Iain,
doubt there is a 'best' each to his/her own.
I use home built wooden bins from Forklift Pallets, they hold +/- 1 cu mtr (or cu yard). Four pallets stood on edge, with the slats horizontal, tied with Baler Twine (wonderful stuff)
Line inside each pallet wall with cardboard sheets then stuff with Straw. Start the bottom layer with rough materials, stalks prunings etc. or Straw, then layer with Garden rubbish, soft and green + Horse Poo + water each layer with Chicken pellets dissolved in 9 Litres (2 gall) warm water.
Cover top with Cardboard and/or thick old carpet.
When weather gets hotter give a water every 2/3 days as required, do not allow the heap to dry out. Some years ago I would break down the heap and turn, say every 3 months, but now I am older (selectively lazy) I just let the heap rot away at it's own pace. Last year took around 10 months to convert itself to nice crumbly compost with no Pong.
We also have 2 Tardis black plastic bins. One we inherited when we bought the house and the other our District Council gave away free last year in a fit of incredible generosity (with our money of course ;))
They stand on bare ground and produce good compost, in the Summer it takes just a few months, overwinter at least 6 months. Capacity +/- .5 of a cu mtr.
Also gather up all fallen leaves (our own garden and from down our Lane)
bag these in tough plastic bags, 'Rubble Sacks' are excellent, think our last pack was 5 for £1 at Wilko. Tie the neck (with Baler Twine) and punch a few holes in the sack to allow a little air to enter. Overwinter store out of the way, we stack them under a Hawthorne/Holly hedge, 6 to 8 months later wonderful crumbly 'stuff' which we use to mulch around the ornamental garden.
All of the above totally 'free' (which always appeals) except the rubble sacks.
Happy rotting .... sorry 'converting' ;D
