Help for Temporary Brooder

[KWestVA]

Is the heat under the whole bin or under the paper towels? Anyway you can measure the temp? Meat/food thermometer?

The heating pads are under the plastic bin, which is why they can't get the temp over 80° - but I was afraid they would create a burn or fire hazard if I put them inside the bin. The space heater gets the temp on the right side up to 90°, but heats up the surroundings as well. I have low-tech stick-on terrarium thermometers in two places.