VeeGee Dial Compost Thermometer, with Glass Face, 12" Stem, 3" Dial, -40 to 160 Degrees F

This thermometer works as expected. The stem is substantial enough to stab into a compost pile. The thermometer responds in a reasonable amount of time. In addition to leaves, my compost pile has small sticks, pieces of cardboard, food scraps, etc., The stem is sturdy enough to withstand pushing through these materials to check the internal temps of the pile. It helps that the end of the stem is pointed.My only complaint concerns the packaging in which it was sent. The first one I received had the stem bent and the thermometer face broken due to being packed in a flimsy cardboard box with no internal support and no protection for the glass face. I returned it to Amazon, and the second one I received was packed the same way. It's stem was slightly bent, but the glass face wasn't cracked, so I reluctantly kept it. Never before have I received such a poorly packed item from Amazon. Hope this is not a trend.

Worth every penny. Reading through the other comments prior to purchase, I had been slightly concerned about the packaging, but chose this item anyway for the reasonable price when compared to other thermometers available. Item was shipped in a long box with lots of additional paper padding and came out nice and straight within my expectations. It is not necessary for good performance of these thermometers for them to be "arrow-straight". Minor deflection in the stainless steel shaft is likely due to the normal manufacturing and handling process and should not impair the use of the thermometer, nor be seen as a defect resulting from shipping or otherwise unless it prevents smooth insertion into a typical compost pile composed of ordinary composting materials. Simple adjustment of the calibration screw on the back side of the dial to reconcile the temperature reading on the gauge with the ambient temp was all that was necessary before use. Excellent product for the price, and I'd recommend to any serious composter. I'll probably also use this thermometer for confirming soil temps before spring planting next April, if for no other reason than not having to bend over so far to read it.

I actually bought two of these. Maybe I got it for the wrong reason because I use it to measure the temperature of concrete, not soil. Both were wildly inaccurate. Calibrated both several times but either it just takes a really long time to reach temp (+5 mins) or it doesn't work for concrete.

worked great for about a month, then stopped working. I used it every 2 days to heat and cool milk in preparation for my yogurt maker. the clip on it came with was terrific and I still use that with another thermometer.

Good quality product for the price. Use it to measure soil temperature to determine best time for herbicide application.

I just purchased this and have used it one time. Not really a tool I would use too much, other than start of spring. I am not using it for compost, but rather to determine soil temp for specific plantings. I like that the dial is large and easy to see and it has a long stem, which is great to get down to the planting level and best of all, no battery to replace.It appears to be accurate, from my checks with a digital device. I think all and all a good item for the price.

Great compost thermometer....very accurate. I've been planting in straw bales, and the temperature of the bale is important when curing and when growing, so I got this as an easy way to see how the bales are doing. Perfect for just shoving in there.

Now I can easily tell the temp of my lawn.