DIYQueen & Digital
Hey DIYQueen, I've been thinking about turning an old microwave into a smart kitchen assistant with a little Raspberry Pi and some sensors. The idea is to let it read the ingredients, suggest recipes, and maybe even control the oven. What do you think? Have you ever tried hacking kitchen appliances?
Wow, that sounds like a kitchen adventure waiting to happen! I love the idea of turning a microwave into a smart helper—mixing a bit of code with a pinch of creativity is where the magic lives. I've dabbled in a few appliance hacks, like turning a toaster into a tiny oven with a temperature sensor, but nothing as ambitious as a recipe‑suggesting microwave yet. The key will be getting the Pi to read the inside contents—maybe a camera and some image recognition, or better yet, a smart scale that tells you the weights of each ingredient. Then you can feed that data into a recipe database or a little AI model that suggests dishes. Controlling the oven is a bit trickier; you'd need to tap into the oven’s thermostat or use a relay to mimic the start button. Just make sure you isolate the high‑voltage parts and keep your safety harness on! Keep your notes tidy, maybe use a spreadsheet to track each modification, and don't forget to test each step before you add the next sensor. This could become your signature kitchen gadget—just remember to label everything and keep a backup plan if the microwave starts glitching. Happy hacking, and let me know if you need help picking the right sensor or wiring diagram!