Hot composting

Hey guys,

I’m building a large composting bay from cypress timber to make my hot compost in. I planned to have lids on hinges to keep it covered as we get a lot of rain where I am. My question is- do I need to have some open space for air ventilation or is it ok to have it totally sealed up? I’m scared it’s going to catch in fire or something 😂

Cheers, Sam

Sam, welcome to the forum!  See Joe Jenkin's response to Xavier's email posted at the bottom of this post here that answers your question at least in part.  To Joe's point, Elaine Ingham says the temperature vs pathogen curve still applies whether compost is aerobic or anaerobic.

In my training with Elaine she also indicated that it is possible for compost piles to ignite if its producing alcohol and reaches something like 170F or 180F when it gets turned.  That is more of a risk for municipal scale composting operations.  Not only is it hard to get the temperature that hot, you wouldn't want it to be that hot from a compost quality perspective.  You can always monitor the temperature and turn it if it starts to get above 155F or so.  Do you plan on continuing to add to it?  Or turn it?  What will you be composting?