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Meat thermometer for soil temperature, is this feasible? This is a sound question to ask when there are soil thermometers specifically designed to test soil temperatures. But what if a meat thermometer can accurately test soil temperature? Then why would you buy a soil thermometer?
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Can A Meat Thermometer Be Used To Measure Soil Temperature?
A meat thermometer can be used for dual purposes to test meat temperature and soil temperature. You can save some money by buying a meat thermometer and using it for both purposes. The only difference between a soil thermometer and a meat thermometer, is the soil thermometer can measure lower temperatures than the meat thermometer. Just the same, the meat thermometer can measure relatively cold temperatures, so it can be used to measure soil temperatures.
Meat thermometers cost about the same as soil thermometers the price difference between the two is slight. In case you are not convinced that it is safe to use a meat thermometer in soil. Let’s record some test results an expert noted after using a meat thermometer in soil. Here are four tests an expert conducted using a meat thermometer:
- Measured the air which was 67 degrees
- Measured the soil in water which read 59 degrees
- Measured soil with heat mat and a cover and the temperature rose to 94 degrees
- Measured soil in covered trays with lights directly sitting on top of the plastic cover. The temperature was 74 degrees.
So, by these four tests we deduce that a meat thermometer works fine when used with soil and water, soil covered with trays and with lights sitting directly on top of the plastic covers covering the soil. It can be used to safely measure soil temperature in a few different conditions.
Soil Temperature At 40 Degrees
One thing you don’t want to do is use a meat thermometer to measure soil temperature if the soil temperature is 40 degrees or lower. The meat thermometer will not pick up the soil temperature if the temperatures are this low.
How do you know if the soil temperature is 40 degrees or below?
There are a couple ways to determine this temperature reading. If the air temperature is 32 degrees then the soil temperature will be below 40 degrees and if the soil is hard and frozen over. The meat thermometer will not read accurately the soil temperature. In fact, if it’s below 40 degrees the meat thermometer will not even record a temperature.
You will want to use a an instant-read meat thermometer for cooking because you will get the temperature reading quickly. You should stick the thermometer into the soil as far as it will go to get the most accurate temperature reading. The thermometer should be metallic and thrust into the soil about 3 or 4 inches. It is best to take the soil temperatures 3 or 4 days in a row to get an accurate and consistent soil temperature reading.
Obviously, you will want to test the soil temperature during the day because it will be easier to read and the temperature will measure more in the normal range during the day than in the freezing night. You may even want to test the soil temperature 2 or 3 times during each test to make sure the soil remains at a consistent temperature. A meat thermometer for soil is safe to use in the soil.
By following the above method you will keep your meat thermometer in good working order and you will know exactly when to plant your desired seed in the soil. What are the best meat thermometers to purchase to test soil temperature? Ones that will give an instant temperature reading and can test low temperatures. If the meat temperature is metallic these are the best types to use in soil. If it has a folding probe this would be convenient for carrying purposes. Also, it protects the user from being poked by the probe while carrying it.
Final Thoughts…
It would be practical if the probe was safely wired to protect the user from electrical shock and it should be able to test any type of soil for temperature. Keep in mind that the air may be warm and the sun shining but the ground could still be cold from the winter. It’s important to test soil temperature before planting any type of seed. Remember meat thermometer for soil temperature. If you use it properly it can be used safely to test soil temperature.
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