Radically Compact Reflow Oven Surprises With Superior Functionality
Reflow projects with toaster ovens have been a familiar sight for years, but let's face it, we're in 2025 now, and occasionally, something fresh catches our eye. That's what happened when we stumbled upon [Paul J R]'s unconventional spin on an age-old project. And let me tell you, the tiniest toaster oven, hailing from the Australian Kmart, stole our hearts!
The star of the show is an ESP32, making its presence known through either the TTGO TTDisplay board or an S3-Zero board mounted on a custom carrier PCB. The temperature monitoring is done via a thermistor, and for controlling the mains power of the heater, a solid state relay steps in to save the day.
All the nitty-gritty details belong to a GitHub repository, but if you're not lucky enough to be an Aussie, you might need to resort to a more standard tabletop toaster oven for your reflow projects.
If you're intrigued but seeking a more sophisticated controller board, this is the perfect chance for us to step in and offer some suggestions.
Hackaday Projects showcases a range of projects on converting toaster ovens into reflow ovens. These projects typically focus on improving the oven's control systems for accurate temperature control, which is essential for reflow soldering[1].
Online DIY electronics communities often provide tutorials and open-source designs on constructing reflow ovens from toaster ovens, complete with hardware modifications and software controls for consistent heating profiles.
For those looking to introduce some intelligence into their reflow oven projects, platforms like Raspberry Pi or Arduino can help create smart controls. These microcontrollers can be programmed to monitor temperature, control heating elements, and even communicate with external devices for remote monitoring or control.
If you can't grab hold of the components mentioned, don't worry – options like Adafruit, SparkFun, and Amazon offer global shipping for Raspberry Pi, thermocouples, solid-state relays, and more. And when local electronics stores or hardware shops fall short, turn to online forums like Reddit's r/DIY, r/Electronics, and Stack Overflow for solutions.
[1] Reflow Soldering: A Comprehensive Guide for Content Creators[2][2] Why Reflow Soldering is Essential for Content Creators Working with Hardware[3]
In the innovative project showcased by [Paul J R], an ESP32, mounted on a custom carrier PCB, takes center stage as the controller for the miniature Kmart toaster oven. For enthusiasts seeking a more advanced controller board, Arduino could serve as a platform to introduce intelligence into reflow oven projects.
