Try a compost Thermometer.
Not too $$ and much easier than getting your hand burned.
I don't know how hot the grass clippings were but I have had them feel like I was going to get a burn on my hand through a glove as I was spreading a bag of em that got hot.

As for if there is steam or not depends not only on the temp of the compost but also the moisture content of the compost, the humidity of the air and the temperature of the air. Steam isn't really a reliable way to judge compost temperature.

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Compost Thermometers

I used an extra meat thermometer. Youdont get quite as deep, but it gives you the temp as far in as youcan get it.

160 degrees is HOT HOT HOT you dont want your hand in it.

I found this:
Most adults will suffer third-degree burns if exposed to 150 degree water for two seconds. Burns will also occur with a six-second exposure to 140 degree water or with a thirty second exposure to 130 degree water. Even if the temperature is 120 degrees, a five minute exposure could result in third-degree burns.

Hi Sandra

At 160, a person can not hold their hand in the pile, it will cook. Before I had a thermometer, I used a piece of steel bar and pushed it into the center. Once again, at 160, one could not hold onto the part of the bar that had been in the center, it was just too hot. But then again, 140 is pretty dang hot too and when the bar was pulled out, absolutely everyone wanted to feel how hot it was. Go figure.

As stated, steam isn't all that great of an indicator, but it sure looks neat and always amazes people, even compost enthusiasts. I consider steam to be part to the compost entertainment factor.

Lloyd

Oh well, you guys just burst my composting bubble!! When I read that it would burn, there's no way I have things that hot! I thought my pile was doing great. I felt into the middle of it today and it's a gentle heat, like baby bottle temp. No fear of burns here. It's been going for about a week, and I turned it yesterday. Maybe it's still coming to a boil???

As long as there's some heat, you're doing fine. Baby bottle temp means everything is chugging along nicely.

I think you're in the lowest of the three ranges of temperatures. The ranges correspond to the types of bacteria that are at work. It will compost ok in that heat range, it's just not as entertaining. At the higher temps, my piles of compost steam beautifully in the cold morning air.

Try stopping at a Starbucks to get a bag of their used coffee grounds. Mix that into the middle of the pile. At my favorite Starbucks they put the bags of UCGs out front for people to snag on their way out.

I'm off to Starbucks, I WANT STEAM, baby!

If you were to enter a pool of water that is 80 degrees that would feel quite warm to you. If you were to try to wash your hands in 120 degree water you would not be able to, and people can get superficial burns (reddening of the skin with no blisters) in water that is 120 degrees. Even 104 degree water will feel quite hot. 160 degree compost is not something you can put your hand in at all without getting burned, seriously.