The compost pile needs regular turning - about once a week. As the temperature begins to decrease, turn the pile. If it is cooking, as it should, vapor will rise as the pile is turned. Apply compost as mulch or work it into the soil. Strong odors are the result of anaerobic conditions or ammonia formation.
Air tends to channel so aeration and constant agitation is essential to insure aerobic conditions.
Too much nitrogen in relation to carbon will lead to ammonia formation. Carbon must be made readily available for the microbes. Easy Compost . Inc. Martin, Deborah and Grace Gershuny. The Rodale Book of Composting.