65C = 149F for us non-metric yanks. At least according to a google site. When someone writes their backyard pile has a core temp of 165F that is a long way from saying their whole pile got up to 165F. What they probably mean is that on one or more days they had a core temp of 165F early in the piles life cycle. Assuming a proper mix and reasonable care; with each turn, mix, and watering; the pile will reach a lower core temp. So with a large 6'x8'x24" high pile, maybe 10% got to 160F, 40% got to between 110 and 160F, and the rest reached a high of only ambient temp to 110F. Just guesses on the percentages. So instead of having a 'whole' hot compost pile, you have a mix of hot, warm and cold compost. Not the worst thing.

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. 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. > 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.) 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

Yes. I just ordered the following from Brenda Hawkes at Boyles in Hickory NC [see below]. I've been doing business with Brenda for years. For comparison, I put the prices I was quoted in my town in brackets. Check also Lexington Furniture Store in Lexington KY. NC stores now have to collect sales tax for other states, but KY does not. Cross check between NC & NC because the two can some times be the same price. I have not taken delivery from Lexington yet, but I have heard that their D & D delivery service is lousey. I am paying more to use Sun Delivery. Boyles uses Classic and I have to say they are very good. I've never had a problem and half the furniture I own was delivered by Classic. I've added the contact info for the two stores at the end of this posting. I usually make a trip to the stores, but have also ordered over the phone. You just need to know what it is you want including fabric, finishes, sizes, colors etc. Some of the manufactures are cracking down on NC stores [to force buyers to shop for their products locally], so you may have to make a trip there to establish your business relationship. Boyles: Kingsdown mattress set $2,100 [$2,600] Hickory Chair night stand $1,350 [$2,150] Martha Stewart Bed by Bernhartd $990 [$1,200] Lexington Furniture: Hancock & Moore leather sofa $3,201 [$5,000] Hancock & Moore leather chair $1,671 [$3,500] Hancock & Moore leather ottoman $572 [$1,200] Brenda Hawkes (tell her Catherine from Houston referred you) Boyles Furniture Locations 2220 Highway 70 S.E. Hickory, NC 28602 Phone: (828) 326-1735 Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-6 & Sun. 1-5 www.boyles.com P. Madison Lexington Furniture Company 3024 Blake James Drive Lexington, KY 4059 859 254 5362 www.lexfurniture.com

Well, these are hard to find, but I just ordered this one: ChefAlarm by ThermoWorks - (Black) Sold by ThermoWorks If you have experience with it, please let me know. The reviews were all good on Amazon. It's not cheap, but if I can set my own times instead of preset ones, I'm happy, and this doesn't have all those taste settings.