Bread Toasters/Cookers - improvements to detect smoke

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emmo

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#268174 3-Mar-2020 13:10

Recently, the fire alarm siren sounded in our workplace causing everyone to evacuate the building and wait for the FD to sort out. What triggered the alarm was a toaster that burned residues of bread from previous users. Can happen when lots of people use the appliance, and not bothering to clean after use. This happened twice. Imagine the disruption and time wasted to people in the building and to the FD.

So it got me thinking. Why not incorporate a smoke detector in the toaster/cooker? The toaster/cooker can then automatically switch off as soon as it detects excessive smoke.

As an extension to this idea, why not have power outlets linked to smoke detectors. When smoke is detected, a tripping mechanism cuts power passing to outlets. Similar in concept to the surge/overload mechanism in powerboards.

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#2431883 3-Mar-2020 14:50

Just ban them. Easiest and cheapest solution for most workplaces. They don't care if you can toast bread or not.

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marej

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#2431940 3-Mar-2020 15:20

I agree with just getting rid of toasters. They are not intended for use in a workplace in any case. No one ever cleans their own mess either, thinking someone else such as the receptionist or PA will do it.

Ge0rge

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#2431946 3-Mar-2020 15:29

I'd be gutted if work banned them - no toast at lunch? No way. Luckily we have a person on clean-up for a week at a time, so it makes life easier. I think we've only been turfed out once by the fire brigade, and that was through someone putting their nasty white bread in after someone's Vogels without turning the toaster down from "nuclear" first. Amateur.

Geektastic

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#2431971 3-Mar-2020 16:15

I live on toast. My Dualit is my prize kitchen possession!

Mmmm. Toast. Gaarrrrr!

rscole86

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#2432009 3-Mar-2020 18:10

I have previously worked in an environment where we operated 24/7 with the employee kitchen used a lot. We never in my 9 or so years had smoke due to the toaster. The toaster was replaced every 2-3 years.

Could you not put it next to an extractor fan, assuming you have one?

emmo

13 posts

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#2432208 4-Mar-2020 07:55

If I have the means and money I'll manufacture this improved toaster with integrated smoke sensor myself. I think it would sell especially in workplaces. It might even become a new standard in the future. In our building there are roughly 400 occupants. Every time there is a fire episode, everyone gets out for at least quarter of an hour. 400 x .25 min is 100 hours of unproductive time. Multiplied by say $20/hr. that's $2000 easy. Not counting the time and money spent for the fire brigade. An improved toaster that will cost $30-$50 more, I think could be easily justified.

sbiddle

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#2432228 4-Mar-2020 09:19

Why not have smart toasters that uses cameras and AI to detect how brown the bread is? Somebody could even build an app to let you know when the toast has popped up!

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LostBoyNZ

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#2432261 4-Mar-2020 10:16

sbiddle:

Why not have smart toasters that uses cameras and AI to detect how brown the bread is? Somebody could even build an app to let you know when the toast has popped up!

It's probably weird that I've watched this, but there's an honestly interesting 18 minute video about a Sunbeam toaster from the 60s which detects how brown the bread is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OfxlSG6q5Y

But yes, I expect Wi-Fi enabled toasters aren't far away now :D

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Geektastic

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#2432273 4-Mar-2020 10:48

I had a Philips toaster in about 2002 that used an IR sensor to 'read' how brown the toast was, theoretically ensuring same colour for all kinds of bread.

Sort of worked but no idea what happened to it - house moves etc.

emmo

13 posts

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#2432279 4-Mar-2020 11:01

sbiddle:

Why not have smart toasters that uses cameras and AI to detect how brown the bread is? Somebody could even build an app to let you know when the toast has popped up!

I'm afraid it won't solve the original intent of the improvement in mind. If you read the original post, what triggered the smoke came from residue bread. Your bread may not be brown yet but the residue at the bottom might already be burning. Cameras, AI and an app won't really be useful in this scenario.

MikeB4

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#2432281 4-Mar-2020 11:03

I used to love toast. I cant eat it now and this thread has me wanting toast dammit. 😭

Goosey

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#2432347 4-Mar-2020 12:27

Ge0rge: I'd be gutted if work banned them - no toast at lunch? No way. Luckily we have a person on clean-up for a week at a time, so it makes life easier. I think we've only been turfed out once by the fire brigade, and that was through someone putting their nasty white bread in after someone's Vogels without turning the toaster down from "nuclear" first. Amateur.

Amazes me that people think the 'dial' or 'buttons' are for temperature. These are infact "time"...not temp.

davidcole

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#2432352 4-Mar-2020 12:34

Just switch to this: https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/yp5b5j/introducing-colin-furzes-bread-toasting-knife

coffeebaron

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#2432411 4-Mar-2020 13:35

Hard wire toaster in under an extractor. When toaster is switched on at wall, extractor fan also goes.

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tripper1000

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#2432513 4-Mar-2020 14:31

At one of my previous work places I had to organise a range-hood installation to solve this problem but it only worked if people turned in on of course. I can see toasters etc being banned in work kitchens as there is always some dumb-ass who thinks that giving less F*&ks than everyone else is some kind of special gift or skill.

Edit: grammar.

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