USB BBQ

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0608152132 013
What do you do with 6 PCI USB cards with 5 USB ports each? Chop off the ends of course and wire up a BBQ - [via] - Link & translated page.

Related:
Homemade USB cup warmer - Link.


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Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Dirkus on August 23, 2006 at 7:36 AM

So, is that burning smell from the steak, or from the power traces to the PCI bus on your mobo? Don't get me wrong, I'm not hatin', and it's a really neat hack, but I'm pretty sure you're pushing the limits of what the PSU and motherboard can handle. Anyhow, there's no way to fit a decent sized burger up there, much less a scrumptious porterhouse steak.

My idea of a cool USB-enabled BBQ? Stepper motors on the valves for a gas grill, temperature probes in the meat, and a USB webcam. Plug it all into a computer and have a simple program regulate the temparature, and adjust it accordingly so that your food is cooked exactly to your liking. Have stills from the webcam posted on a mobile device friendly web page so you can view the progress from your cell phone. Have it send you an SMS on your cell phone just before your steak hits medium well, so that when you get out there with a plate and a BBQ fork it's Juuuuust right. Bonus points for having the left and right sides of the grill on separate valves so that my wife can have her leather... er... steak well done, and I can have mine with a little bit of pink in the middle. If someone's up to the challenge, I've got a gas grill for ya!


Posted by: Dirkus on August 23, 2006 at 7:39 AM

So, is that burning smell from the steak, or from the power traces to the PCI bus on your mobo? Don't get me wrong, I'm not hatin', and it's a really neat hack, but I'm pretty sure you're pushing the limits of what the PSU and motherboard can handle. Anyhow, there's no way to fit a decent sized burger up there, much less a scrumptious porterhouse steak.

My idea of a cool USB-enabled BBQ? Stepper motors on the valves for a gas grill, temperature probes in the meat, and a USB webcam. Plug it all into a computer and have a simple program regulate the temparature, and adjust it accordingly so that your food is cooked exactly to your liking. Have stills from the webcam posted on a mobile device friendly web page so you can view the progress from your cell phone. Have it send you an SMS on your cell phone just before your steak hits medium well, so that when you get out there with a plate and a BBQ fork it's Juuuuust right. Bonus points for having the left and right sides of the grill on separate valves so that my wife can have her leather... er... steak well done, and I can have mine with a little bit of pink in the middle. If someone's up to the challenge, I've got a gas grill for ya!


Posted by: Dirkus on August 23, 2006 at 7:51 AM

Gah, double posted. Mods, please delete. Thanks!


Posted by: jerb on August 23, 2006 at 9:22 AM

I see no reason no to tap straight into the 12V bus. you'll have much more current and are much less likely to fry anyhting.

if you wanted something really sick I wouls Say to put a second PSU in your case devoted 100% to a heating coil (lot's of hot plates run off 12V and could be easily modded to accept a molex). now you take those USB ports and use them to regulate temperature, as well as read the temp of the food.


Posted by: AndyPeters on August 23, 2006 at 12:16 PM

So, how long will each card's outputs last? USB provides only 100mA on each port until enumeration, and only an idiot would parallel a bunch of power-supply outputs.

This is possibly the most retarded of the USB port hacks.


Posted by: fstedie on August 23, 2006 at 1:18 PM

LAME. Stupidest thing I've seen in a while. Put your time to use by breaking rocks or something...


Posted by: figgalicous on August 23, 2006 at 1:30 PM

The GoogleTranslate on this page is so nutty! 'The multi...being and saying and rubbing it does, (laughing)


Posted by: japroach on August 23, 2006 at 1:35 PM

jerb your right, the PSU has 100s of times more current available.


AndyPeters: I suspect this is why he used 5 plugs per card. Each host provides 500mA, I'm guessing the card has one host chip. So 5 connections at 100mA = 500mA


Posted by: tms10000 on August 23, 2006 at 2:34 PM

If I had 25 USB ports available, I would either plug 25 of those 'usb powered personal fans' or 25 flash drive and mount an enormous raid of raid flash volume under linux.

Cooking food is better left to solar power.


Posted by: RonGiuntini on August 23, 2006 at 8:44 PM

Silly. What, exactly, does this accomplish or prove? I guess I could crack walnuts with my laptop, too.....


Posted by: ollie on August 24, 2006 at 9:43 AM

I think this is a brilliant. The person who created this is obviously making fun of all of the worthless USB devices out there. And, hey, if you can crack a walnut via USB, more power to ya! :)


Posted by: fpena on August 24, 2006 at 2:46 PM

Worse Make blog entry yet.


Posted by: fpena on August 24, 2006 at 2:47 PM

Worst Make blog entry yet.


Posted by: philliptorrone on August 24, 2006 at 2:56 PM

nothing polarized a crowd, like grilling meat via USB


Posted by: Oracle1729 on August 24, 2006 at 4:30 PM

I have to agree, this is worth things I've seen here for so many reasons already mentioned.


Posted by: Shadyman on August 24, 2006 at 6:25 PM

So how exactly do you clean it?


Posted by: TickleMeElm0 on August 25, 2006 at 5:45 AM

"Anyhow, there's no way to fit a decent sized burger up there, much less a scrumptious porterhouse steak.... Have it send you an SMS on your cell phone just before your steak hits medium well"

Arg. That's just wrong.


Posted by: Landroo on September 23, 2006 at 5:44 PM

Brilliant!
Taking the unthinkable and making it a reality. This is performance art, not a useful invention as some of you clods seem to think.


Posted by: Landroo on September 23, 2006 at 5:45 PM

Brilliant!
Taking the unthinkable and making it a reality. This is performance art, not a useful invention as some of you clods seem to think.


Posted by: yohuge on January 21, 2007 at 3:05 AM

why not just unplug all the internal fans and put the meat on top of the case?


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