Found one on ebay. Cost about 15 with shipping and handling. Works great!

Here is a link that might be useful: eBay link

I, too, could NOT find a Compost Thermometer locally.

Everyone just looks at you. The hardware store & Agway told me they were no longer avail in their catalog to order. But the guy at Agway (the owner's son) gave me a hint to make one out of an old Radio Shack indoor/outdoor thermometer I had on hand.

I did, it works fine but it takes a couple minutes for the temp. to stabilize (read as slow). I also ordered one online at http://www.suitesupply.com

Linked below is the model I bought last June 2006. It was $14.59 plus $7.15 for shipping which was very timely.

I will not argue whether it is calibrated exactly or not but it sure gives me a better idea what is going on. Plus now I have two ... grinning.

Meanwhile, you could buy a digital kitchen thermometer at Walmart for about $11 (in Housewares). It only has a 6in. probe but reads really fast and is also handy for checking soil temp. in the spring or when starting seedlings (room temp). I also use it in my car to check my A/C ... more grins. Comes in handy for many things.

HTH,
Gumby_CT who came across another old Radio Shack indoor/outdoor thermometer the other day -hmmm.

Here is a link that might be useful: CAK-10223401 - Compost Thermometer

I found a thermometer at Kitchen Collection for 9.99+tax. It's made by Sunbeam and there's another by Pyrex. It's only 13" long but it works and it's very reasonable in price. Compared to the 20 + dollar ones in other places. Not sure if this is any help? I have an outlet mall near by and kitchen collection has a shop there. Here's the web site. http://www.kitchencollection.com/Temp_Large_Images.cfm?skuno=01090358&name=Pyrex%20Professional%20Deep%20Fry/%20Candy%20Thermometer

you can use any kind of thermometer, but you don't need one, use your hand - there's no magic temp that makes better compost, if you can gather up a mix that heats up, turn it when it seems to be cooling, add some water and it'll heat again, peat and repeat till it looks done ... use it!

Bill

When I use one I use a "turkey fryer thermometer". As experience is gained making compost, the need for a thermometer is lessened. However, they do come in handy from time to time...

Blutranes

Generally you want your compost thermometer to have a probe that will reach at least 18 inches into the pile, very few places locally will carry something like that. A normal kitchen thermometer with its 4 to 6 inch probe will not reach into your compost pile far enough to give a good reading.

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try the one from suitesupply that gumby_ct posted. I thought about getting a kitchen/grilling thermometer, but the shorter stem length and concerns about durability if it hits a stick or something lead me to getting one designed for this purpose.

Thanks for the eBay link, too, as well as all the other advice! The prices on eBay were actually very close to what I would pay at an online retailer, so I'll go with the retailer for reliability concerns.

I also realize that I can just feel to see if it's hot (it was on Monday night!), but I would like to be able to tell people EXACTLY how hot that little pile in the back can get!

Thanks again everyone!
Jeremie.

Come on over to Maryland - Roozen's in Fort Washington always has compost thermometers in stock for around $15.

Certainly you can compost with out a thermometer. I have also done it for many years.

From my experience, I would say it is much easier for a beginner to learn so many things when they have the right tools. In fact, a compost thermometer is the only thing I have ever paid for to put "into" my compost piles. As you gain experience, you may find yourself relying on it less. But it still does come in handy.

Call me a fool, but I think putting your naked hand into an active, working compost pile (read as growing bacteria) is not unlike sticking the same naked hand into a petri dish. Tho, You may if you choose.

You should just know, there are other options. And certainly other senses can be used (sight is one) that will help determine if the pile is heating up. Of course, you will have no idea just how hot it is. Only that it is heating up.

{{gwi:303884}}

Above & below the white board is 4ft. You can see how I wound the wire for the external probe on the Radio Shack (RS) thermometer. The tip of the probe was secured with a tie wrap & a screw to keep it in place. There is quite a bit of force on the probe when pushing it into the pile. The wood was cut to form a point (cut at an angle) also to help penetrate the pile.

The black mark on the white stick just below the thermometer is 36"in. mark. The space above the thermometer is much needed as a handle to push into the pile and otherwise handle it. The RS is real slow reading and also goes blank when we have a heavy rain. It is battery powered. I simply let it dry out & it comes right back.

{{gwi:303885}}> I had trouble finding a compost thermometer longer than 18". The one pictured is 2ft. & requires NO batteries.
The gray bin was free from a friend who found out just how much work was required to compost. The wire bin also was free and is 30" high (4ft dia.)

{{gwi:303886}}

Here you can see all the composting tips right on the dial. This pile is cooling down.

I am not affiliated with anyone selling any composting materials but just feel people are able to make better choices when they have some good info.

The white board & RS Thermometer both have marks every 6in. as a guide. I have used that white board for quite a few years now in the garden. It came in real handing when laying out the SFG beds and determining the walkway or plant spacing.

HTH,
Gumby_CT

Jeremie,

Do get that thermometer. Nothing like being able to be specific and tell folks your compost went to such and such a degree vs your compost was hot.

I got a thermometer a couple of years ago and still use it. A couple of days ago I got an unexpected visit and the thermometer reading proved to be a bonus. Our municipality picks up all 'waste' organics and does major composting. All of our kitchen waste and compostables are picked up every two weeks instead of of our garbage. The pick-up guys had noticed my compost piles and joked about them to the managers who lead the facility. The managers were curious enough to drop by and check out how I was composting multitudes of used coffee grounds, shredded leaves, seaweed, yard waste, and our kitchen waste. They were tickled pink when I pulled out the thermometer from one pile and it read 145F. One of them stated that they'd be out of business if every household were like ours. Another asked what I do with all the compost I produce and so we walked about the gardens where they were treated to Monarchs, Swallowtails, White Admirals, Hummingbirds, etc.

Two of them are returning in the next few days to show their spouses gardens which can be achieved without 'that blue stuff'. :O)

And yet another thought.... I bought a candy thermometer at the dollar store and duct taped it to a long garden stake. When I turn my pile I put a pvc pipe in the middle and use it to stir things up a bit and as a channel for inserting the thermometer in to the middle of the pile. It works great! I do know when my pile is hot and when it is not but it is really fun to watch it climb after I turn the pile and to watch it cool down and tell me when to turn it again. Good luck! Wobur

Here is something to keep in mind: in order to check calibration the scale should read 0°F to 200°F (glass of ice water should read 32°F), this builds in a margin of error ±30°F which I suspect all inexpensive compost thermometers fall within. Also this would give a accurate reading of 160°F, an important upper range temp to watch for. If your scale starts at 50°F then there wouldnÂt be an easy way to check calibration. I have a thermometer that reads +18°F.
Just my 2¢.

That's it, Tiffy - the Higher Purpose of using a compost thermometer. It's an easy way to show people the amazing cauldron a compost pile is. Stick in the thermometer, watch the dial turn and you can almost see those millions of teeming bacteria at work. 'Look at this alchemy going on in our own humble back yard! And look at what we can grow because of it!' Twenty bucks isn't much to pay for a great educational/entertainment tool.

Note: Get and make one of those "Gumby_CT" Radio Shack thermometer thingies. Nice pics Gumby...

Blutranes

Thanks everyone for your help on this topic. I ended finding out online for about $21. Not too bad for the beginner composter with a new mortgage.

A week after starting my pile in the back the temperature was up to 130, although there was only very little visible progress in the decomposition of the material. I've already posted an account in my "Cardboard" post, so I'll leave out the details here.

In short, I'm glad I have the thermometer. It's just way too much fun to be able to tell exactly how hot that pile of grass, cardboard, and wood chips will get to!