compost thermometer

has55 8/4/2016, 3:19 pm

what type of compost thermometer are you using?

CapeCoddess 8/4/2016, 3:29 pm

AcuRite 00661 Stainless Steel Soil Thermometer

https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00661-Stainless-Steel-Thermometer/dp/B000FDBBG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470338941&sr=8-1&keywords=AcuRite+00661+Stainless+Steel+Soil+Thermometer

countrynaturals 8/4/2016, 4:15 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:AcuRite 00661 Stainless Steel Soil Thermometer

https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00661-Stainless-Steel-Thermometer/dp/B000FDBBG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470338941&sr=8-1&keywords=AcuRite+00661+Stainless+Steel+Soil+Thermometer

YAY! AFFORDABLE! cheers

yolos 8/4/2016, 7:33 pm

countrynaturals wrote:
CapeCoddess wrote:AcuRite 00661 Stainless Steel Soil Thermometer

https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00661-Stainless-Steel-Thermometer/dp/B000FDBBG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470338941&sr=8-1&keywords=AcuRite+00661+Stainless+Steel+Soil+Thermometer
YAY! AFFORDABLE!

That is a soil thermometer. It can also be used as a compost thermometer but it is only 7 inches long so it won't get into the middle of the compost pile. But it can be used and is cheaper than anything I have seen.

This is the one I think I purchased. It is a Reotemp and is 20 inches long so it will reach almost to the middle of the compost pile. BUT, it is a lot more expensive than the soil thermometer.

https://www.amazon.com/REOTEMP-FG20P-Backyard-Compost-Thermometer/dp/B002P5RGMI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470353331&sr=8-1&keywords=reotemp+compost+thermometer

**llama momma** 8/4/2016, 8:31 pm

I got mine a couple of years ago from Gardens Alive. Now I see it is rather pricey.
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/compost-thermometer

The funniest and cheapest way would be a candy thermometer (starts at 100 degrees) mounted to a sturdy stick about 24 inches long.

**sanderson** 8/5/2016, 1:02 am

20" dial thermometer that can reach to the center of my 36" high compost pile. It has a red band in the 120-160*F range so I can read without my glasses.

MrBooker 8/5/2016, 6:46 am

19 inches long. Cost $19.95.
https://www.amazon.com/FreeGarden-TEMP-EWC-32-Compost-Thermometer/dp/B00FWN9QJG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1470393797&sr=8-8&keywords=thermometer+compost

compost thermometer Compos13

yolos 8/5/2016, 8:22 am

MrBooker wrote:19 inches long. Cost $19.95.
https://www.amazon.com/FreeGarden-TEMP-EWC-32-Compost-Thermometer/dp/B00FWN9QJG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1470393797&sr=8-8&keywords=thermometer+compost

I hate to rain on your parade but Amazon gave this thermometer 2-1/2 stars. 51% of the comments only got 1 star. The thermometer I reference above received 5 stars and that is with 221 reviews. Of course it costs $10 more so if you are looking for cheap this one may work.

**camprn** 8/5/2016, 9:12 am

I use a digital kitchen thermometer.

MrBooker 8/5/2016, 9:20 am

I found out for sure. If you step on them, they WILL break..
compost thermometer Broke_15

has55 8/5/2016, 9:35 am

MrBooker wrote:I found out for sure. If you step on them, they WILL break..

Yikes!!!

has55 8/5/2016, 9:36 am

sanderson wrote:20" dial thermometer that can reach to the center of my 36" high compost pile. It has a red band in the 120-160*F range so I can read without my glasses.

can you show yours? do you know the cost?

has55 8/5/2016, 9:41 am

that's a good price from that company , yolos. I went to their site and industrial is 99.00. So they have a history.

**sanderson** 8/5/2016, 12:48 pm

I was going off memory last night when I posted. The red zone starts at 120*F and continues on up. I bought it off eBay or Amazon in 2013. I don't know if ComposTumbler(R) still makes it. Total cost with shipping was $30. compost thermometer Thermo10

**jimmy cee** 8/5/2016, 10:38 pm

Save your cash and use an iron rod ..Insert the rod into the area you want to check, leave for a few minutes and remove, immediately upon removing grab the rod with your bare hand..if you're not able to keep the hand on the rod you can figure the temps are 140 and above. luke warm will be 90 to 110
I leave rods in all the time ready to check, and it is good for absorbing nitrogen into a compost pile when thunderstorms are in the area.I picked up this idea from work, checking bearing temps by feeling is a good method before using instruments.

CapeCoddess 8/6/2016, 6:06 am

Good idea, Jimmy! Does it have to be an iron rod? Is rebar made of iron? I leave rebars in my compost pile to stir it around the add oxygen.
CC

**jimmy cee** 8/6/2016, 12:07 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:Good idea, Jimmy! Does it have to be an iron rod? Is rebar made of iron? I leave rebars in my compost pile to stir it around the add oxygen.
CC

Any type of metal should work, metal conducts heat better than others.

has55 8/7/2016, 12:24 am

jimmy cee wrote:
CapeCoddess wrote:Good idea, Jimmy! Does it have to be an iron rod? Is rebar made of iron? I leave rebars in my compost pile to stir it around the add oxygen.
CC
Any type of metal should work, metal conducts heat better than others.

awesome!!

countrynaturals 8/7/2016, 11:27 am

I just learned that all I need for compost is leaf mulch and manure. We have tons of dead oak leaves falling already and also tons of well-aged horse manure at the back of the property. Could I mix them in one of these shredders and use it immediately?

Sun Joe shredder

**sanderson** 8/7/2016, 1:09 pm

A leaf shredder is always good for composting. I think that model creates a lot of dust, but you live on open property so it would not create a nuisance. Oak leaves take a long time to decompose so I would use them in a long-term pile with manure. What other trees to you have on the property?

Anyone else?

CapeCoddess 8/7/2016, 2:26 pm

Do you mean to use it in your square foot garden right away? Or do you mean to add it to the compost pile right away? You could easily add it to the compost pile. But I wouldn't use it in my garden except as a mulch.

yolos 8/7/2016, 7:23 pm

Will well aged manure be enough of a green to decompose the leaves or does it need to be fresh manure. Yes oak leaves take a long time to decompose.

**jimmy cee** 8/7/2016, 10:19 pm

countrynaturals wrote:I just learned that all I need for compost is leaf mulch and manure. We have tons of dead oak leaves falling already and also tons of well-aged horse manure at the back of the property. Could I mix them in one of these shredders and use it immediately?

Sun Joe shredder

This is good, however, there are a total of 17 essential elements needed for proper plant growth. 9 macronutrients and 8 micronutrients. the first nine are essential, the rest arent essential, however they are needed somewhat.
I have so many items in my compost and now I am wondering if I may be lacking something.
There is much more to compost than just calling black material compost.

**sanderson** 8/7/2016, 11:27 pm

Mel encouraged at least 5 different sources of compost. Manure and leaves = 2.

landarch 8/9/2016, 10:34 pm

I received a "free" compost thermometer through the county extension office when I purchased a compost bin...it did not last more than 2-3 years. Here's an interesting DIY digital compost thermometer for cheap...

http://www.instructables.com/id/2-DIY-compost-thermometer-build/

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