As the colder months approach, a new device called Oru offers an innovative way to keep an eye on wood stoves remotely without constantly checking your phone. It uses a simple, elegant lamp to communicate stove safety through color signals, bringing peace of mind to households relying on wood heat.
- Oru uses a magnetic sensor attached to the stovepipe to measure temperature.
- The lamp changes colors to signal stove status without making noise.
- An app offers detailed temperature monitoring and customizable alerts.
What happened
A new Kickstarter project named Oru has introduced a connected monitoring system for wood stoves, addressing a common safety concern. Unlike other solutions that rely heavily on smartphone notifications, Oru uses a combination of a temperature sensor and a dedicated lamp. The sensor attaches magnetically to the stovepipe, while the lamp, with its minimalist design and wooden base, visually indicates the stove’s status through color changes.
The lamp glows amber when the fire is burning well, yellow when it’s time to add more wood, and red if the stove temperature is dangerously high. This system provides an at-a-glance understanding of the stove’s condition anywhere in the house, reducing the need to frequently check phones or walk over to the stove frequently. The device powers via USB-C and communicates over Wi-Fi, with calibration options through an accompanying app available on both iOS and Android.
Why it feels good
Oru’s approach to safety combines simplicity and elegance, turning an important function into something visually pleasing and easy to monitor. The color-coded lamp serves as a constant reminder that requires minimal effort to understand, allowing users to focus on other tasks without worrying about missing critical alerts. The absence of distracting sounds or constant phone checks can make a household feel calmer and safer, especially in colder seasons when wood stoves are in heavy use.
Additionally, the ability to adjust temperature thresholds and stovepipe configurations through the app means Oru is adaptable to a wide variety of wood stove setups. The product also doubles as a decorative lamp in the off-season, giving it year-round utility and increasing its appeal beyond just a safety device.
What to enjoy or watch next
Oru is currently available for early supporters on Kickstarter for $225, with plans to retail at $299. Shipping is expected to start in November 2026, just in time for winter in many regions. Its thoughtful design and practical function suggest it could become a popular accessory in homes using wood stoves for heat.
Looking ahead, technologies like Oru could inspire similar innovations for other household safety concerns, such as monitoring cooking stoves or irons. For now, this connected lamp offers an attractive, no-fuss way to keep your home warmer and safer this winter.