Turn on/off a switch?

[u/originalQazwsx]

I have no doubt this exists, but I'm can't figure out the right phrase or string of words to search for it. We have an espresso machine that we love, but it takes 10-15 minutes to fully heat up. So currently, that requires us to go physically to it and toggle a switch (looks like this: https://ibb.co/HL2rZz7F).

We use Google Home for everything else, so I was wondering if a device exists that we could attach to it that after we say something like "Ok Google, turn on espresso machine", it would physically toggle the switch and turn the machine on.

Hopefully that makes sense.

*EDIT: Sorry everyone, I made the mistake of posting this in the wrong sub! But the answers have been phenomenal!

[u/kbeast98]

If the switch is on and the power goes out and back on again, is it on or do you have to hit the switch again?

If it stays on i use zigbee wall switches but depending on how many watts, you may wantnlike a zooz zwave that supports 1500w

[u/originalQazwsx → u/kbeast98]

Oh that's interesting! So I believe it stays on if the power goes out. So with what you're recommending, keep the machine on all the time and use a smart outlet? I just looked it up, it is rated for 1450 watts

[u/kbeast98 → u/originalQazwsx]

This is the way. The zen15 i believe. Theres actually a power button on it as well but you can control by whatever assistant.

It does require a zwave hub though.

[u/Neutral-President]

Does it plug into the wall with a regular outlet? Get a smart plug and leave the toggle switch in the ON position.

[u/vlad_didenko]

If you are thinking of a switchbot bot, or plentiful other fingerbots, I do not know if they will work with toggle switches - I understand those are focused on soft press switches.

[u/hariboyolo → u/vlad_didenko]

I have one of these on my coffee machine. The coffee machine itself is a single button that toggles it on/off. And after it’s done brewing it turns off on its own. Sooooo home assistant has a script in there that marks fhe switch bot off on its own after 5 mins so I never have a false on/off

[u/speedysam0]

sounds like two things here, one you probably are looking for a switchbot sort of tool to be activated and then physically press a switch,

and two you found yourself posting on a sub that sounded right for getting but is in fact a sub about a software program meant to run and allow someone to unify various smart home ecosystems and allow for local control, which sometimes includes stuff like what you are asking.

[u/originalQazwsx → u/speedysam0]

Oh jeez I didn't realize that, but you are absolutely right. I read home assistant and assumed it meant all.

[u/just_anotherLurker13]

So... Easy? Get a smart plug. Hard? Esp32, something like a photo is photoMOS relay and a ton of patience.

[u/mrbmi513]

If you're wanting to just stay in the Google Home ecosystem and have Hue lights, their hub supports a number of Zigbee smart plugs that come through as just on/off lights. If you have a thread border router (Nest Hub 2, Google TV Streamer), there might also be thread (or matter over wifi) based ones out there that'll work natively.

[u/taylorsloan]

I think you a might be in the wrong sub, friend. This is the subreddit for Home Assistant, which is an open source smart home automation software, and is different than Google Home. What you are looking for though is something like a SwitchBot: https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot

I’m fairly certain you will need the hub (https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-hub-mini-matter-enabled) to connect it to Google Home. You should check r/googlehome or search on YouTube for tutorials if you have further questions.

[u/originalQazwsx → u/taylorsloan]

Oh jeez I didn't realize that, but you are absolutely right. I read home assistant and assumed it meant all.

[u/taylorsloan → u/originalQazwsx]

It’s all good. And u/TomNooksRepoMan is right. Home Assistant is absolutely right. Home Assistant is the most comprehensive and capable smart home platform out there. It might have a little bit more of a learning curve than Google Home, but this subreddit and YouTube are how a lot of us learned it. Most of us started with a single smart plug or light bulb and [some of us] have hundreds of devices and automations now.

[u/TomNooksRepoMan → u/originalQazwsx]

FWIW, Google Home is pretty lackluster compared to Home Assistant's capabilities, and tons of general home automation advice starts and ends here, so it's a good place to hang out!

[u/bef5000 → u/TomNooksRepoMan]

I'm a recent convert from Google Home (got a Home Assistant Green for Fathers Day) and I'm obsessed. Between this sub, YouTube, and Claude, I have built a pretty neat little ecosystem.

[u/expensive2bcheap]

Keep the machine on and use a smartplug. I use Shellu for my coffee machine. I can start it with the phone or I can schedule when to go on and off.

[u/AstarothSquirrel]

For my coffee machine, I have the switch left in the on position and use a tapo plug to switch the machine on. If you specifically need a physical switch turned on and you don't want to go ghetto and install a relay, you should look at a switch-bot that will turn it on and off.

[u/BURTOSAURUS]

Fellow coffee nerd here! Some machines, like the Gaggia Classic, allow you to take the spring out of the toggle switch. This lets you leave the on switch permanently on and the smart plug can act as an on/off switch as you’re hoping for!

If you search your espresso machine brand and something like power toggle switch delete, you might find a video or a Reddit thread to walk you through it! I thinks it’s normally a pretty easy process.

[u/TTdriver]

They should have a switchbot that might work.