I had an aha! moment over breakfast this morning. I've struggled to keep the dogs out of the food portion of the compost pile in the back yard, and remembered a friend taking an industrial barrel (I gave him several extras that another friend gave me) and drilling it with holes around and using it for this kind of compost. I don't have any more of those barrels that aren't already in use somewhere else, but I just remembered a large Rubbermaid lidded trash can that came from my dad's house many years ago. I think he stored bulk foodstuffs in it (to keep out mice), and I stored coastal hay in it until a couple of years ago when I phased it out of both garden and dog stall use. I can drill holes in it and easily open, fill, and close it. The holes all around are to drain, but also to let in air, and it is shifted/rolled on edge periodically to turn over the contents. Much easier than one of those fancy garden appliances that cost a small fortune. Once the contents are broken down enough it can be poured onto the regular compost. Some weeds and grass can be added periodically to bulk it up.

Another problem solved without spending any money to do it.