DIY Simple Compost Temperature Monitoring Stick
Required Items
A good digital kitchen thermometer
Long stick that’s around an inch in diameter
Pliers
Shears
1/8” drill bit
Screwdriver
Hacksaw
Metal strapping
Vise
Preparing the Stick
The first step is to place the stick in the vise and drill a hole through the center of one of the ends. Choose a stick that is in good condition, relatively straight and has an end that is intact. Cut off the end so that it is flat. The stick needs to be long enough to stick into the heart of the compost pile and thick enough to hold the thermometer in place.
Drill a ¾ inch deep hole into the center of the cut end. The next step is to cut a gash with the hacksaw through the center of the hole that is 1 ¼ inch deep, going beyond the end of the hole that you just cut. Try to keep portions of the hole intact as you cut because it will be used to help anchor the thermometer probe in place later.
The next step is to turn the stick so that it is situated horizontally in the vise with the cut line you just made facing you. Take the drill and drill another hole through the center of the line until it intersects with the first one you made. Next, take a flat head screwdriver or crowbar and gently pry apart the notch that you have now created. Be careful not to use too much force and break it apart.
This should allow you to insert the temperature probe so that its end sticks out from the top and the wire goes out the side hole when you’re ready to put everything together. Test it now to make sure that the cuts are big enough, and make adjustments as needed.
Mounting the Thermometer
Take the piece of metal strapping and bend it to match the shape of the thermometer. The idea is to use this piece to wrap around the edges and anchor it in place. You will also need to make another bend for the portion of the mount that will be attached to the stick. You should make three inward 45 degree angle bends for the housing and then an outward 45 degree one for the mount at the opposite end of the strapping.
Make sure that the strapping is long enough to accommodate the thermometer. However, you can also improvise as you go by using tape or small screws to attach the thermometer if you don’t have enough material on hand.
Screw the mount into the stick with appropriately-sized screw. Wrap the mount around the thermometer and crimp the metal to secure it in place. Install the probe in the end and wrap the wire around the stick in a few different spots as you work your way up to the thermometer. Plug it into the unit and plant the stick into the compost pile. Poke it around in a couple of different spots in order to detect temperature variations, and till your pile as necessary.
Feel free to improvise and make this trick work best for you, and consider letting your kids help with this project. It’s a great way to learn how to build things, and they can have fun poking the stick around the compost pile and identifying hot and cold spots.
