Compost Thermometer

A 50cm long stainless steel thermometer with a dial indicator at one end. The range is from 0ºC to 100ºC. (please note; picture shows farenheit version. Product supplied is in Centigrade)

The long probe makes these thermometers really effective, and it is easy to measure the temperature without digging around and potentially losing heat, as you don't have to remove the top layer.

It is really important to note that if your compost heap goes over 50 degrees Celcius, then it will burn up a range of important minerals, some of the carbon and a range of beneficial microbes. If we are aiming to efficiently return as much carbon to the soil as possible, then it is essential to make compost slowly,  with a  very high ratio of carbon to nitrogen.

Most compost heaps get way too hot, burning off the most beneficial components, and leading to an anaerobic environment... which is not good for the environment, the fungi, microbes or your soil. Slowly does it!

We use these compost thermometers to check on the internal temperatures. They are made for thrusting into the compost heap to measure the temperature inside the pile. These are essential for making safe and effective compost, including compost made with humanure, where you need to ensure a certain temperature is reached and maintained for a few days. While this is very easy to acheive, it is good to be able to keep an eye on what is  happening.