Pile runs above 70 °C

Core readings above 70 °C, a sharp smell of scorching, and visible white ash-grey microbial bloom.

One of thirty faults recorded at this bench · last reviewed 2026-09-18 · By The Compost Desk

01Symptom

Core readings above 70 °C, a sharp smell of scorching, and visible white ash-grey microbial bloom.

3 published logs ran into this — linked in section 04.

02Why it happens

Very large mass, high nitrogen and 55-60 % moisture together. Above 70 °C the useful thermophilic community dies off, nitrogen volatilises and the carbon you paid for is burned.

03What to do

01 Turn at 70 °C rather than waiting for the schedule.
02 Spread the pile out to cool for an afternoon if it exceeds 72 °C.
03 Reduce the nitrogen fraction in the next batch; a 30:1 pile is easier to control than a 20:1 one.
04 Do not compact or cover a pile that is already above 65 °C.

04Where this has come up in the logs

05Related logs

Every published log that touches this fault is already listed in section 04.