http://CatesGarden.com Where Does the Compost Thermometer Measure the Temperature?<br /><br />So exactly where and how does the thermometer measure the temperature of your compost pile? Answer: The measurement comes from the tip. The length of the stem is only so that you can get deeper into the pile, toward the core. The average backyard compost pile is 3 to 4 feet, so the best length is around 20 inches.<br /><br />Would you like a FREE eBook on composting?<br /><br />Then visit our website to receive your complimentary copy of: "The Dirt" On Composting: A Comprehensive Guide to Backyard Composting.