Arduino-Timer for Cooking Beef Slices on Iron Pan

The design was inspired by a product that is also presented on Instructable called "Arduino Basics with Night Light" (https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-Basics-With-...). Originally, the device is only allowed to change the LED lights by pushing down a button; after adding the codes and circuits (added: 3 LED lights, a speaker, and a button), the device is now capable of timing and remind you when you are cooking beef slices on an iron pan.

Speaking in general, a slice of beef with a proper thickness needs around 5 seconds per side to be well-cooked on an Iron Pan. When utilizing this device, all LED lights are turned off initially; if push the left button down, the yellow LED light will be lightened. This is reminding you that if you push the same button again, the machine will start to run a series of light shows and melodies. Conversely, if you do not push down the same button, you push the button at the right, the yellow light then will be turned off. The whole machine will go back to the starting stage. During the timing part, for the first 5 seconds, the red light will be turned on. Then after the 5 seconds have passed, the red light will be switched off, while the yellow light turns into a lighting situation. This change in light reminds the user to flip to another side of the beef slice for cooking it with evenly distributed rareness. After another 5 seconds, the LED lights start to run a series of sequences to switch on and off rapidly like a light show, also, the speaker starts to play melodies; reminding you that your beef slice is well-cooked, do not cook any longer. As the light show has finished, the machine will remain with a single LED blue light, symbolizing that the machine has done with its work. At this time, if you push the left button, the LED will be switched to the yellow light, which goes back to the preparation stage before the series of light shows. However, if you push the right button, all LED lights will be switched off, going back to the initial stage.

*Actual demonstration of all functions are shown in the video in the last step, scroll down to see a detailed visual demonstration with key functions highlighted*

Before you start building your device, please note the following limitation:

*The second button cannot function while the light show goes on and the speaker plays melodies

-need to wait till the light show and melody finish if wanting to turn off the machine*

Step 1: Preparing Materials

For circuits and functions:

- Arduino Leonardo board *1

- breadboard *1

- button *2

- LED lights *4 (any color you want)

- male to male wires *10

-1K Ω resistor (blue) *2

- 100 ohm resistor (the color of three strikes in the middle-brown black brown) *4

- Arduino 0.5W speaker *1 (with female wires connected)

- alligator clip to male wires *8

- pin header *6

For connecting Arduino with laptop:

- Laptop

- microUSB to USB cable *1

- USB to type c dongle *1 (if needed)

For aesthetic need:

- shoe box *1 (need to be able to fit your Arduino Leonardo and breadboard)

- Utility knife *1

- tape *1 roll

- ruler *1 (if wanting to measure the diameters when cutting off the holes)

- decorations (optional, is not included in the steps and pictures)

Step 2: Setting Up the Board

Set up your board according to the images shown above.

*female wires will need the pin header prepared aside to connect with the breadboard*

Before moving on, please make sure the following points:

1. Pins from D2, D3, D4, and D5 are all aligned in the same row

2. Using the correct resistor for each (reference to the image above)

3. The positive (long leg) and negative (short leg) legs of LED lights are clipped to the alligator clip with the correct corresponding clip (long leg at the left, short leg at the right--check image #ˊ)

4. Pins D2, D3, D4, D5, D11, and GND of the same side are correctly connected to each circuit

5. 5V is connected to the horizontal row showing a positive sign

6. GND closer to your breadboard is connected to the horizontal row showing a negative sign

Step 3: Uploading Code Into Arduino Leonardo

Go to this link https://create.arduino.cc/editor/catherinehung0605... and copy the code into your computer, and further upload the code into the Arduino Leonardo board.

If this is the first time you make machines based on Arduino, please follow the steps below:

1. Download Arduino Leonardo

2. Copy the code in the link above

3. Press down the arrow symbol on the left top of the window to upload it

Step 4: Finding Shoebox/Container to Fit the Device (Optional)

This step is optional as having a container to put this device in is not necessary. Yet I suggest you include it, it protects the device and the button will be easier for you to push down at the same time.

The shoebox I found has a dimension of 30.5 cm x 21cm x 12.5cm (length of base x width of base x height). It was quite big for this machine, but it still works. I recommend you find a box with a smaller base so that the Arduino board does not shuffle in the box when moving it. *Notice that the height of the box should be no larger than 26.5cm as the wires of buttons and LED lights are not long enough for them to reach the height (they will need to be fixed onto the top surface of the box)*

Step 5: Making Holes on the Surfaces of the Box

These holes are carved out for the buttons, LED lights, speaker, and microUSB to USB cable to stick out or pass through.

First, holes for the buttons. There are 2 buttons for this machine in total, therefore, we will need to carve 2 holes on the top surface of the box. When the diameter of these holes is 3.1cm, the buttons can be fixed on the top surface the best. If accidentally cut them too widely, you can stuff some thin cardboard between the gaps to fix the buttons at the position. (Note that any place on the surface is acceptable, as long as they are on the top surface of the box) (If feeling the button to be insecure, can use tape to fix them in the position)

*If you think you may confuse yourself about the functions of each button, you can use a marker to write down "on" or "off" on the box in the area above the button to differentiate them ("on" at the left, "off" at the right)*

Second, the holes for LED lights. In my case, there is no cutting off of holes for LED lights sticking out needed. There are already 2 holes on the top surface of my box that fit the LED lights, so I don't need to carve it. If your box does not originally have this, find four spots on the top surface of the box, and cut off 4 holes with a diameter of 0.5cm. (If feeling the LED lights are insecure, can use tape to fix them in the position)

Third, the hole for the speaker. The best fit diameter for this hole is 3.0cm. This time, the hole should be cut in the front side of the box, which has the height of the box and the length of the box as the width and length of this surface. After cutting off the hole, remember to use the tape prepared aside to tape the speaker with the front facing out (see image #9) of the box.

Fourth, the hole for microUSB to USB cable. This hole will be at the side of the box, which has the width of the box and the height of the box to be the length and width of the surface for cutting the hole. There are no exact dimensions for this hole as there is no need to fix the cable in the position. As long as the cable can go through the hole to connect to the laptop outside the box, the hole is greatly carved.

Step 6: Putting the Device Into the Box

Place Arduino Leonardo and breadboard entirely into the box, and fit the buttons, LED lights, speaker, and microUSB to USB cable to each corresponding hole. (According to the photos)

*Tape should be prepared aside for securing each component's position if needed*

Step 7: Done!

Congratulations, you've finished making your device.

Connect your Device with your laptop, and check out the video to see if your machine works correctly! Feel Free to comment below if you have any questions, enjoy~