Refrigerator door

[hmspain]

My new refrigerator door refuses to close on its own. I know, fix the door! LOL

I can't see how to do that, so in the meantime I added a contact sensor.

What rule would notify me if the door was open for more than 1 minute?

Trigger on door open? Trigger on door change?

Run the notification (in this case another rule that flashes the lights green), then wait a minute?

Perhaps this belongs in a rule design section, but I thought "How To" fit since other refrigerator questions are here?

Thank you so much for any help!

[hmspain]

I'm running the trigger every minute, and then flash the lights if the fridge contact is open.

Is there a more elegant way?

[velvetfoot]

I've noticed that about new fridges-most of them require a push. That's a step backwards, in my opinion.

I don't use contact, but I do have a hue motion sensor in my freezer door and it's been working great for a couple of years now, I think, on the same batteries.

With the hue,you can use lux, or temperature. I don't use motion, but I guess you could.

[hmspain]

Thank you for the speedy and detailed reply! I put the contact sensor that only triggers closed if the door is fully shut. Seems to work.

[danabw]

The simplest, easiest approach is the Notifications app - it is tailor made for this kind of use.

[velvetfoot]

Good.
I did my survey of fridge doors a couple times ago at Home Depot. I really think it's weird that the majority don't close by themselves. I'd definitely prefer one that does.

[hmspain]

Didn't think of using the notifications app, thanks!

[ritchierich]

@hmspain

Didn't think of using the notifications app, thanks!

I have contacts inside my garage freezer and fridge and the notification app is simple to use for these notifications. Even have it announcing on my Alexa devices too.

[velvetfoot]

I think I had to switch over to RM when l got the Ecolink chime siren.

[Hatallica]

@velvetfoot

I really think it's weird that the majority don't close by themselves.

We just got a new refrigerator on Friday, so I have been paying attention to this. Behavior has been good so far. It is a mix of door design and setup. I doubt that the examples on a store floor are setup correctly (biased for gravity).

[velvetfoot]

@Hatallica

I doubt that the examples on a store floor are setup correctly (biased for gravity).

No, there was definitely a detent on most of the floor models.

[Inge_Jones]

Might be to stop pets and children shutting themselves in accidentally

[danabw]

This seems most likely...even though modern fridges don't lock any more, any airtight box that is large enough for a kid to squeeze into is potentially more dangerous if it closes on its own. I'll take saving one kids life over me having to give my fridge door a push.

[Hatallica]

It would be quite the flexible kid to fit in here. Maybe that is why mine closes.

[marktheknife]

@Hatallica

It would be quite the flexible kid to fit in here.

I assure you, some kids (or pets) can get themselves stuck in the most unexpected places.

[danabw]

Agree...one of my kids hid his brother in the bottom drawer of his bureau!

Another fridge invader:

And this is very common in Manhattan and other expensive cities:

[dnickel]

I have a temp sensor in the egg drawer. If the door is left open a piston notifies my cell through Pushover that the temp has risen beyond a setpoint.

[velvetfoot]

I have this on my fridge door.
It's not smart, but it is wireless.
The sensor is next to the Hue.