is now at 78F which is an increase of 20 degrees from the starting temperature two days ago. At this stage the mesophile bacteria are at work. It still has a way to go to get to the thermophile bacteria stage.

The SoilSaver bin is at 106F which is an increase of 28 degrees from two days ago. It is at or near the low end of the thermophilic range.

**trolleydriver** 5/14/2017, 4:59 pm

Bin #1 (3x3x3) now at 95F and Bin #2 (SoilSaver) is at 120F.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin1-210

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin2-210

**sanderson** 5/15/2017, 4:31 pm

Can you add a red dot or something when ever you turn them to introduce more oxygen?

**trolleydriver** 5/15/2017, 4:41 pm

sanderson wrote:Can you add a red dot or something when ever you turn them to introduce more oxygen?

I'll try to indicate that on the graphs.

Here are today's temperatures and graphs. Bin #1 (3x3x3) is at 110F (the Active zone) and Bin #2 (SoilSaver) is at 131F (just into the Hot zone). Both bins should have thermophile bacteria active at this time. Lookin' good.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Img_3713

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Img_3713

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin1-211

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Img_3714

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin2-211

**sanderson** 5/15/2017, 9:49 pm

What happened on 5/11 for #2 to increase in temp?

Time to turn #1. Twisted Evil

**trolleydriver** 5/15/2017, 10:00 pm

sanderson wrote:What happened on 5/11 for #2 to increase in temp?

Time to turn #1.

The only thing I can think of for #2 is that I may have added some more kitchen scraps. I usually make a hole in the middle, push the scraps down into the hole and then cover up the scraps.

You are right about bin #1. If I recall correctly, true hot composting requires an initial turning after or on day 5 followed by turning every two days after that. Not sure I have time and energy for that right now. Need to focus on building a new bed and getting things planted.

**sanderson** 5/16/2017, 3:31 am

For the Berkeley method, turn on the 4th day, or before if it reaches 160*F.

I should speak. I restarted my winter pile 17 days ago and have turned it only 3 times. I finally turned it the 3rd time this evening. It finally reached 125*F which is cold for the Berkeley method. I think it is staying low because it was partially composted when I rebuilt it. First time I have done this.

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2017, 8:08 am

I was hoping Bin #1 would heat up more before I turned it. I'll see how it does today and then decide.

I've also been thinking of visiting a nearby craft brewery to see if I can get some of their spent grains for composting. Maybe worth a try.

has55 5/16/2017, 10:14 am

great sale on compost items such as compost thermometers, etc...
grow organic.com

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2017, 10:17 am

has55 wrote:great sale on compost items such as compost thermometers, etc...
grow organic.com

Whatever you do don't buy this compost bin. I obtained a used one from a neighbor and I hated it. It was very difficult (heavy) to turn once you got it partially filled with damp material. Really bad design as far as I am concerned.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 New_0004-edit

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 New_0004-edit

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2017, 1:00 pm

Bin #1 122F (up 12F) - if I have time I'll turn the contents later today.
Bin #2 131F (no change) - I added a note to the graph re work on the bin today after the temperature reading was taken.

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin1-212

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin1-212

TrolleyDriver's Compost Thermometer - Page 8 Bin2-212

**sanderson** 5/16/2017, 3:22 pm

trolleydriver wrote:Whatever you do don't buy this compost bin. I obtained a used one from a neighbor and I hated it. It was very difficult (heavy) to turn once you got it partially filled with damp material. Really bad design as far as I am concerned.

Just looking at the design, it looks like the material just dumps from one end to the other. No mixing and poor internal aeration. Thank you for your evaluation.

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