I've used the perforated PVC pipe down the middle trick before and it works fine though I don't think it was all that important to do it. I just use piles with no fancy air induction now and they work fine as long as they are turned when the temperature of the pile begins to fall.

My compost thermometer is a very usefull tool for pile management.

I have several large pvc pipes, with many drilled holes, vertically situated in two compost piles ( 4 x 4 x 5). Additionally, every few days I've used a piece of rebar to punch more holes into the piles. I have a two foot compost thermometer to gauge what is happening deep in the pile. The temps have stayed above 140 degrees for about a month and the piles continue to experience considerable shrinkage.

In the past, I turned the piles. However, since I had too much stuff to compost and not enough space, I've tried the nonturn protocol. So far, so good but the proof will be in the pudding (compost) when I spread it this fall.

Numbers of people do put "chimneys" in their compost piles, but all the research I've seen says that compost piles smaller then 6 feet by 6 feet will move sufficient air with no aides providing the material in the pile is not too wet. What I have seen over the years is that when a "chimney" is needed to improve air flow through a compost pile the material is just too wet and water excludes air.

This is a site that deals with the issue of air circulation in compost piles. Most home piles are probably somewhat aerobic but to know exactly, one would need an oxygen or CO2 meter. Just like a thermometer is needed to know the temperature. What percentage of home composters have a thermometer let alone an oxygen or CO2 meter.

Click on the Research & Development link on the left.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mother Nature's Farms

I tried the sticks and brush on the bottom of the pile and found it to be of questionable benefit. Also it made turning the pile with a pitchfork less than enjoyable. That was my first pile and after the first 2 turnings I removed all of the sticks/branches that I could.

I can't say that I would recommend it unless one was building a pile that isn't going to get turned.

This came up on a GW Compost thread a few weeks ago. If you have a large pile (and I would define large as larger than a 5'by5' by 3' high pile), the answer may be yes.

If you have a pile from 3'by'3by 2' high to 5'by5'by 3'high, I would say no. You wrote 'hot pile', and I get a max core temp of 160 to 165F in two to three days. In about three days the pile needs both air and moisture, so just adding air won't be enough, you will very soon need water as well. So my philophy is to just turn the pile as needed, and not build in PVC piping or other complexity.

Thanks for all the answers & info. We're composting both to amend gardens & for ecology reasons. We've had standard cold bins for years. That website was great, Cowgirl2 - thanks!

We're gadget geeks, so of course we had to have a composting thermometer. I bought ours at our local Agway (farm and garden store) and it's about 18-24" long. Core temps only got to 112 after the first four days, so I worked hard to scrounge more greens, turned the pile, and added them. I got so excited when core temps measured 150 last night - about 36 hours after I turned & added greens. And all of a sudden, the volume noticeably dropped.

Depending on how intrigued my husband gets with the idea of having a CO2 or O2 meter, I can see him either getting one or making one. (I joke not - ever heard of Make magazine? He's a fan.) I'm aware of the aerobic/anaerobic issue with water, and have been monitoring the moisture level by touch when I turn it. We have a tarp for cover, if needed.

I am enjoying turning the pile so far - good exercise, and I love the smell of compost (more and more so as it's bubbling away), so my plan for now is to turn it 2x/week. When we're on vacation that won't happen (imagine the conversation with the pet sitter!).

My husbund built three attached units about 3.75 x 3.75 by 3.25 feet. The size had to do with the leftover & scrounged materials he had available.

I think I'm going to try it without the pesky sticks - I'll take them out when I turn it next. I'm hoping to have enough greens soon to build another pile and I'll make it without sticks to compare. But maybe a PVC pipe or sticks when we're on vacation, for a little boost?

Thanks again!

Twice a week, you go! I only have enough time and energy to turn it about once every two weeks! It IS a lot of work! :)