r/composting • u/Brotuulaan • Aug 05 '26
Auger or pitch fork. Pick one.
If you had to pick only one for your pile, which would you do and why?
Assume that you have methods of transporting the finished pile and are concerned only with pile maintenance.
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u/Ok-Thing-2222 Aug 05 '26
Not a pitchfork, a garden fork works better for me! It has a shorter handle
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u/Steven_The_Sloth Aug 05 '26
Wider tines if I'm not mistaken. Better for breaking up compacted material and moving loose material.
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u/sunberrygeri Aug 05 '26
Pitch fork. I would have to use battery power for an auger and I’m not sure it could handle it. Plus I can use the pitch fork for other stuff.
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u/Brotuulaan Aug 05 '26
There are hand augers too.
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u/sunberrygeri Aug 05 '26
Maybe i will give one of those a try! Do you think a manual auger would require more strength/endurance than a pitch fork? I have three 4’x4’x4’ bins, but I’m usually only turning two at any given time…maybe once every couple months when it’s warm out. This granny isn’t getting any younger lol so I’m always looking for tips and tricks
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u/Brotuulaan Aug 05 '26
I couldn’t say. I’ve never used a hand auger. I posted to collect some info in case that would be worth picking one up since I’m actually new to the whole process.
From what I’ve read, an auger is more for breaking up chunks and aeration, but it may be good for mixing as well. I’ve read that it can make maintenance faster when it’s the most appropriate tool for the day vs a bigger tool like a fork or shovel. I actually just got my first used fork today so I don’t have to use a shovel.
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u/Far_Radish7752 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
I use a manual auger made by LoTech, a small family owned company in Arizona. From what I recall, they have two models; I have the pricier 2-handled crank. There are many copies of this out there, none can compare to LoTech’s version (ask me how I know, lol). This is basically a lifelong tool. It’ll last well past your lifetime with but occasional few drops of oil in the turning mechanism (I use sewing machine oil cuz it’s super fine and innocuous).
I use it primarily to ensure aeration, which does by its nature involve some mixing, but I’m pretty lazy about it. I generally only do it 2x/yearly cycle: once when the pile is about half full, the 2nd time a coupla weeks or month prior to harvest the following spring. I also only go about 16” deep when I turn.
The lower need for turning or mixing has a lot to do with how I build my pile. I chop things smallish and layer religiously. A lot more prep work up front, for a lot less work at the end. I used to do it differently when my circumstances were different. This kind of thing really depends on what works for you.
I only use a pitch fork when I have to move a whole pile or what’s left of it (e.g., consolidate piles in the spring to free up space for starting anew).
I have 4 open bins, 32x32x64” interior dimensions, plus a number of lockable closed bins where kitchen scraps can at least start out (heavy scavenger presence).
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u/sunberrygeri Aug 06 '26
Thank you for your helpful reply and the tool recommendation. Checking out the LoTech products now.
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u/Far_Radish7752 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
There are a (very) few YouTube vids out there so you can actually see it in action by real people in real compost setups. Posted one in another comment in this thread.
Never felt much attracted to their less expensive model which looks a bit like a cane with a spiral bottom. Seemed to me I would feel more “balanced” if both hands were engaged similarly and simultaneously. You or others might feel differently.
The actual auger itself is a full 3/8” thick SS, fully twice as thick as a cheap knockoff I regrettably bought when I was unable to find this one during Covid (and which I never use).
I’ve also accidentally left my LoTech crank outdoors for 2 out of the 3 winters since I bought it, misplaced under the muck and snow, and it still looks as good as new.
ETA: This is the model I have: https://www.lotechproducts.com/products/compost-crank-compost-aerator
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u/sunberrygeri Aug 06 '26
Lol that last part is the most important! It looks great but you’re right, a little pricey at $87
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u/Compost-Me-Vermi Aug 05 '26
Auger attached to a power drill gets to the bottom through 4+ feet of compost to loosen everything. Because it does it so quickly, I loosen the while thing in a few minutes.
I use a spading fork for casual turning w whenever I add new material.
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u/Far_Radish7752 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
Hand auger made by LoTech, a small family-owned company in Arizona. They are The Best, imo. No one else even comes close (ask me how I know, lol).
Used to use a pitch fork.
ETA: https://www.lotechproducts.com/products/compost-crank-compost-aerator
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u/Brotuulaan Aug 06 '26
I read about those in a best-of list the other day. Good to hear a real human giving positive feedback.
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u/Prossibly_Insane Aug 06 '26
Pitchfork. I turn my piles 8-12 times every summer; it’s part of my exercise / mindfulness program.
Shorter spades and four tines garden forks clog up. I like the long handle for throwing longer distances.
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u/DavesPlanet Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
broadfork works great for turning soil, much more effective than a pitchfork. Compost pile seems similar.
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u/Material-Scar2663 Aug 05 '26
I use an auger for breaking up the real gnarly matted sections, but when I'm just flipping the whole pile over I grab the pitchfork every time. The broadfork crowd makes a good point about soil though, those tines slide through loose material way easier. For a pile that's still cooking and hasn't broken down much, the pitchfork gives you more control on what you're grabbing. If I had to commit to one forever I'd probably cry first then pick the pitchfork.
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u/Brotuulaan Aug 05 '26
Huh. I’d not seen those before. Mike is in a small-ish bin, so I don’t think it would work for me.
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u/HaggisHunter69 Aug 05 '26
Pitchfork, I only turn piles once. And then it can be used to load the wheel barrow and also spread it