Date: 18/04/2019 19:02:45
From: roughbarked
ID: 1376829
Subject: why does compost burn?
From: roughbarked
ID: 1376792
Subject: re: April Chat 2019
Cymek said:
roughbarked said: Tau.Neutrino said: Can superbugs and bacteria mutate that can then run at higher temperatures causing combustion of other material? You are asking me? We only know what superbugs can do, well after they have done something. However, this fire would be unlikely to have been done by collusion amongst superbugs. I’ve been making compost since I could walk and the only fire I’ve ever seen in a compost heap was that caused by mrs rb tossing the ashes from the fire on an open heap without sprinkling it with water. Busy lass, often rushing too fast to think. It is weird I’veI had huge piles of grass and I’ve seen them smoking and they are quite hot to touch but this is only a small black compost bin from Bunningsroughbarked said:
roughbarked said: Cymek said: It is weird I’veI had huge piles of grass and I’ve seen them smoking and they are quite hot to touch but this is only a small black compost bin from Bunnings I’d need to knnow what you were putting in it, whether you also added water or not and etcetera. I could suggest though that such bins work better in the shade of a tree. eg; if the bin wasn’t flat on the ground but was also moist and in the sun, air could possibly have fed a spontaneous combustion event..? http://compost.css.cornell.edu/physics.htmlCymek said:
roughbarked said: Cymek said: Mostly grass, some straw, rabbit poo, possible vegetable scraps and I water it once a week, haven’t done it in a while and I hardly ever turn it. It’s not in full sun either half in the shade Rabbit poo include paper? Some maybe, I usually take it out thoughroughbarked said:
Cymek said: roughbarked said: Paper should be OK as long as it isn’t excessive in the mix. I’ll look when I get home What Causes Overheated Compost Piles To Catch Fire? A rare combination of events can cause a compost pile to catch fire. These all must be met before the occasion arises. The first is dry, unattended material with pockets of debris mixed throughout that aren’t uniform. Next, the pile must be large and insulated with limited air flow. And, finally, improper moisture distribution throughout the pile. Only the largest piles, like those in commercial composting operations, are really in any danger if they are mismanaged. Key to preventing any issues is proper maintenance of your organic matter to prevent hot compost bins or piles. Read more at Gardening Know How: My Compost Is Too Hot: What To Do About Overheated Compost Piles https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/overheated-compost-piles.htmroughbarked said:
Tau.Neutrino said: roughbarked said: Could be should be would be, if only. I’ve never actually purchased or even manufactured a tumbler. In my early years living in a farmhouse with mrs rb, I was out of work because nobody wanted a watchmaker who lived in the widerness. I had part time work snigging out bins of rice from the harvest but work could not start until the moisture content of the rice was right, each day. So I’d fork all my compost over until the call came to jump on a tractor. Ten to fourteen days and my compost was rich friable eat your dinner off it clean and nutritious. 200 litre drum, cut door, fit hinges > mount on frame etc It isn’t difficult. I happen to be a watchmaker who can weld stuff from heavy steel down to very thin gold. but hey, Composting is similar to fuelling a wood stove. Warms you thrice. Exercise isn’t to be sneered at.