Using to test our compost pile temp. I heated up some water in a pot on the stove and tested against an alcohol thermometer, and a laser thermometer, and registered accurate within 2 degrees. Agree with other users, buy the additional cage as you don't want to be pushing or pulling on the dial to get it in and out of your compost pile and damage it.

I was concerned with the number of negative reviews from other buyers for this company...not this unit; referring to DOA and inaccurate units. Because of these reviews, I opted to spend a little more than the $22 model, and instead bought the "Pro" 24" unit...for $49, and I'm glad I did. Seems to be robust and of very high quality. I tested the accuracy in both boiling water, and freezing ice water. In the boiling water, it quickly ran up to the 200 degree reading, the highest reading on the scale of this unit. In the ice water, it ran down to exactly 32 degrees.

I'll report back if it fails, as some have, but so far I couldn't be happier. Also, my first compost attempt, after two days, is reading 150 degrees plus. Woo hoo.

I use this regularly for my compost pile. It is long enough to get into the middle of my large and deep horse compost pile. It easy to read and I am able to determine exactly when I need to turn, wet, or leave the compost pile alone. Great product. The color coding is my favorite part and makes reading it that much easier.

If you have a compost pile this is a must. Accurate and durable. Helps me know when to turn the pile and if it’s reaching temperature to break down seeds. Easy to read dial with clear markings.

I'm new to composting and was told I needed a compost thermometer. Fortunately I quickly ran across this Reotemp product. The craftsmanship is excellent, it is consistently accurate (when readings are compared to readout from other known temperature devices), and it's easy to use and to read. The company also provides a PDF composting guide with the product. I use the thermometer multiple times a day, and the readings from it have been essential in understand where my compost is in its cycle. I am using 28" deep bins, and the 24" size of this thermometer has been just right for my set up.

Works great! Make sure you use the stem and not the thermometer top to push it and pull it out of the compost pile.

This is quality for the money. Well made. Robust. "A tool for life." I first bought the 24" model, then realized that the 36" would suit me better, and it did. I also bought the orange probe handle (recommended--makes your thermometer easy to find in the pile, gives you a firm hand-hold when inserting / removing, and it protects the dial face. Moreover, it looks cool--really professional! If all products on the market were designed and built as well as this, the world would definitely be a better place (IMHO).

What I dislike is spontaneous combustion of round baled wet hay. We had a major hay tedder breakdown with 26 acres of hay on the ground during the 3rd week of October. Double raking solve some of it but areas where still baled tough. This compost themometer was stuck into each of 84 bales and it culled out 20. Most of those were beween "Start" 80 & 109F, several in "Active" 110 to 125F and 1 was "hot" over 135F. 64 went into storage & the other 20 pending in the field. We were in a drought area and fed out most of our reserve last winter. We've been in and out of drought this year. Fertilzed heavy and caught the edge of Beryl. It's not automatic. It took all afternoon and bales where measured several times. Gamble paid off thanks to this thermometer which added 64 to the 324 in storage.

The material reached late and broken