First Project - Barbecue Pre-Heat Temperature Alert

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm an absolute noob and this is my first project of hopefully many. I'm hoping someone might be able to help me code this or point me to a sketch tutorial that is similar enough to this idea that I might be able to tweak it to my needs.

The goal: When my barbecue reaches pre-heated temperature, send me a notice to let me know.

I think it would in theory go something like this:

  • take a measurement of the current temperature.
  • If the temperature isn't high enough, wait 60s
  • If the temperature is high enough, send SMS alert.

Components I currently have that I think might be needed to accomplish this:

  • Arduino Uno R3
  • DS18B20 waterproof sensor
  • ESP32
  • Resistors for these

Am I missing anything? Any ideas to accomplish this in a better way?

2

The DS18B20 will not measure temperatures over 125C. I expect that the BBQ plate could get hotter than that. It would have to be mounted in a way that you could be reasonably sure that it won't exceed 125C.

Every single piece of electronics you can buy has a temperature range. You can safely ignore that range most of the time. The device doesn't know how hot it is. We don't care for our hobby electronics if the long-term reliability suffers a little. However the DS18B20 is a temperature sensor. It does know how hot it is. It will simply return an error code if it's too hot.

Why wait 60 seconds? The Arduino consumes the same amount of power when it's waiting. Why not have it do something useful like measure the temperature again? Then you could make the algorithm a bit smarter: send the alert when the most-recent 60 seconds have been over the threshold. That way it could be up to 1 minute faster than your algorithm.

3

To measure temperatures higher than 125°F, you need a thermistor.

But, not wanting to throw water on your project, my BBQ grill takes only two or three minutes to get to 400°.

4

SteveMann:
To measure temperatures higher than 125°F, you need a thermistor.

Or an IR bolometer, like the sensor in a non-contact thermometer.

5

Thanks for the tips! I'm digging the IR Bolometer idea. Think I'll get one of those on order.

Can you steer me in the right direction for the writing the sketch or would you be willing to check my syntax if I take a stab?

6

T or K thermocouple
With interface board.

Forget the UNO
ESP32 is far more capable.

7

Remember that every part that is in a place that can get to 600 deg F.
Will get to 600 devrees.

A thremocouple designed to take the heat of 1200 can take the heat of 200 easily

8

PT-1000 Temperature sensor kit.

Full temperature sensing range -200˚C to 850˚C
Cable Max Temp 125°C, Min Temp -55°C
(for temperatures beyond this range use Thermowell)

9

sd12013:
.......would you be willing to check my syntax if I take a stab?

We all are happy to help when you run into problems.
Writing the code for you... not so much.
The Thermocouple with board on aliexpress is under 5 usd.
The PT 1000 looks like it might be a better choice.
Google both to see rereviews problems etc

10

dave-in-nj:
A thremocouple designed to take the heat of 1200 can take the heat of 200 easily

...but common wire less so.

11

Thanks! Sincerely appreciate your advice.

12

There is a smoker temperature controler
When get to phase 3