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It is a one-off maker-built sculpture, not a documented commercial appliance: set a mug on its wooden coaster and its weight activates a hidden switch; an infrared sensor above the drink feeds an Arduino Nano, which lights one to five LEDs to show relative heat. The design combines practical electronics with woodworking and brass fabrication, but its stepped display is not a calibrated temperature reading.
How the monitor works
The reported interaction begins when a mug is placed on the wooden base. Its weight presses a concealed switch under the coaster, activating the electronics. A non-contact infrared sensor suspended above the drink reads temperature information and sends it to the Arduino Nano. The Nano uses five LEDs to indicate relative heat on a one-to-five scale. The build’s purpose was to indicate when a hot drink had cooled enough to enjoy, rather than to display a precise numeric temperature.
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The LEDs sit behind a thin layer of wood and are intended to be difficult to see when off. This keeps the display visually quiet until the mug triggers it. The brass-rod assembly supports the sensor and forms the sculpture’s visible structure; Arduino’s account also describes the rods as transferring signals. [Arduino’s project account]
What makes the design distinctive
Woodworking hides the display
The base conceals the Nano, battery, switch and LED wiring, while the small LED openings are carefully drilled through the wood. Hackaday notes that a drill press would have made the hole-making easier. The result depends on accurate layout and drilling: the LEDs need to sit behind the surface without compromising the clean appearance when they are off. [Hackaday’s feature]
#1 Best Overall
- Fast and Accurate Reading: Kitchen thermometer for cooking features a 1 second readout speed and high accuracy of +/-0.9 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring you receive the most delicious results every time
- 5.3 inches Long Probe: Cooking thermometer for liquids with 5.3 inches super long,food grade stainless steel probe keeps your hands away from the heat and avoid dangerous situations
- Easy to Use: Simply insert bread thermometer sourdough into your food and receive the temperature in seconds; Powers off after 10 minutes of no use to conserve battery life; Batteries Included; Celsius/Fahrenheit selector
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Brass serves as structure and visual element
The brass rods lift the sensor over the cup and give the electronics a freeform, sculptural frame. Their role is not merely decorative in Arduino’s description, which says they also transfer signals. The combination of brass, poplar and hidden electronics is what makes this a circuit sculpture rather than an ordinary tabletop thermometer.
Parts and considerations for a recreation
The creator’s project page identifies these reported build choices. They describe this particular build, not a guarantee that substitute components will work with its wiring or code. [Electromaker’s project page]
Rank #2
- [ Waterproof - IPX7 ] With the strong waterproof ability, it’s very suitable for measuring the temperature of liquids, such as water, milk, candles. When used in the kitchen, food, powder and oil stains are inevitable. The whole body can be rinsed under water. Easy to clean and maintain!
- [ Instant Read & Accurate ] 2-4 seconds response time with 0.1°F increments. Wide temperature range from -58°F ~ +572°F with accuracy ±1.8°F.
- [ Easy to Use ] Power on and insert the probe into the target, then get results quickly. Switchable between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The HOLD function can hold the results to read without hurry. Auto off after 10 minutes of inactivity to save power.
- [ Sheath with Pocket Clip, Power Supply ] Color-matching sheath with pocket clip protects the probe when not in use, and allows the thermometer to fit into the coat. Power Supply: One LR44 battery(loaded)
- [ Food-safe Long Probe, Good for Kitchen ] The 5 inch long probe is made of food-safe 304 stainless steel. This thermometer is easy to use, clean and fast reading, great gift for kitchen beginners and kitchen masters.
- Arduino Nano
- Adafruit Melexis infrared sensor
- Poplar wood for the base
- Brass rods for the sensor support
- Five LEDs
- Battery
- Switch mounted beneath the coaster
The project description mentions using Kelvin in code that supports multiple temperature scales, but that does not make the visible one-to-five display a five-point calibrated thermometer. A builder considering another sensor, Nano variant or library should confirm the electrical interface, wiring, field of view and code compatibility before assembly. The sources identify the original sensor family, but do not establish a current exact SKU, retailer availability or interchangeable alternatives.
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The five LEDs provide a quick visual indication of relative heat. The published descriptions do not give calibrated accuracy, measurement error, repeatability, response time or controlled comparisons with a contact thermometer. They also do not specify an exact temperature for any LED level. Treat the device as a maker-built cooling indicator, not as a way to verify that a drink has reached a particular temperature.
Rank #3
- 【Easy to Use】Easily release the meat probe at the push of a button, and control the backlight or power with another button. With TempPro, cooking becomes a seamless, stress-free experience
- 【More Accurate Readout in 1 Second】Get accurate temperature readings with an impressive +/-0.9°F precision, this cooking thermometer ensuring your food is cooked to perfection. The quick readout helps you stay efficient and in control of time-sensitive tasks
- 【Easy to Read】The large, easy-to-read numbers and bright backlit display make this grill thermometer simple to check your cooking progress whether you're indoors or grilling outdoors, at any time of day
- 【User-Friendly Design】Foldable probe and compact design make this BBQ thermometer portable and easy to store; Use the built-in magnet or hook to keep it handy on your fridge or hanging nearby for quick access
- 【Exceptional Value】Includes 1 AAA battery instead of a button cell; this digital thermometer lasts twice as long and makes battery replacement easier. Wide measuring range of -58-572°F allows for multiple uses such as checking meat, water, milk, candy, fried foods
Hackaday quotes the maker describing the sensor as “a single-pixel infrared camera that picks up everything in a 90° cone starting at the sensor.” That wording is the maker’s explanation of the sensing area, as reported by Hackaday; it is not a performance test of this build.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to see the original build
Hackaday’s June 16, 2021 feature describes the operation and construction, while Arduino’s June 11, 2021 account confirms the Nano, brass support, switch and hidden LED display. The creator’s Electromaker page, credited to goscott, gives the parts list and build details. Together, these sources document a distinctive DIY project; they do not establish a finished unit for sale or independently measured performance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Instant Read Food Thermometer | Our instant read thermometer features a temperature probe and advanced, highly accurate technology with 1-2 seconds response time; Instructions, meat temperature chart, comes pre-calibrated for your convenience, and recalibrating feature if needed.
- Multi-Use | From bbq thermometer to baking thermometer, our digital food thermometer for cooking is perfect for meats, liquids, deep frying and candy making. For air fryer, oven, grill, BBQ, griddle, smoker, kitchen and outdoors.
- Easy-Read Digital Thermometer For Cooking | Large instant thermometer dial with bright blue backlight means you can always read the temperature, whether you are grilling in the dark or baking in your kitchen. Perfect must have grilling accessory for kitchen essentials.
- Waterproof (IP67) | Perfect digital cooking thermometer for meat, our digital meat thermometer for food of any kind is waterproof IP67 rated and can be washed and cleaned under running water. A must-have among your grilling and kitchen accessories.
- Birthday Gifts for Men | Our meat thermometers for cooking and grilling are delivered in an elegant box, making it the ideal husband birthday gift or mens birthday gift ideas. Makes for the perfect food thermometer for cooking.
Rank #4
- WATERPROOF DESIGN: This thermometer is designed to get wet without ruining the product. It takes splashes without damage, but please note that the unit should not be submersed in water
- RECALIBRATABLE: Using the sleeve the thermometer can be recalibrated for precise measurements
- EASY TO USE, EASY TO READ: The 0.8 inches display is easily seen from all angles
- HIGHLY ACCURATE: Thermometer can measure temperatures ranging from -40 to 450F and -40 to 230C
- NSF: The thermometer is NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified so it complies with all required standards for the quality, durability and cleanability of consumer products
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