Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Miscellany => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Pancho on 26 May, 2014, 06:02:07 pm

Title: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: Pancho on 26 May, 2014, 06:02:07 pm

I stuck a fork in one of mine today and it's hot, hot, hot.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2014, 06:07:48 pm

Wouldn't surprise me.

A small office block near here used a compost-driven heating unit for a couple of years.

With a suitable container you could probably cook lunch in yours.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: marcusjb on 26 May, 2014, 06:12:29 pm

I know the one at Kew Gardens (one of, if not the, largest in Europe apparently) can reach temperatures of well over 60 degrees in the middle. 

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: Basil on 26 May, 2014, 06:16:46 pm

Yes.  Happened to the Bournville one five or six years ago.
No actual flames obv, but whispy smoke for a few days.  Cured by the application of pee plus leaving the top off during a rain storm.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: woollypigs on 26 May, 2014, 06:25:41 pm

I have heard of it happening. I think it is very much like peat and my dad have tried to put out many peat fires over the years.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: Bledlow on 26 May, 2014, 11:56:49 pm

There was a big one burning in Beenham, in west Berkshire, for several months.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 May, 2014, 08:09:27 am

I've got rats living in mine.

Not for long though.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: SteveC on 08 July, 2014, 08:21:42 pm

The pineapple pit at Heligan was heated by rotting down horse manure. You can get a fair heat from rotting.
But I wouldn't expect a domestic sized heap to actually ignite.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: Ian H on 08 July, 2014, 10:26:25 pm

Quote from: marcusjb on 26 May, 2014, 06:12:29 pm

I know the one at Kew Gardens (one of, if not the, largest in Europe apparently) can reach temperatures of well over 60 degrees in the middle.

Those at Kew are drive-in enormous. The rats love them.

Nearest I have managed was last summer when I emptied what I thought were the dead remnants of a bonfire on to one of our heaps. It wasn't until the following day that I noticed wisps of smoke from the top of the garden.

Title: Re: Can compost heaps catch fire?
Post by: Poly Hive on 27 December, 2014, 03:27:13 pm

Yes they can as can hay stacks. Due to the dampness and the bacteria getting busy the temps can be astonishing. I measured one of mine at 160F. Mainly chickweed, hence lots of water so.....

PH