My New Toy

ColaCooker

Hi All,
A gentleman named John Moyer recently published an article in Circuit Cellar magazine about a temperature controller that he had built. Using his plans I made the one shown below.[p][p]It cost about $15 or $20 in parts except for the thermocouples which cost about $20 each. You set the dome temperature with one knob and the food temp with a second knob. Whenever the temperature of the dome falls below your set point a small fan kicks on which pushes the temperature back up. An alarm goes off when any of the food probes goes above the set temperature. It can monitor up to three food items at a time. Here's a closeup picture of the base unit.[p][p]The top line shows that I set the temperature for the dome at 200 and the actual temperature is 202. The lower line shows the that the alarm temperature was set for 180 and the actual temperatures of the two meats are 138 and 127. Since I don't have the fourth thermocouple plugged it shows a 0 at the right hand side of the line.[p]I attached the fan to the egg using the bottom of a pie plate.[p][p]I'm working on Version 2 which will have a wireless transmitter to transmit the temperature to a unit I'll keep in the house.[p]This was a fun project to build and my hat's off to John for coming up with a great idea and sharing it with his fellow ceramic cooker enthusiasts.[p]Cola

MAC

ColaCooker,
Now there is a tool at a price that I can afford. GRRR...ATE!!! job. I would like the plans.Looks like a winner.

ColaCooker

MAC,
I've attached the URL for the article. Have fun!
Tony

ColaCooker

MAC,
Oops, let me try that again.

[ul][li]Article[/ul]

Nessmuk

ColaCooker,
Request details on the fan only. What is it & where can I buy one? I will control it manually.[p]

ColaCooker

Nessmuk,
It's a 12V, 10cfm fan that I ordered from Jameco at www.jameco.com. Their part number is 206164. [p]You should probably check at your local Radio Shack first and maybe save some S&H. You can use an old PC fan if you've got one.[p]Cola

Mike in MN

ColaCooker,
Congratulations! I read the entire article and I'm impressed with the whole project. A lot of us out here would like something like this, but we certainly don't have the expertise, time, or "know how" to do it. My "hats off" to you![p]Thanks for sharing, and if you ever decide to go into a small time production for your BBQ friends, let us know, I'm sure there are others out here that can appreciate a quality "home project." AKA: Dizzy Dust, Lawn Rangers ash tool, etc.[p]MIke in MN

ColaCooker

Mike in MN,
Thanks. Glad you liked it. My Egg now works like a crockpot. I set the temperature and never have to think about it until it's done. I've always had trouble keeping the temperature at 200 for the entire cook and now it's easy.[p]I'm struggling to find the time to add a wireless capability so I don't have time to build one for all the people who have asked. Maybe someday when I retire (sigh)...[p]Cola