Compost helps keep your garden flourishing. It’s an important aspect of gardening and conservation that shouldn’t be overlooked, but it can be hard to tell when your compost pile is ready for use.
That’s where compost thermometers come in!
A compost thermometer lets you know when to turn your pile over, when to add more to it, and when it’s ready to give your soil a boost, and all this information comes from how hot the center of your compost pile is.
The 5 Best Compost Thermometers on the Market
Being an important yet under-utilized gardening tool, most people have a hard time picking out a compost thermometer for their gardens. Are you one of those people?
Not to worry, the following are five of the best compost thermometers you can get your hands on today.
1. Clean Air Distributing Compost/Soil Thermometer
This premium compost thermometer from Clean Air Distributing has been designed to carefully show your compost success level. The dial feature shows if your compost is hot enough to reach its next stage.
This thermometer doesn’t just tell you the exact temperature of your compost, whether it’s inside a bin or a pile, but it also tells you when the temperature is either too hot or too low for composting.
Its display is remarkably easy to read because the screen has a no-fog lens, meaning that your thermometer will remain clear regardless of the temperature. Additionally, the 20-inch stem allows you to go deep down into your compost bin to get the most accurate reading.
The design and materials used in the production of this helpful tool ensure that you’ll be able to use it for a long time. It’s made from durable stainless steel and a shatterproof lens that is sure to hold up over many uses.
If this is your first time owning a compost thermometer, then this might just be the best one for you, as it comes with an instructional guide that helps you understand how it works and how to use it.
Specifications
- Brand: Clean Air Distributing
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 24 x 0.50 x 3.2 inches
Pros
- Comes with a no-fog, shatterproof lens
- Has a long, 20-inch stem
- Can read compost temperatures accurately
- Made from durable materials
- Comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee
Cons
- On the expensive side
2. Cate’s Garden Compost Thermometer
As a gardener, if you’ve used some compost thermometers before, you might agree that they’re not all easy to read. Some are quite complicated and require you to spend time reading through the manual before you can get the hang of it.
Fortunately for you, the Cate’s Garden Compost Thermometer offers easy readings!
Unlike many others, this compost thermometer is easy to read and incredibly accurate. The product has a 2-inch dial that’s not only wide enough to see properly but also has the degree sections written in different colors. The color codes help to ensure an accurate understanding of your compost’s temperature.
Like the previous thermometer, the lens is designed to be non-fogging, meaning that you can get an accurate reading regardless of how warm the pile might be. It’s also water-resistant, and the 20-inch stem can go far down into the compost pile to give you precise readings.
The thermometer has a sturdy and durable build that’s enhanced by a reinforced welded bolt between the dial and the stem. Additionally, the thermometer is made from high-grade stainless steel which makes it water and rust-resistant.
When it comes to accurate temperature readings, this is one of your best options.
Specifications
- Brand: Cate’s Garden
- Weight: 2.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 20.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches
Pros
- Sturdy, reinforced construction
- Has a long, 20-inch stem
- Non-fogging lens for clear readings
- Can read compost temperatures accurately
- Color-coded degree sections
Cons
- May not be able to handle being left in the compost for long periods
3. Reotemp Compost Thermometer
Like many other top-notch compost thermometers available for purchase, this thermometer by Reotemp comes with an instruction manual that’s been designed to offer you in-depth knowledge as to how compost thermometers actually work.
And Reotemp knows what they’re talking about. The brand has been making compost equipment for over 20 years.
Over the years, Reotemp has become one of the best brands in the industry. One of their missions has been to simplify the act of reading compost temperatures, which is why this thermometer is so easy to read! You just need to take a glance and you’ll understand how it works.
As with the best thermometers, this gardening tool comes with a dial that’s designed to be non-fogging. The thermometer is even hermetically sealed, which means you can leave it in your compost overnight without having to worry about any damage occurring.
The stem of this thermometer is quite thick, meaning that it’s unlikely to bend. Its construction is something to look out for too, as it has a sturdy design that makes it extra durable.
While this is an amazing product, it has the highest retail price on this list. The upside is that you can be sure that it’ll get the job done.
Specifications
- Brand: Reotemp
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Dimensions: 22 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches
Pros
- Easy to read, color-coded thermometer
- Clear and precise instruction manual
- Sealed dial to prevent fogging
- Thick, sturdy stem to prevent bending
- An Amazon’s Choice product
Cons
- Highest retail price on the list
4. Thermometer World Compost Thermometer
One of the best features of this thermometer by Thermometer World is the fact that it’s incredibly easy to read, which is probably the most important factor in a good compost thermometer! Like the previous thermometer, this product has been designed for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise.
If you’re looking to get your hands on a well-designed and fully functional work tool, this is one of the best ones you can choose from. With a 52-inch dial and color-coded temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, this thermometer is built to offer you accurate readings.
Like many of the best compost thermometers do, this thermometer has a no-fog lens that helps you see regardless of weather conditions or heat from the compost.
In addition, this product is made from some of the best materials available, including high-grade stainless steel which makes the thermometer durable and capable of lasting for years.
Despite being an excellent compost thermometer, it’s one of the least expensive ones you’ll be able to find. With this thermometer, you’re guaranteed an efficient product for less money.
Specifications
- Brand: Thermometer World
- Weight: 2.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 12.6 x 2.2 x 2.1 inches
Pros
- Non-fogging, color-coded lens
- Has degrees in both Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Easy to read, 2-inch dial
- Easy to understand instruction manual
- Durable stainless steel materials
- Affordable price
Cons
- Cannot be left for days in the compost
- Shorter than other thermometers at 11 inches
5. Cootway Compost Thermometer
Designed specifically for beginners, this is one of the best thermometers a gardener of any experience level can get their hands on.
With a 20-inch stem, this product is also sealed airtight to prevent it from fogging and being damaged by moisture. You can even rinse it off with water after placing it deep into your compost for hours.
One of this thermometer’s best features is its easy-to-read, bright, color-coded design. This thermometer can be read by anyone and clearly separates the temperatures into steady, active, and hot zones, so you’ll know exactly what stage your compost is in. As mentioned above, this makes it ideal for beginners seeking to get their hands on a good thermometer.
The lens is PC-coated for extra protection and durability and is built to be waterproof. Additionally, an accurate compost reading only takes about 30 seconds from the time you stick in the stem. You may also decide to leave the thermometer in your compost pile indefinitely for better reading.
This thermometer can handle it!
This product can be used by anyone, regardless of experience level, and is perfect for larger backyard compost piles. Yes, it’s that easy to use.
This is a well-designed thermometer that offers accurate readings and is pleasant to look at. It definitely deserves to be called one of the best compost thermometers out there.
Specifications
- Brand: Cootway, Esuper
- Weight: 4.4 ounces
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 20 inches
Pros
- Ideal for both beginners and experts
- Non-fogging lens for reading temperature
- Has degrees in both Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Long 20-inch stem
- Airtight, PC-coated lens
- Bright, color-coded temperatures/stages
- Affordable price
Cons
- Celsius degrees are slightly harder to read than the Fahrenheit degrees
Buying Guide for Compost Thermometers
Having reviewed some of the best compost thermometers anyone can choose from at the moment, it’s important that we share certain key features that you should look out for when shopping for these gardening tools. While these features may seem basic, they should always be taken into careful consideration.
Thermometer Price
This is the first factor to take into consideration when shopping for a compost thermometer. Currently, there are tons of these thermometers on the market, and some are more expensive than others. The type of thermometer you get should largely depend on your budget.
New gardeners seeking to acquire these tools tend to opt for the less expensive ones at first, while more professional gardeners may feel ready to commit to a higher-priced option. Regardless, your budget should determine which one you choose.
Thermometer Accuracy
The main purpose of a compost thermometer is to ensure that your compost is at the right temperature for the microbial composting process to occur. This is why the accuracy of the thermometer is one of the foremost features to look out for.
The ideal compost thermometer should be very accurate, and there are tons of thermometers out there that offer accurate readings. Aside from precision, an ideal compost thermometer should also be easy to read. You should be able to read the dial at a single glance.
Although overlooked, instruction manuals are another feature to look out for, especially if you’re new to composting. Try to find a thermometer that comes with clear and understandable instructions.
Thermometer Durability
The ideal compost thermometer should also be durable and long-lasting. A product can’t be durable if it’s made with inferior materials, right? It would be wise to look at the type of materials used in the production of the thermometer before making a purchase.
Thick stems made with high-grade stainless steel are some of the most durable out there. The thermometer should also be made with water-resistant materials that prevent fogging and damage and will keep your product usable for years.
Conclusion
This article has reviewed some of the best compost thermometers available for purchase on the market. These products have all proven to be efficient and accurate when it comes to tracking the progress of your compost’s temperature. We’ve also shared a few key features that you should keep in mind when you’re shopping for any of these products.
We hope that this article has helped make your decision a little easier and that you’re able to find the best compost thermometer for your needs. Happy composting!