Multiple compost bins

Hi all,
When we moved into this house 9 months ago we inherited a plastic dalek compost bin. We compost plenty of stuff, and I give the top 12" or so of the bin a good mix from time to time. Plenty of worms in there, and what looks to be lovely compost at the bottom. Hunky dory.
The only problem is that bin is near full now, and with not much need to take any compost out until spring, it's getting harder and harder to fit it all in. We have a pile of turf at the side of the bin that goes in bit by bit from when I had to enlarge some flower beds, and there's rarely enough space to fit more in.
So I have convinced her indoors that we could do with a second bin, and she's fine with the idea.
So the real question is, what's the best way to manage them?
Should we start filling the second bin for a year, taking compost out the first bin, then swap over each year? That way you'd be sure that everything in the bin had had plenty of time to compost. Or would it be better to do the two bins at the same time?
Or am I worrying about nothing, and it doesn't matter?

 

You say there`s compost ready, so why not take it out and bag it?:thumb:

 

I would say you are probably worrying too much, do like Dai says and bag it up, that said there are a few plants that would appreciate top dressing with some good stuff over winter.

 

Because then I'd have to find a bag! :p
The idea of topdressing beds never occurred to me. I suppose it serves the same purpose as topdressing lawns...

 

I'm never very sure about these empty-at-the-bottom bins, because in reality not all the material composts at the same rate.

How about lifting the Dalek off the heap, putting it alongside to make a new heap and putting any material from the top of the old heat, and any not-yet-composted-bits, into the new "pile", and then using the compost that is left. You could sift the compost, if you like, to separate out any woody bits which need a "second-go".

"Plenty of worms in there"

I expect Dalex bins to be composting too hot for the worms to come in - they normally come in when the composting temperature falls, or if composting doesn't get a good heap (e.g. not much green material).

What do others think?