Fmart322
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
- Location
- Cinnaminson, NJ
Some of you might recall last year about this time I was talking about making a wireless probe for my smoker. Well, I finally did it. The temp probe I've used for a long time to monitor the meats finally died. No choice.
I wanted something to make my life easier. I'm usually fairly busy. And, admittedly, I'm a serious geek (proud of it, too). So, had to involve computers.
I bought an Arduino microcontroller, a type K thermocouple food-grade temperature probe with stainless-sheated leads, a WiFi shield for the Adruino, and a chip to let the microcontroller get info from the thermocouple in a meaningful fashion.
And, I had to write a little software for it because nothing out there existed (or at least, was available).
Cost? About $155. Microcontroller $35. Probe $50. WiFi shield $55. Interface chip $15. My soldering skills came free.
What does it do? It serves up a little web page that tells me the current probe temperature. I love it. From any computer in the house (including my cell phone's web browser), I can check the temperature.
What's next? Multiple probe support (including smoker ambient temperature). Text message (SMS) alerts when target temperature nears or ambient smoker temperature drops too low. Temperature graphs and long-term storage.
Here it is:
If you patent that you will be rich. Not to mention if you sell the idea to an outside sourse the price will come down making it cheaper for the consumer. Try to find a good American company to take it over for you, one that won't outsourse it to China and you'll help create jobs in America.
Great work by the way.