Pizza Oven - IR Temperature Sensor / Gas Flow Control

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello everyone.

Completely new here, also wasn't really aware I could make my pizza oven a "smart pizza oven" until my friend told me Arduino could maybe do that.
So I decided to get some help here before I start getting all the neccessary stuff.

I have a Gas Pizza Oven and I'm about to install a rotating pizza stone this weekend and thought I could extend the "cool stuff" even further.

My goal is to control the gas flow depending on a pizza-stone surface temperature.

I was thinking of following:

  1. IR Sensor checks the pizza stone surface temperature
    2a) If temperature < 480 Degrees Celsius, then full power gas flow
    2b) IF temperature >=480C, lower the gas flow to 50%
  2. Would be cool to get a signal (sound) that the temperature is ready, but isn't a must have.
  3. Also would be cool to display the current temperature on some display, but also not a must have.

Problems:

  1. I couldn't find an IR temperature sensor that's heat/fire resistant and can read temperatures over 450C. Should be able to read up to 600C, since I keep my stone's surface around 500C. MLX90614 goes "only" up to 380C.
  2. Type K thermocouple wouldn't work I guess, since I need a surface temperature and it's gotta be an non-contact sensor.
  3. Which gas flow valve would work? I thought something like THIS could work, but I don't know if that can be controlled via Arduino.

I'm located in Germany if that's important or needed for recommendations.

Also, I've never programmed anything with with/for Arduino, but I guess I'll find enough input online :wink:

Thanks!

2

I confused, if you already have a means of measuring the temperature, why do you need another?

3

It's not difficult to find IR sensor that can measure 500'C, but the sensor itself can't handle "oven temperatures". You should install it out from the oven and have IR-window for measurements. I think themocouple on stone surface is easier way to go..
That solenoid valve is on/off, not ideal if you want to regulate gas flow.

4

I am using something like THIS right now manually and also have to reduce the gas flow manually.
I’d love to do it all automatically.
Also this IR sensor I have now isn’t really heat resistant but can measure above 500C

5

Can thermocouple really read the stone temperature?
I also can’t really fix the sensor to the stone since the stone is rotating so it’s gotta be a non-contact temperature sensor.

Didn’t notice it was on/off only. Is there anything you can recommend to regulate the flow?

6

Not an expert in this area but certain glasses like silicon can pass IR.
So you just need to install a small window in your oven and use the sensor outside.

7

I didn't notice it's rotating....
Ok, it's doable with IR-sensor as well, you just need to find a way to keep the sensor within it's operating temp. I used economic ZnSe lens for my thermal imager. But I don't know how good solution it would be with fumes...
Maybe some "hole" for IR-measurements with little bit air assistance.
For the valve you can use motorized ball valves, commonly available and not too expensive.

8

I can make a hole and use the sensor outside. It's only important that it can measure the temperature.
Can you suggest me a sensor? As I've said, up to 600C is enough since I try to keep the stone at 480-490C, but sometimes I forget about it for 2-3 minutes and its already at 550C, so it's gotta go to 600C just to be sure.

9

I could make a hole and measure it from outside, yeah.
Do you have a recommendation for an IR sensor to measure the temp from the outside?

Thanks for your imput about motorized ball valves.
I didn't even know how such stuff is called so it's a good info to start looking.
Is there anything I have to pay attention for? Or are all of them compatible with arduino?

10

Never used one. Had a quick look. Hobby modules have a range up to 380'C, "professional" sensors that go above 500'C are costing >50eur even in AE. But at the same time you can find ready made thermometers that are advertised to go above 500'C for ~10eur... I wonder what they really have inside...
Be aware that the sensor has quite wide opening, not like the laser beam it outputs for targeting.

https://aliexpress.com/item/32736750087.html

If you already have manual regulator for gas flow, you could mount a servo on that knob. Easy and safe.

If you go with ready made motor valve, make sure your connections are 100% gas proof.
They are usually 12-24V valves so you need some simple circuit to operate it with arduino.

11

Thanks!
I dont mind paying a bit more for a good temp sensor which is going to work with arduino.

I'll check the servo too! I have a manual regulator now, yeah so that might be a "cheaper" (?) solution.

And yeah, safety first so making sure everything is gas proof and other stuff is priority.

Thanks once again!

13

Unless your oven operates with a pilot light, you need to coordinate the igniter circuit with your gas control!

14

I hope you live in a third world country.
Most countries have strict gas regulations, where no electronics is allowed near untested gas appliances.
Also think of your house and medical insurance, which will become non-existant.
Leo..

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