Okay. Right now I have a basic composter. It was free. The Earth Machine. Well, I keep adding organic material. I keep turning it. I make sure it is damp. The pile keeps shrinking. Yet, no finished compost!

Hmmm... What am I doing wrong?

I read in a few articles that the bin should be 3' cubed and nicely aerated. The Earth Machine is roughly 3' x 2.5' x 2.5'. There are some air holes.

Maybe I need a bigger bin!

I would like to build a wooden bin. Pallets or pressure treated planks? Floor or no floor? Wooden with wire mesh sides?

My brain is composting with all this info! Help!

By the way, how do you acquire these wooden pallets that I read are so easy to come by?

I like this design. With the floor, it's a stand alone bin that can be added to and taken away without interfering with the other bins. The floor keeps rats out and provided additional aeration,

These bins can easily be made from pallets at a very low cost.

Well, I keep adding organic material. I keep turning it. I make sure it is damp. The pile keeps shrinking. Yet, no finished compost!

I think you'll need to stop adding materials if you want to let it finish. Also, I understand pressure treated wood should not be in contact with the ground generally, so I assume it's not a good choice for a compost bin.

I got pallets for free and wrapped the inside of the bin with chicken wire. If cinder blocks or straw bales or something else were free I'd have used those instead, would have saved the cost of the fencing.

nygardener - The pile doesn't smell, it smells nice and 'earthy'. I am conscious of the mix and keep a stockpile of browns for throughout the seasons.

I have been able to get some pallets. Should I attach the hardware mesh on the inside (technically the bottom side of the pallets) to keep animals out and put a mesh, hinged lid on the top?

I have seen some real elaborate set-ups, but do not want to go entirely overboard right now.

This pallet/mesh bin set-up can also be free standing? Meaning I do not have to secure any 4'x4's into the ground? I think I would use the 4' green fence stakes in the corners to keep it somewhat in place.

Thanks any additional help!

The simpler people make composting the more likely it is they will continue. Make it difficult and it's a chore many will not keep doing. Best to find what suits you and you will be successful.

It is often quoted, probably because it is easy to remember.

It is the Minimum size for good heat retention.

I use a round mesh bin resting on the ground, 4' in diameter and either 24" or 30" high.

Materials may also determine the best width (or depth and width if you have a square bin). If you use a lot of sawdust, then 3' or (3'x3') might be best. If your primary brown is shredded leaves, then 4' (or 4'x4') might be best. If your main brown is large-ish wood chips, then 5' (or 5'x54').

The height does not have to match the other dimensions. The dirt under the pile acts as heat storage. I do think the min height would be about 24". Keep in mind that the pile shrinks a lot.

I also would like a lid on it to keep the tree rats and other critters from stealing the good stuff. You know what I mean?

Also, if I do put a lid on it, I do not want to locate it in a conspicuos place. Maybe lattice around it will help with that?

I have a steel garage/shed where the current composter is now. Would it be safe to locate a pallet made bin next to the garage/shed? I do not want any critters or bugs (i.e. termites)taking up residence in there as I do have wood inside the garage/shed.

robertz6~ You said, "The dirt under the pile acts as heat storage." I have a pallet on the bottom because I thought it would help with aeration. Would it be better if I remove the pallet? This is my first attempt at composting, so any ways to make it easier... ya' know?

So my bin --a 4' diameter mesh bin either 24" or 30" high bin sitting on the ground is easier to turn.

To get the same heat retention in your bin --- add 6" air space +36" to 42" high = 42" to 48". Would you rather turn a 30" pile or a 42 to 48" high pile?

I was able to get a bunch free where I work - the loading dock area accumulates them, and if people didn't take them, I'm not sure what happens. I've seen them at almost any type of manufacturing facility too.

Our pile is staying quite warm in the middle - I don't have a thermometer to use, but I know that it's uncomfortable to leave my hand in there for a long period of time. We are always on the lookout for more "browns" - we have trees in the backyard, but way more lawn (3/4 acre) that generates clippings than we have dry leaves to keep up. So I have some "side piles" of just grass clippings that we're using for mulch in the garden (the piles are turned frequently to speed the drying process and reduce the stink) as well as waiting to add into the compost pile.

My daughter just started horse riding lessons a month or so ago, and the stable said that we can have all the old (i.e. pre-composted) manure we want! So each week I fill 2 trash cans while she's riding, to help add organics (I've got a clay+manure pile going separately from the compost - we plan to use that stuff around the yard in flower beds etc initially as we have bad clay problem almost everywhere, then sprinkle w/compost as needed)