The following trouble shooting chart is a guide to more efficient composting using a turning unit for more information check out our other links.
| Symptoms | Problem | Solution |
| The compost has a bad odor | Not enough air | Turn it |
| The center of the pile is dry | Not enough water | Moisten materials while turning the pile |
| The compost is damp & warm in the middle but nowhere else | Too small | Collect more material & mix the old ingredients into a new pile |
| The heap is damp and sweet-smelling but still will not heat up. | Lack of nitrogen | Mix in a nitrogen source like fresh grass clippings, fresh manure, or bloodmeal. |