Compost readiness requires a set of measurements and observations interpreted for the selected preparation method. Moisture, structure, temperature, conditioning and ammonia must be assessed together. A single moisture threshold does not establish that all compost above it will fail.
Use the documented batch release specification, calibrated instruments and representative sampling. Visual and tactile observations can supplement measurements, but do not deliberately smell compost or assign an ammonia concentration from odour. Older numerical recipes describe particular methods and must not be treated as universal release criteria.