I do and have found it to be acceptably accurate and useful. Of course, this gets me the approximate temp of the container mix at the surface, but that's close to where the seeds are.

If you leave your tray in any environment long enough, eventually the soil temperature will be the same as air temperature. Of course, we are not talking about using heat mat.

I do use kitchen thermometer both mechanical and digital to test soil temp when I have my tray on the heat pad. Once germinated i take the mat away I just go by the thermometer on the wall.

BTW:

by using a medical heat pad, I germinated my seeds. 50% are up after 4 days. I kept the bottom of cells at about 80F.

Sey

Thanks alot! I am using heat mats, forgot to mention.

I was at Harbor Freight few days ago. They had infrared thermometer for about $35. But I got one of those kitchen type digital ones with a bout 7" long prob for about 7 bucks. Now I will go ahead and check the soil temperature in the garden. I need 55F or better before planting out.

Sey