Just so happens I am building a compost pile right now. Usually use old wood pallets but this time decided to make it more permanent So I am using leftover cinder blocks...I use kitchen scraps, grass clippings, aged horse manure, etc...When the compost is ready I mix into the sandy soil of my garden. Never tried the barrel method. Just always out in the yard With access to water. Even bought a long thermometer to check internal temp so it cooks quickly. I have never met anyone who had much success using the barrel method.

I save my coffee grounds and spray upon my lawn when I have a about a pound or so.

Seems to help, I do not do it during the summer.

I bought one of those countertop composter, what a joke, leaks and stinks up the kitchen!!!

One of Ophra BS deals from the view!!!

I put it outside a worthless piece of garbage!!!

I just visited Melissa the "worm woman" of Broward county (Southeast) Florida. She is a real expert - she got a grant out of college to go in to the earthworm-compost business...so if anyone is interested in getting shipments of earthworms. Compost tubes that she makes them herself out of PVC...if you don't want to buy the actual tube I'm sure she'll send you directions.

It's actually earning her a living here in Florida!

If you're interested, PM me? Thanks. (3 pics, one of Melissa "in action" digging her worm compost, the 2nd is some art work in her garden...the third is me, and her and some friends holding one of her compost/earthworm tubes)

I got one like this about 5 years ago. [envirocycle.com]

I bought a couple of Rubbermaid storage containers - the size of steamer trunks - with hinged lids. I drilled holes in the bottoms to let liquid escape. I turn the contents with a pitchfork.

I also made a rectangular unit out of "hardware cloth" (thin wire mesh). It works very well for the leaves I rake up in the fall.

Once I had a large plastic sphere with small holes in it. The idea is to fill it with stuff to compost and roll it every once in awhile. It always got too heavy too soon for me.

Now I just make two piles and turn them once in awhile.

I have in the past. At one time the city of Seattle sold 'green cones.' I bought a couple of extra ones and have 2 on my present property. Since there's just me I barely make enough to fill one.
Several years ago my lat partner got really excited about composting and I built a large worm bin. She even went to the local grocery and picked up food items that were expired and to be tossed. We filled up that bin in a hurry. Now the garden is hardly used. I also have a tall, round unit with lots of holes. This is mainly for 'green' compost as leaves and weeds. It does get used.

One thing around here are composting toilets. On Patos island which is a state park with a lighthouse there is a double and single composting toilet. They are great, roomy, no smell and lots of light. Waste gets separated (liquid-solids. Once a year the rangers remove the solid tanks and place them in a storage place for 3 years. It is then used on the island. In our local labyrinth there is also a small composting toilet with cedar chips instead of water. Again, bucket removed and stored and then spread in the woods.

I have one with small holes thru out it for air circulation. Mine doesn't allow the mice to get in it. Picked it up at Lee valley here in Canada.

I have a huge pile of stuff out back, do absolutely Nothing to it, dig out from under to get great dirt

I cheated , I use a couple of large trash bins , and put in both the weeds and a few earth worms . go wormies , go ! ! !

Yes I agree with Wangobango3 the rotating barrels may work well, but if not then you would be better with any sort of bin, the bigger the better. The more vollume you can pile up the better it works, especially if you can keep it loose and moist but not wet, turning is almost magically good and pleasant exersize for the body too.