IoT connected BBQ/smoker

[jcallaghan]

Objective:

Add a number of sensors to my BBQ and the smoker I don't yet own. Bluetooth temperature probes are not cheap and relatively useless still as all you will get is a notification on your phone. With a connected BBQ I can trigger additional automation and enhance the capabilities of my BBQ with relatively little effort.

Ideas:

• Food probes target temperature/time alarm and notification x 4
• Food almost done notifications/alarms
• Estimated cooking time
• Ambient/Grill temperatures
• Ambient temperature reached/lost notification
• Disconnection warnings
• Sonos TTS/alarm integration
• BBQ warming up BBQ - Temperature indicates BBQ in use automation #46
• Destructible notification that updates with the temperature every few minutes (caution limit rate)
• BBQ cool enough to clean and close up notification BBQ safe to clean and close-up automation #31
• Gas bottle changed, reset last changed date and gas level
• BBQ in-use state (temperature rises above / falls below (n) temperature) - this would be useful alongside the load-cell weight.
• Recipe helper for known target temperatures
• Magic Cards (RFID cards) for preset temperatures and times for my recipes.
• My BBQ lid is either open or closed, it would be great to control how open or closed it is.
• Integrate notifications and alarms into the garden and kitchen Sonos speakers.

Ingredients:

• Ambient temperature (k-type) BBQ - ESPHome board for ambient thermocouple temperature sensor #30
• Food temperature probes (k-type) - https://esphome.io/components/sensor/max31855.html
• Rotisserie power - Sonoff via ESPHome
• Meater temperature probe for food cooking on the Rotisserie BBQ - Meater+ wireless temperature probe #50
• Blower fan - ESPHome GPIO
• Vent servos - ESPHome GPIO
• Display for current temperatures - eInk or similar screen
• Buzzer/alarm for target temperature/timers - ESPHome GPIO with Home Assistant integration
• Gas level - manual check of gas level indicator
• Gas level - load cells via ESPHome
• Usage tracker/counter - Home Assistant automation and input_boolean on first high temperature
• Actuator operated lid (party trick 😂)
• Gas valve shut off - not sure this is possible but regulating the gas based on the temperature would be pretty cool

Ideas:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/permalink/2567418576862830/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/permalink/2348645385406818/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/permalink/2489663074638381/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/permalink/2563175623953792/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/permalink/2647435388861148/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/permalink/2286619574942733/

[jcallaghan]

Retro fitted a Rotisserie to my BBQ. Had to cut the mounting bracket and a groove out the lid to allow it to close. The rotating rod is super long so this will need cutting down to fit better.

• Rotisserie
• Kebab roundel

Worked beautifully this evening testing it.

[jcallaghan]

Shared on Twitter

[jcallaghan]

Ambient thermocouple temperature sensor (k-type) https://esphome.io/components/sensor/max31855.html

[jcallaghan]

Added a new Lovelace dashboard just for this grill and smoker project.

[jcallaghan]

Clean a BBQ is an essential job that every BBQ needs. A little TLC goes a long way. I also have a cover for my BBQ that can only go over the BBQ once it has cooled. I'm going to create an automation to notify me when it is safe to clean and close up.

[jcallaghan]

Test if adding load cells will allow me to monitor the gas level. Suggestion by @GuySie on Twitter.

[jcallaghan]

For hygiene and cleaning purposes these are a MUST for my K-type connectors.

[jcallaghan]

I wonder if the ambient temperature might be useful displayed on these screens on the underside of one of the BQ shelves > https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W9JC6R4

[jcallaghan]

These look like the right size to be able to use effectively to penetrate different food types similar to this green one although I don't think the handle/grip would hold up to the temperature. I could use the above k-type connectors on the front of the grill to allow me to add them as and when needed.

[dennis071nl]

Very nice project!

[esbenr]

Hi,
I'm very interested in your progress. I'm currently working on integrating the Meater probe using ESPHome.
Have you done any investigation on the BT signature and how to configure the sensor in ESPHome?

Kind regards
Esben

[jcallaghan]

Meater+ wireless temperature probe

Found this project that has reverse-engineered the BLE communication for the Meater BBQ thermometer. https://github.com/nathanfaber/meaterble

@esbenr have you seen this project?
I am considering building some automation around this and adding MQTT to it.

[jcallaghan]

@esbenr I have progressed quite extensively now and am able to access the data from my Meater+ probe in Home Assistant. See #50 for more information.