If you are into hot composting then a compost thermometer is a must. You need to carefully monitor the temperature of your compost, the hotter the compost the quicker the materials break down but if it gets too hot it will dry out. It really is a fine balancing act to get the temperature just right for your composting needs. A compost thermometer allows you to keep the temperature optimal to achieve perfect compost.
COMPARISON CHART
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Compost Thermometer – Cate’s Garden Premium Stainless Steel Bimetal Thermometer for Backyard Composting
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REOTEMP Backyard Compost Thermometer – with PDF Composting Guide
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Compost Soil Thermometer by Greenco, Stainless Steel
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Worm Farming Thermometer for Live Red Wiggler Compost Bins
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Green Wash Ltd TFA Compost Thermometer
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Features
- Easy to read 2 inch wide dial with color-coded temperature ranges
- High-quality and lightweight PC-coated lens, hermetically sealed to avoid fogging and moisture
- Tough, reinforced welded bolt between dial and stem for long-lasting operation and conditions
- Long 20 inch, 3/16 inch diameter durable stem for accurate readings
Cate’s Garden Premium Compost Thermometer lets you know the temperature and health of your compost pile quickly and easily. Simply place the stem into the middle of your pile to get an accurate reading. With this thermometer, you will know the inner workings of your pile, and correct any problems and imbalances to speed up the soil-making process.
WHAT WE LIKE
This thermometer provides simple directions and temperature ranges to let you know when to add or subtract material, when to turn it and when to add water. The color-coded dial with temperature ranges corresponding to the directions on the packaging is easy to understand. It’s surprisingly fast with its readings, which only take a few seconds. It comes with an extended warranty and you can even store it in the reusable blister pack for safety.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Unfortunately condensation occurs inside the unit from the sun which causes heat inside which damages and discolors the front screen. The stem is a little on the light weight side, so when pushing it into the compost heap you need to take a little extra care. If the probe is bent it will affect the reading accuracy. There is also no way to adjust the calibration on this thermometer.
PROS
- Simple directions and temperature ranges
- Easy to understand
- Fast readings
- Extended warranty included
- Easy and safe storage in reusable blister pack
CONS
- Condensation can occur and damage front screen
- Stem is too lightweight
- No way to adjust the calibration on the thermometer
Features
- Free PDF Digital Compost Guide Included to assist beginner composters
- 20 inch length, 1/4″ diameter stem, stainless steel construction, hermetically sealed to prevent fogging
- 3 temperature zones that indicate compost activity
- 100% Compostable Packaging
A Reotemp FG20P Backyard Compost Thermometer takes the guesswork out of composting. With a basic understanding of the temperature at the center of your compost pile you will know when to take necessary action with your compost to get the best result possible.
WHAT WE LIKE
The thermometer is sturdy, easy to insert into the compost pile and simple to read. The instructions are helpful and user friendly. You can leave the thermometer inserted in the compost bin for weeks at a time in all kinds of weather with no problems. Thicker stem then other thermometers for less bending. Handy compost guide included for the best possible composting results.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
One slight downside to this compost thermometer is the heating gauge does not seem to go down below 70 F. The packaging is not ideal and is not very secure for transport which can result in potential damage to the thermometer. The face could stand to be a little bigger so the numbers would be easier to see.
PROS
- Sturdy and durable stem
- Simple to read
- Can leave in compost pile
- Handy compost guide included
CONS
- Thermometer does not go below 70F
- Packaging is not secure
- The face could be bigger
Features
- Solid 20 inch (508 mm) 0.2 inch (5mm) diameter stem
- Reinforced welded bolt between dial and stem for long-lasting operation and conditions
- Color-coded temperature ranges with an easy to read 2 inch wide dial for accurate temperatures
- High-quality and lightweight PC-coated lens
Greenco Gardening Premium Compost Thermometer lets you know the temperature and health of your compost pile. Simply place the stem into the middle of your pile to get an accurate reading.
WHAT WE LIKE
The color coding on the dial is helpful. The lifetime warranty is a great plus with this thermometer. The thermometer is nice and long and is pretty sturdy. It works great for checking & tracking compost pile temperatures from start to finish. It is durable & easy to use.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The hermetically sealed and water resistance was not as advertised and it fogs up and makes it almost impossible to read. The probe is very thin and bends quite easily and can even snap. It takes quite a while (upwards of 30 seconds) for it to adjust to the temperature and actually show a changed reading on the display.
PROS
- Helpful color coded dial
- Lifetime warranty is a plus
- Great for full composting journey
- Durable and easy to use
CONS
- Fogs up making reading hard
- Thin flimsy probe
- Takes a while to read temperature
Features
- Color-coded gauge alerts you to dangerous temperatures with just a glance
- Eight inch probe reaches deep into the worm bedding to get the most accurate reading possible
- Can accurately read temperatures between 32 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit
- Quickly check the temperature in your worm bin
This thermometer has a 8″ probe to stick into your worm bin to measure the temperature of the food / bedding mixture. It can accurately read temperatures and is color-coded so you can immediately see with a glance if the temperatures are putting your worms at risk.
WHAT WE LIKE
The accuracy is excellent. The visuals of what the worms will be doing at each temperature is very handy. Besides the pictures and color ranges you also find actual temperature readings as well to give you full accurate readings. Useful tool to help my worms stay at optimal temperature.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The clear plastic is very thin and the pointer is thin too and has the potential of it easily breaking. Hard to read the dial as it is on the smaller side. This thermometer unfortunately does not come with directions.
PROS
- Accurate thermometer
- Visuals of worms is handy
- Gives full readings with temperatures
- Useful tool for your worms well being
CONS
- Thin stem thats breakable
- Hard to read dial
- Does not come with directions
Features
- Compost thermometer made with stainless steel stem
- It has a -10…+90°C range
- The thermometer comes with a product manual
- Large dial which is easy to use
This stainless steel compost thermometer is well made and durable. The long probe can handle measuring the temperature of most compost heap sizes with ease. The large dial is easy to read at a distance with a clear display.
WHAT WE LIKE
This thermometer is much easier to use than the conventional compost thermometers and produces identical readings. The large dial on top can be read without removing it from the compost heap. Excellent for keeping an eye on compost. Has a very long probe making it useful for larger compost heaps.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
It’s not at all waterproof though so don’t leave it where it will get wet. Condensation is a problem with this thermometer that remains for days after water exposure making readings foggy. You cannot leave it long in a hot compost bin as it is just not sealed for this sort of thing.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Large dial for clear readings
- Excellent for monitoring compost
- Long probe
CONS
- It is not waterproof
- Condensation is a problem
- Not well sealed
FINAL VERDICT
Composting requires quality tools for success and a good compost thermometer will greatly assist in your composting journey. Our top recommendation is the Compost Thermometer – Cate’s Garden Premium Stainless Steel Bimetal Thermometer for Backyard Composting.
This compost thermometer has all the bells and whistles. The detailed instructions used in conjunction with the easy to read dial with color-coded temperature ranges allows you to know exactly what steps to take with your compost pile to keep it optimal. The extended warranty is a big plus that gives you peace of mind. The useful reusable blister packaging doubles up as storage for your thermometer too. The thermometer is durable and well made. Your compost heap will be thriving in no time with this compost thermometer.
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