Soft-Shoe Shuffle on a Hot Plate, is a method for indicating the actual temperature of the hot rings on an electric stove.
It consists of a small metal figure, male or female, equipped with heat proof dancing shoes. The figure is attached to an extendable arm, so that it can be swung into position, causing it to rest on top of any of the hot plates.
As the plate heats up the figure begins to dance, because its feet contain temperature sensors, and its body conceals the mechanism of an automata.
For a low temperature setting, the figure does a gentle soft shoe shuffle, but as the heat rises it begins to engage in a frantic tap dance, finally increasing in tempo until full blown Irish dancing is achieved, with it leaping clear of the plate.
Other dances are available.
Delux version has synchronised, double figures for duets.
Coming soon - The Frantic Soup Swimmer-- xenzag, Dec 15 2007 For a busy kitchen.... http://www.youtube....watch?v=3tu9XkqI9Yw.... with multiple hot plates [xenzag, Dec 15 2007] Single Figure http://www.youtube....ode=related&search=in simmer mode (without swinging arm attachment) [xenzag, Dec 15 2007] Can we make 'im look like Michael Flatley? http://www.amazon.c...d=1198073367&sr=8-1Somehow appropriate. [RayfordSteele, Dec 19 2007] Little dancing cats ?
Hee hee hee [+]-- 8th of 7, Dec 15 2007 They're for the corrugated metal shed.-- xenzag, Dec 15 2007 I love the idea, though the mechanism needs a little more detail. Is it remotely powered thru the locator arm? Or, as I would prefer, are the joints powered by bimetalic springs or such? Or on second reading, is there a battery hidden in the body?-- MisterQED, Dec 15 2007 // bimetalic springs //
A combination of these with other components made of Nitinol ("memory metal") might work.-- 8th of 7, Dec 15 2007 I hate electric stoves, but I have a wood stove that this would work great on! Could I get a pack of 8 or 16 in "Riverdance" theme?
Dam, I may have to make this too.
Is someone out there working on a sleep replacement better than cafeine?-- MisterQED, Dec 15 2007 Oh I think you are a wealthy man. At least wealthy of croissantage. Plus for you. Adorable and delightful.
By the way, "conceals the mechanism of an automata" is enough detail for this B/2-er.-- globaltourniquet, Dec 19 2007 Faced with the existential dilemma that arises from the cosmic dichotomy between tiny hot plate dancers and guesswork reduction, I will settle upon the dancers every time.-- globaltourniquet, Dec 19 2007 random, halfbakery