Creating heat pockets in compost heaps

[Primrose]

I came across somebody the other day who empties her kitchen waste crock pot into newspaper and wraps it up into parcels before puting it on (or burying it in) her compost heap. She has a theory that the rotting waste will heat up more quickly if kept insulated in a newspaper wrapping, especially at this time of year, and therefore help general decomposition take place more quickly.
Do anybody think there is any scientific basis for this practice?
I've started to try it, but only to discourage the rats from foraging in my open heap.

[Motherwoman]

Hi Primrose,

Haven't heard of that one before but I do put some paper products (cardboard, kitchen roll) in my rat-proof veggie waste composter as the red worms love the stuff and I get a better/quicker rot down than if I don't. The best thing ever for heating up (apart from manure) is wet straw. They used to use straw bales for growing cucumbers on with a manure topping. We had to let it heat up and then start to cool down before planting or it was too hot!

Motherwoman

[retropants]

hello Primrose!

all my kitchen fruit/veg/tea bags/egg shell waste ends up in newspaper parcels, because that is how they leave the kitchen, before going into my small compost container out side the back door, that I take to the allotment once a week. this gets emptied onto the compost heap there and left to it's own devices. We have rather splendid compost, even if I do say so myself!

[FelixLeiter]

I line my little kitchen waste receptacle with newspaper, to keep it sweet and to make emptying it simple. The paper does not stay dry. Newspaper only insulates while it is not wet, which it isn't once it's on the compost. No harm in it, though: it rots down lovely.