#Microwave Oven automation

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

sleek tangle
#

Hello everybody!

I would like to gather ideas to improve my system

/!\ SECURITY WARNING ⚠️

I discourage using this system. I choose to do so because I don't have any other choice with my actual microwave oven and can't replace it, but I use it with all the security required for it, as I turn it completely off from the moment I get the meal, so any unwanted behaviour of the plug or HA can not cause anything, because the oven would not even power on. I'm not responsible of anything if you set the same system up and don't took the required prevention securities.

So,
My microwave oven works with an old-fashioned timer (no 4-digits display), which is very annoying because :

  • difficult to set an exact amount of time
  • impossible to set less than 1min, otherwise the mechanical timer just don't activate the oven, or turn it off within 5sec

So, I added a zigbee plug behind the oven, and created 4 automations. The procedure is :
➡️ Putting the meal in the oven and setting the mechanical timer to 2min30 even if I want to heat less longer
➡️ launching the appropriate automation that will :
- turn on plug
- wait x seconds
- turn off plug
➡️ Get the food and turn the mechanical timer to zero regardless of the remaining time on it, to prevent a glitch or anything else that would power on the oven randomly

It works well, but :

  • there is as much automations as possible heating durations
  • impossible to see the remaining time while heating

So, I created a HA timer, but I'm lost for the integration part. I would like a few buttons in lovelace that "set" the timer to different durations, and something to handle the plug.

Thanks for your advices!

lyric thistle
#

Hi @sleek tangle,
Beware:
This is really dangerous.
If you are doing something like this and bypassing all the safety's on a machine that could hurt you, I suggest you ask about it somewhere else.
I say this because in order to make this work, you would have to forst the native control to be ON. That means if for instance if the power goes out, the zigbee switch might turn on. If the microwave is empty, mad things would happen.
If your automation glitches, or you bump a button on the dashboard, or someone else pushed the button and asks what does this do? then same problem.
Please ask this question elsewhere...

orchid mural
#

I would strongly encourage buying a new microwave oven. I have a smart air fryer which is awesome and integrates with HA. Plus it won't kill me or burn my house down.

sleek tangle
#

Hello,
Thank you for your answer, you're completely right and the risks are real. But what if everytime I use the microwave, first I set the timer to like 2min, then let HA do its part, and when getting the food, cut the remaining time on the mechanical timer? This way, all mentioned risks is handled
In parallel, I already have an automation that is launched if the microwave plug is on for more that 2.5min (because I never heat longer), which cut the power and send me a message that something is wrong. It is surely not a solution but it helps preventing an automation glitch.
I will edit my first post to include the procedure adding, and the security warning. But I don't have anywhere else to ask for help with HA timers...

sleek tangle
orchid mural
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As it's not yours I'd really strongly advise against modifying it.

lyric thistle
#

Then perhaps (next time) just state you want to build a timer for some undisclosed thing and you will get less distracted help...

#

Cats out of the bag though, so I'm afraid I'm not going to help. Sorry.. I will say look into delay: instead of timers....

sleek tangle