looking for a cooker with a pin code facility?

flaneurs_lobster

MattMattMattUK said:

A lot of these seem to be a byproduct of the device being made smart, when once a device has been fitted with an operating system it is fairly easy and cheap to bolt on other features even if almost no one will use them. I cannot see a need for a smart oven, but then equally I cannot see a need for a smart washing machine, smart fridge or smart tumble dryer.

I have a "smart" dishwasher. Its "smartness" consists of ordering premium dishwasher tablets from an online grocery store after thirty washes. It does this via an app on my phone and I have to authorise the payment on my banking app.

Well it could, I buy my dishwasher tablets at Lidl.

Neil_Jones

flaneurs_lobster said:

MattMattMattUK said:

A lot of these seem to be a byproduct of the device being made smart, when once a device has been fitted with an operating system it is fairly easy and cheap to bolt on other features even if almost no one will use them. I cannot see a need for a smart oven, but then equally I cannot see a need for a smart washing machine, smart fridge or smart tumble dryer.

I have a "smart" dishwasher. Its "smartness" consists of ordering premium dishwasher tablets from an online grocery store after thirty washes. It does this via an app on my phone and I have to authorise the payment on my banking app.

Well it could, I buy my dishwasher tablets at Lidl.

I had to buy a new washing machine.  I had the option of having it smart and controlling it from my phone and probably ordering the power, softener and what not from somewhere.but I stopped reading after "smart".

I couldn't see the point, because unless it loads and unloads the unit for me, I still have to get up and go to it anyway.  So I bought a so-called dumb one instead, who's smartness is limited to extending/reducing the wash time based on how full it's loaded (or not loaded as the case may be).

I fail to see the point in a lot of smart stuff.  Smart Fridges, be able to see what's inside your fridge you're in a supermarket?  Who wants to do that?  Can't people just open the door and use their eyes before going out?

<insert old man yells at cloud image here>

PHK

I’m quite shocked at how prying and nosey some posters have been. The OP has clearly stated their requirements yet people continue to badger them for information. Which can only be to offer a different solution than the one they need. 

I have a relative with Alzheimer’s and found the only similar solutions available are for Gas Cookers. All suppliers will fit a lockdown valve to prevent use. And there are systems which automatically turn the gas off after a while. 

But for electric there doesn’t seem to be anything available. A child lock is no use, and a PIN would have been perfect. In the end we fitted a device to the distribution board. 

chilswelluk

MattMattMattUK said:

If you mean something like a smart plug you will probably have a problem with that as most smart plugs would not be specified for that level of current draw over a sustained period. Regs also specify that an electric oven should be plugged into a dedicated socket, without adapters, extension leads etc. not with a smart plug. I suspect you will have difficulty finding something "smart" that you can wire directly into the circuit from the consumer unit. 

I never mentioned a "smart plug".  I would fit a properly rated smart MCB at the consumer unit.

chilswelluk

Grumpy_chap said:

Prompted by this thread, I found there are all sorts of domestic appliances that can have a PIN to use option - fridges, lawnmowers, washing machines, tumble dryers, televisions.

Indeed, It seems possible to get almost any device with a pin code, apart from a cooker!  Looks like I will just end up fitting a smart MCB at the consumer unit.

chilswelluk

Vitor said:

PIN codes on washer/dryers make sense in apartment buildings where the residents share a facility and preventing unauthorised use etc.

Apart from some of the models of washing machine offering this are non commercial machines.

chilswelluk

PHK said:

I’m quite shocked at how prying and nosey some posters have been. The OP has clearly stated their requirements yet people continue to badger them for information.

Exactly my thoughts!

chilswelluk

Olinda99 said:

what do you mean by cooker - that covers a multitude of devices from free standing to built in? do you mean just to the oven part or if it was freestanding do you also want to PIN code to the hobs on top for example

A cooker is a British term that normally consists of a free standing unit with an oven and hob:

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/cooker

I want the pin code to apply to the oven and hobs

prowla

PHK said:

I’m quite shocked at how prying and nosey some posters have been. The OP has clearly stated their requirements yet people continue to badger them for information. Which can only be to offer a different solution than the one they need. 

I have a relative with Alzheimer’s and found the only similar solutions available are for Gas Cookers. All suppliers will fit a lockdown valve to prevent use. And there are systems which automatically turn the gas off after a while. 

But for electric there doesn’t seem to be anything available. A child lock is no use, and a PIN would have been perfect. In the end we fitted a device to the distribution board. 

Well, I think some folks might have useful suggestions if they knew the context.

I've not asked questions myself and only suggested a switch, which would be considerably more money-saving than a new cooker (not sure if it's a separate hob and oven, eg.); however, the OP looks to have that option via a smart MCB.

However, a smart MCB could be circumvented by simply unplugging it and putting in a normal one, so again the context is relevant: if it's for child or dementia then that might well work, but if it's for unauthorised use then it can be circumvented.

The idea of a cooker with a PIN is fundamentally flawed in that were the person(s) being prevented in the kitchen at the same time and saw it being entered, then they'd have it: again the context is relevant; a person with dementia might not remember that, whereas a child or unauthorised user very much may do.

The idea of remote control is also flawed, for example a BB outage or WiFi issue could prevent meals being cooked.

Or perhaps if the requirement is to ensure the cooker is turned off after a time to prevent pots boiling dry if left; I once stayed with relatives and was woken up by the smell of burning: a pot had boiled dry and the house was full of smoke; there was someone sleeping downstairs who was in the thick of it and things could have been much worse were it not for my sensitive nose.

So, I think the requests for more information could be relevant and helpful rather than prying.

chilswelluk

prowla said:

However, a smart MCB could be circumvented by simply unplugging it and putting in a normal one.

The idea of a cooker with a PIN is fundamentally flawed in that were the person(s) being prevented in the kitchen at the same time and saw it being entered, then they'd have it

Regarding the MCB, the consumer unit is in a locked attic space, so thats not so much of a concern.

Regarding the PIN being fundamentally flawed, I don't follow that logic.  The weaknesses of a pin apply to any devices with a pin / password and not just a cooker.  As long as the pin can be changed by administrator then thats not so much of an issue. Taking the example of my smart home door lock, I can change the pin as many times as I want, have multiple expiring pins etc.