Thermometer

daryl.weaver 12/4/2012, 10:27 am

What ar you guys using to check your compost temps?

**camprn** 12/4/2012, 10:30 am

I use a digital kitchen thermometer.

plantoid 12/4/2012, 10:43 am

i use cheapie digital one with a yard long wire wwith sensing probe on the end ( fahrenheit or centigrade ) .

I slip the probe wire down a length of 1/2 inch copper tube which hammered flat at one end to seal it off and help make it easy to push into the heap and insert it in the heap . Push the tube in first then slide the probe down else your likely to break the probe cable.
As copper picks up and transfers the heat easily to the probe the digi jobby can measure deep into a pile .

I got mine years ago for checking our honey and hive temps but there are hundreds available on eBay for a few dollars.

thermometer - Thermometer Thermp002

Triciasgarden 12/4/2012, 10:53 am

I have been using a regular kitchen thermometer and put it in a zip lock bag and then sanitize it afterward. I move the compost back about six inches and push the thermometer into the compost and wait about a minute for the correct temperature to register. I want to get a compost thermometer soon.

daryl.weaver 12/4/2012, 11:02 am

Ah...I have a digital one I use for my smoker. I can enclose the probe in plastic. Good idea.

Triciasgarden 12/4/2012, 11:52 am

I know someone else has used their smoker thermometer. I don't remember who and if I try to guess I will say the wrong person because I am so bad that way!

**llama momma** 12/4/2012, 12:23 pm

GardensAlive is just one place you can order an 18 inch compost therm. Put compost thermometer in you fav search engine for other places. Compost thermometers can be bought with a stem longer than the 18 " one I purchased.
Bought mine from GA right after the prices went up, and luckily they honored my request for the cheaper price.

bnoles 12/4/2012, 12:55 pm

I have an old turkey frier thermometer with a long probe left over from a set up that did not out live it's usefulness. It is perfect for the job. Very Happy

**RoOsTeR** 12/4/2012, 2:31 pm

Triciasgarden wrote:I know someone else has used their smoker thermometer. I don't remember who and if I try to guess I will say the wrong person because I am so bad that way!

That would be me Very Happy

Copied from the "Are you a hottie" thread:

RoOsTeR wrote:Alright. I finally got out just a few minutes ago to take my pooh piles temperature. I am pretty impressed that my temps are as high as they are. Today is actually the day I need to turn my pile as its been 12 days today.
We have gotten quite a bit of snow in the past 12 hours or so

As you can see there is little snow at all in the area around the bin. Radiating some heat perhaps? Hmmm. Lets go in for a closer look:

Come on you can do better than that:

I knew you could do it!

Extracting the probe:

BOOOYAH!!

EggplantWizard 12/4/2012, 4:21 pm

That is awesome!

bnoles 12/4/2012, 7:22 pm

Thanks for the idea Rooster. I too have one of those Redi-Cheks and if I remember (getting harder to do these days) correctly, I think I have an extra probe around here somewhere. Sure looks like a better option than my old Turkey fryer thermometer. thermometer - Thermometer 109486

TexasTracy 12/7/2012, 9:12 pm

I have a Reotemp Compost Thermometer. I got mine free though for taking a Master Composter class. It has a 20" probe.

KnitPicker 12/20/2012, 11:14 pm

I haven't taken a temperature yet. It is nice and steamy when I turn it. And I think that is the coolest thing every time.

Shawnt 7/19/2013, 8:28 pm

Amazon item-compost thermometer

I have been using this thermometer for the past several months. The unit is sealed, and strong enough to handle being pushed into the center of the pile. Very convenient, and I thought a good price ($24).

**sanderson** 7/24/2013, 8:36 pm

Received my new 18" thermometer from Gardens Alive. No more guessing the compost temp! LM, thanks for the company name.

**llama momma** 7/24/2013, 9:28 pm

Your welcome Sanderson. If you do any active winter composting I found the stem is hollow and it can bend. Mine is sporting a bit of a crimp from forcing it into a cold crusty spot on the outside of the heap. Shocked

Live and learn, right?

**sanderson** 7/24/2013, 11:06 pm

LM, Thank you for the warning.

**llama momma** 7/25/2013, 4:58 am

Sanderson, pardon my winter advice blooper! Wink

**RoOsTeR** 7/25/2013, 7:32 am

sanderson wrote:Received my new 18" thermometer from Gardens Alive. No more guessing the compost temp! LM, thanks for the company name.

You got a new poo temper and we don't even rate a picture? Sad

We'll be looking forward to you reaching hottie status thermometer - Thermometer 3170584802

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t9365-are-you-a-hottie

Goosegirl 7/25/2013, 7:35 am

Got a 24" digital on the way, looking forward to giving it a test run with a new pile!

GG

**llama momma** 7/25/2013, 1:12 pm

GGirl
Impressive! I am jealous! But I still love my 18" probe. I just love being able to monitor the progress and put the exact temps in my garden notebook. So geeky and fun.

Triciasgarden 7/25/2013, 4:19 pm

It is one more thing to add to your collection of toys and it sure comes in handy! Congrats!

**sanderson** 7/26/2013, 12:13 am

LM,

We do get a few freeze warnings [<32*] but it's mainly for the orange growers!

Rooster: A photo, hummm. The new material I put in the cage Sunday is only a foot tall and is 130*. Getting lots more produce Friday night, maybe go to the Sat FM also. Starbucks still a consistent source. Trying to get crustacean shells is still a no go.

GG: It's like Christmas getting a new gardening toy!

**sanderson** 8/2/2013, 3:35 am

Regarding my new compost thermometer. I took these photos at night - 132 degrees in the center and 120 degrees 3" from edges. I am very happy so far.

thermometer - Thermometer Compos10

The tulle cover keeps the flies off the compost. I am being a good neighbor! Very Happy

**camprn** 8/2/2013, 8:10 am

Sanderson that's AWESOME!!!! You are a Hottie! alrighta

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I have not taken a temperature

I use a 20" actual compost thermometer

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