I created a “Coffee” automation so that my coffee is made downstairs, before I actually have to go downstairs. I just want to go down, grab my coffee and be at my desk. Rather than make it and wait for it! So, I bought a single cup coffee maker which has a mechanical on \ off switch, plugged it into a ZigBee plug, and made it a “Light” opposed to a “Switch” in Home Assistant.
Then I created an automation that turns the “Light” on for 5:30 minutes and then off. About the time it takes for a good brew. I added some notification audio clips to tell me it’s started and when it’s finished, so it’s ready when I go downstairs. I added the “Light” to Alexa, so I can just say “Coffee ON”.
Problem: I don’t want to inadvertently turn the “LIGHT \ Coffee” on after a certain time of day as that’d be potential to, I dunno, burn the house down? So I created the automation to only work between certain times – 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Oh, and if I actually do try it before or after that period… I get a notification. Maybe see the video I made? Yeah, it’s goofy but you get the idea. Thanks for taking the time!