Summary of Build A Grill & Deck-Door Monitor Using Arduino
This project is a DIY Arduino-based monitor designed to enhance home safety and energy efficiency. It tracks indoor and outdoor temperatures, detects if a natural gas grill is left on via temperature thresholds, and alerts the user if a deck door is open while it is colder outside than inside. The system uses an OLED display for data visualization and colored LEDs for specific status warnings, all housed within a standard 1-gang switch box.
Parts used in the Grill & Deck-Door Monitor:
- Arduino
- OLED Display
- Red LED
- Blue LED
- Two Temperature Sensors
- Magnetic Door Switch
- Thermocouple
- 1-Gang Switch Box
- Power Supply
Story
We use our barbecue grill and our deck frequently. After once leaving the grill on all night, I wanted an easy way to check to make sure the grill is off before going to bed. This is especially important since our grill is tapped into our natural gas line and will stay on forever if we don’t shut if off. We also like to leave our deck door open when it’s nice out but it bugs me when I notice the door open and cool air is coming in, sometimes kicking on the furnace.
The goal of this project was to:
- Display the inside and outside ambient temperatures on an OLED in the kitchen,
- Light a red LED if the grill is on (i.e., grill temp exceeds a pre-determined temperature),
- Display the grill temperature when it’s on,
- Light a blue LED if the temperature outside is colder than inside and the deck door is open and display a message indicating the deck-door should be closed.
Since I’m new to both programming and electronics, this project took me quite a few hours to complete but it was a great challenge, it was fun, and I’m happy with the results.
There are quite a few wires inside the device, some of which are shown on the following photo. You end up with even more after you run the signal wires (2 temperature sensors, magnetic door switch, thermocouple, power) to the box.
Everything fit snugly inside a 1-gang switch box. I would rather use a 2-gang box for more room but we already had an unused 1-gang box mounted in the perfect location in the kitchen backsplash.
Normally, the OLED will display the indoor and outdoor ambient temperatures.
-
What is the primary goal of this project?
The goal is to display ambient temperatures, light a red LED if the grill is on, and light a blue LED if the deck door is open during cold weather. -
How does the device know when the grill is on?
The device lights a red LED and displays the temperature when the grill temp exceeds a pre-determined threshold using a thermocouple. -
Can I use a 2-gang box instead of a 1-gang box?
Yes, the author would prefer a 2-gang box for more room, but the project was built into an existing unused 1-gang box. -
Does the system monitor the deck door status?
Yes, it uses a magnetic door switch to detect if the deck door is open and triggers a warning if it is colder outside than inside. -
Where is the device installed?
The device is mounted inside a 1-gang switch box located in the kitchen backsplash. -
What kind of power source does the system use?
The system requires a power supply connected alongside signal wires for the sensors and switches. -
Is this project suitable for beginners?
The author notes they were new to programming and electronics, implying it is a challenging but achievable project for beginners.
