Bobb's Propane BBQ Smoker Controller - an Arduino Project

Standard Cat5 Ethernet Cable is used to connect the Arduino project box to the Stepper Motor and Temp Probes.

Here's a YouTube video that shows the system responding to a drop in the smoker temperature due to opening the smoker.

Here's another video showing some of the key components that were fabricated to control the propane gas flow and monitor the temperatures of the smoker oven and the meat.

Here's one more video that shows how smoke is made inside the burner box using a standard propane burner. I used a burner from an old propane fish fryer. Please ignore the weed-whacker noise, my wife was working on the lawn while I was taken the video.

You can grab a copy of the Arduino code using this Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o5h97zvxelik0w1/SmokerTempManagement.txt?dl=0

The video above shows an updated version that actually has two Cat5 cables running between the project box (Arduino) and the propane smoker. Additional leads were needed to add power for a fan for the fire box. There was also a buzzer put on the smoker side of the operation - the buzzer in the schematic was inside the project box.

I used this Stepper Motor and Driver - I got these from SparkFun

EasyDriver42 - SparkFun.com part number: ROB-10267 $14.95 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10267

Stepper Motor - SparkFun.com part number: ROB-09238 $14.95 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9238

When you're setting up and begin your testing WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT APPLY POWER TO THE EASYDRIVER WITHOUT HAVING THE STEPPER MOTOR CONNECTED! I fried an EasyDriver making this mistake!

You might also consider this item for power.

Wall Adapter Power Supply -SparkFun PN: TOL-00298 $5.95 https://www.sparkfun.com/search/results?term=tol-00298

If you're going to build it out on a bread board, don't forget to get some headers. https://www.sparkfun.com/search/results?term=PRT-00553

The LCD I used was from Hacktronics. I used the 20 x 4 Black on Green. I choose this one because they had Arduino code samples. So, I figured it wouldn't be hard to figure out. http://www.hacktronics.com/LCDs/20-x-4-LCD-Black-on-Green/flypage.tpl.html

Here's a link to Maverick Industries, the OEM of the Temperature Probes: http://www.maverickhousewares.com/parts_and_service.htm

I used connectors from BG Micro to plug into the ET-73 temperature probes. These were from www.bgmicro.com

http://www.bgmicro.com/search.aspx?find=AUDCA007

AUDCA007 2.5mm BLACK PLASTIC MONO PHONE JACK $0.37

The wiring between the Arduino board and the stepper, temp probes, and alarms (buzzer) were made using simple RJ-45 ethernet cables. Had I known ahead of time that I would have needed 16 lines between the Arduino and the Smoker in the beginning of building this project, I probably would have used another type of cable, like a full 25 pin serial cable. Anyway, I had used two connectors like these at the control end, and out at the smoker end:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TRv-77mXL.jpg

These were also easy to mount in my project box.

Most of the other electronics were obtained at Radio Shark. LED's, Buzzer, Project Box, Switches, etc.

Until I get the Comments Posting gadget working, please email comments or questions to me at bobbrosb@gmail.com