I have Samsung SmartThings installed in my home.  SmartThings requires a central hub.  That hub communicates with other… SmartThings.  Loads of compatible devices using a number of protocols are available from multiple vendors.  Search Amazon for “smartthings” to see what’s out there.  After these things are connected, you can program automations or routines that define how they operate under certain conditions.  All of this is interoperable with other platforms like Google Home and Alexa.

This post is about using SmartThings to help protect and monitor your beer fridge.  To do that, I use two things – A SmartThings Hub and a Multipurpose Sensor.

The Multipurpose Sensor can do several things including monitor temperature, monitor the open and close status and sense vibrations.A look at the Multipurpose SensorInitially I had planned to use the open/close sensing feature of this sensor for this project.  However, the space between the body of my beer fridge and the door itself was too large.  Fortunately, this sensor also detects vibration.  That means my setup was as easy as placing this in the door.  Depending on your refrigerator, you may be able to use the open/close sensor.

Monitoring Beer Fridge Access

Here you can see an alert that my beer fridge was opened.  Setting that up is as easy as setting up an Automation task in SmartThings to send an alert when vibration is detected.  I found this to be a fairly reliable system although I did get some false positives.  Example, I periodically received notice when the freezer door was opened.  Playing with the sensor location and orientation could help with that.Programming this alert is straightforward.  I Just added an automation that is activated when vibration is detected.  I chose to “send notification to members” which sends a notification to users of the app.  Text message notifications are also an option.

Monitoring Beer Fridge Temperature

The Multipurpose Sensor also monitors temperatures.  Super handy to make sure your kegerator or keezer is doing it’s job.You can also take action based on temperature.  This screenshot shows an alert I received telling me my beer fridge was too warm.  I set the threshold temp to 10 to trigger this alert as you can see from the notification.  That’s just so I could get a screenshot, of course, you’d want to choose a reasonable temp.

Programming this alert is straightforward.  I Just added an automation that is activated when the Multipurpose Sensor goes above a certain set point.  In this case, 40 degrees.  You could just as easy write another automation to let you know if it gets too cold.  I chose to “send notification to members” which sends a notification to users of the app.  Text message notifications are also an option.

Conclusions

If you’re already using SmartThings, this is a fun and inexpensive application.  It’s easy to set up and gives you some good info.

• Samsung SmartThings Hub
• Samsung SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor
• Search Amazon for “smartthings”

Part of our “Homebrew Hacks” Series of Posts!  Full Lineup…

• Adding a Tri-clamp Fitting to a Homebrew Keg Lid!
• Using a Tire Inflator To Check for Keg Leaks
• Control Your Kegerator Or Fermentation Chamber With Samsung SmartThings!
• Monitoring Kegerator or Fermentation Temps With Samsung SmartThings
• Using a Keg as a CO2 Source for Portable Serving!
• Setting Economy Inline Regulators with a Spunding Valve
• Convert Ball Lock and Pin Lock Kegs to Push to Connect
• Adding a Schrader Valve to a Homebrew Keg
• Homebrew Hack: Mimicking Dual Stage Temp Control with a Single Stage Controller
• Mark II Keg and Carboy Washer Mod – Adding a Stainless Steel CIP Spray Ball
• Using the Grainfather to Clean Draft Lines
• Convert Your Mark II Keg & Carboy Washer to a Recirculating Draft Line Cleaning Pump!
• Kegerator Beer Line Temperatures & Reducing Foam with a Recirculating Fan
• Build a Recirculating Draft Line Cleaning Pump
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Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

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