Bread Proofing Monitor

A lovely dough
A circuit diagram of the device
Arduino Code 1
Arduino Code 2
Arduino Code 3

Inspiration

As we spend more time inside the house and grocery shelves are bare, society needs a way to make the perfect loaf. Some would argue the backbone of a good loaf is the dough but in fact it all lies in the proofing. Too short, and your loaf will be dense and heavy. Too long, and massive air bubbles will form throughout the bread structure. This made us set out to create a device to ensure the perfect proof. With our device that homemade loaf will be everything you and your family hoped for.

What it does

Our device monitors the temperature inside your proofing drawer and the expansion of the dough. By LEDs changing from a cold blue to a warm red you can ensure that your dough is as cozy as can be. As your dough begins to expand closer to the ping sensor LEDs on a strip will light up one by one tracking your dough's growth. By monitoring these two crucial proofing metrics without disturbing the dough you can ensure a consistent and steady proof.

How we built it

We built this novel device utilizing a strip of LEDs, 4 RGB LEDs, a ping sensor, temperature sensor and a number of resistors. By measuring the inputs of both the ping sensor and temperature sensor with an arduino and displaying them through intricate LED patterns our idea became a reality.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

For years a perfect proof was only attainable by the most skilled of bakers. With our new device we are proud that we can bring the world of bread craft into the homes of millions of Americans.

What we learned

In developing this device our biggest take away was the intricacies behind proofing bread. The chemistry involved in yeast and its imperative role in creating an airy and delicious loaf. By delving deep into this realm of baking we came out with a much larger appreciation for the master bakers of this world. We also learned how to build some cool circuits and integrate them with an arduino.

What's next for the team behind the Bread Proofing Monitor

We hope to build off of our strong foundation in bread craft and move into the world of patisserie. There are countless challenges home-bakers are struggling with from creating nicely layered puff-pastry to perfecting stiff peaks in one's meringue.