How long does compost thermometer need to be in pile?

13 years ago

I'm involved in a school gardening project. Second grade students will be recording compost bin and raised bed soil temperatures on a daily basis. Kids need to take their measurements within the span of a few minutes in the garden and then return to class.

Potential problem is, there are 8 classes sharing the same 20" thermometer to take soil and compost temps. Each day, each class will send out a couple of students to record temps of their own, individual raised bed and the temperature of a compost bin they share with another class.

I'm realizing the non-digital, 20" Clear Air Distributing composting thermometer I got for the project seems to take a while to reach temperature; possibly too long considering how long the kids have in the garden.

Would appreciate suggestions for the following:

1. Compost/soil thermometers that reach correct temp. reading relatively quickly.

2. Anyone's experience on how long a particular make and model of thermometer takes to record a correct temperature.

Assuming I pick up a second thermometer, one possible solution could be to have the teachers create a schedule of when their kids would visit their raised beds/compost piles so there will not be overlap of when the kids are in the garden. AND make sure that when each group of 2-3 kids leave, they know which class will be coming out next and that they need to leave the thermometers in that class's compost pile and raised bed.

Any thoughts/feedback are appreciated. Thank you, John.

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Comments (8)

robertz6
13 years ago
My non-digital compost thermometer, about 18" or 20", costs $15, moves from say 40F to 140 within two minutes.

These things cannot be bent even a little and still retain accuracy. I suggest you find a plastic or metal hollow rod to cover the stem (except for the first inch).
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beachlakegrower
Original Author
13 years ago
robertz6:

Thanks for the response. Do you by chance know where you got your thermometers? Local Agway has them for ~ $15.00.
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jonhughes
13 years ago
Hi John,
I just went out and snapped this 1st pic for you, They are both equally fast (instantaneous), The digital one is a Bar-be-cue meat thermometer, I think it was 10.00
it has a 4' cord on it,so to use it as a compost thermometer, you simply attach it to a piece of rigid wire
,I used Suspended ceiling tie wire for mine, you could also use a Hanger, or ....

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Lloyd
13 years ago
Hi John

I use a Reotemp myself, it takes about five minutes to get a steady, reliable reading.

I have a new AA235 Soil & Compost thermometer and it's online instructions say 3-5 minutes. If you want it, I could mail it to you if you PM me an address.

Also, if you are going to share a thermometer, maybe tie a bright piece of surveyor tape to it. (don't ask me how I know to do this).

Lloyd
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kqcrna
13 years ago
I have a Reotemp too, and it's fast. Only seems to take a minute or two.

Karen
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robertz6
13 years ago
A big box store like Lowes, Walmart or Kmart doesn't usually carry them. A Good (been in business a long time) old style hardware store, garden nursery, feed store is a better bet.
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Kimmsr
13 years ago
The old mercury thermometers that Mom or the nurse in your doctors office stuck under your tongue had to be there for one mintute to get a reading. If newer technology thermometers take longer then I would toss that one and get one that is quicker.
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beachlakegrower
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you everyone for your responses. The two, 20" thermometers we obtained from the local Agway, to measure raised bed soil and compost pile temp, either broke while the kids where learning to use them (pushing down on the dial, instead of the stem) or malfunctioned.

To replace them, we purchased two, 20" Reotemp Compost thermometers. We just started using them. The Reotemps appear to be of a sturdier build, including a thicker stem, and the color-coded dial gives the kids quick feedback on the relative temperature/state of the compost.

As for my initial question: how long does a compost thermometer need to be in to obtain an accurate reading?: I've found 2 minutes for the reotemps is sufficient, maybe 3 minutes if you are going for more accuracy.

The reotemps were $25.00 (plus shipping) each vs. $15.00 for the Agway thermometers, but I think it's worth the extra $ considering the kids are using the thermometers in their raised beds and compost piles everyday and we need something we can count on, so the kids can consistently obtain their "scientific data", which is giving them feedback as they go and which they will look at, at the end of the growing season, with their teachers. Thanks again everyone.
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How long does compost thermometer need to be in pile?

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robertz6

beachlakegrower
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How long does compost thermometer need to be in pile?

Comments (8)

robertz6

beachlakegrowerOriginal Author

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Lloyd

kqcrna

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