What is TiltBridge?

TiltBridge is an ESP32-based WiFi bridge for the Tilt Hydrometer. It picks up your Tilt's Bluetooth gravity and temperature readings and forwards them to cloud services, local dashboards, or fermentation management software — eliminating the need for a nearby phone or computer.

Why Use a TiltBridge?

The Tilt Hydrometer broadcasts its readings over Bluetooth, which has limited range. Without a dedicated receiver nearby, you need to keep a phone or tablet within Bluetooth range of your fermenter at all times. TiltBridge solves this — it's a small, inexpensive, always-on device that sits near your fermenter and relays data over WiFi to wherever you need it.

How It Works

1. Your Tilt Hydrometer floats in the fermenter and broadcasts gravity and temperature readings via Bluetooth
2. The TiltBridge (an ESP32 microcontroller) receives the Bluetooth signals and connects to your WiFi network
3. Your chosen services — Brewfather, Fermentrack, Google Sheets, Brewstat.us, or others — receive the forwarded data automatically

Once set up, TiltBridge runs unattended. Plug it in near your fermenter and it continuously relays your Tilt data with no intervention needed.

Choosing Your TiltBridge Hardware

All TiltBridge builds do the same thing — receive Bluetooth signals from your Tilt Hydrometer and forward the data over WiFi. The only differences are cost, screen size, and how much assembly is involved.

Every option uses an ESP32 microcontroller running the TiltBridge firmware. You flash it with BrewFlasher, connect it to WiFi, and you're done. The sections below walk through each hardware option so you can pick the one that fits.

Cheapest: Bare ESP32 Board

The lowest-cost option. A generic ESP32-WROOM or ESP32-WROVER development board, a USB cable, and nothing else.

What You Get

• Cost: Under $10 for a single board, or ~$6 each in multi-packs
• Screen: None — you manage everything through a web browser
• Assembly: None — just plug in USB for power
• Build time: ~10 minutes (flash and configure)

Key Considerations

• Chip selection matters — You must use a board with a base ESP32 chip (ESP32-WROOM or ESP32-WROVER). Variants like the ESP32-S2, S3, C3, and C6 will not work.
• No visual feedback — Without a screen, you'll check Tilt readings through the web dashboard or your configured cloud service. You also need to find the device's IP address through your router or mDNS.
• Great for tucking away — Since there's nothing to look at, you can hide it behind a shelf or tape it near your fermenter.

Easiest with a Screen: M5StickC Plus

The simplest way to get a TiltBridge with a built-in display. The M5StickC Plus is a complete, self-contained device — screen, case, battery, and ESP32 all in one tiny package.

What You Get

• Cost: ~$25
• Screen: 1.14" color LCD — shows IP address, connected Tilts, and readings
• Assembly: None — it comes fully assembled in its own case
• Build time: ~10 minutes (flash and configure)

Key Considerations

• Smallest screen — The 1.14" display is readable up close but not from across the room. Fine for a quick glance, but if you want to monitor from a distance, consider the D32 Pro build.
• Specific model required — Make sure you buy the M5StickC Plus, not the original M5StickC (without "Plus") or the M5StickC Plus2. The firmware is specific to this model.

Biggest Screen: LoLin D32 Pro + TFT

The most feature-rich option. A LoLin D32 Pro paired with a 2.4" TFT color screen, housed in a 3D printed case. This gives you the largest display — readable from across the room.

What You Get

• Cost: ~$35-40 for the electronics, plus a 3D printed case
• Screen: 2.4" color TFT — large enough to read Tilt data from a distance
• Assembly: Minimal — connect a flat flex cable, screw the board and screen into the case (~5 minutes)
• Build time: ~30 minutes total (assemble, flash, and configure)

Key Considerations

• 3D printer access needed - The case STL files are freely available on GitHub, but you'll need access to a 3D printer or a printing service.
• TFT screen versions - The LoLin TFT 2.4" comes in v1.0.0 and v1.1.0. The physical dimensions differ slightly, so you need to print the case that matches your screen version. The v1.1.0 may also require a screen rotation adjustment in settings.
• Most involved build - Still beginner-friendly (just screws and a cable), but it's the only TiltBridge option that requires any assembly at all.
• Most expensive build - The D32 Pro, Screen, Cable, and Case cost more than other options.

Which Build is Right for You?

Still Not Sure?

• Just want data in the cloud as cheaply as possible? Go with the bare ESP32. It's under $10, takes 10 minutes to set up, and you'll check your readings in Fermentrack.net or your cloud service of choice anyway.
• Want a screen but no assembly? The M5StickC Plus gives you a built-in display in a ready-made package. Plug in, flash, and go.
• Want to read your Tilt from across the room? The D32 Pro with TFT gives you the biggest screen. A bit more work and cost, but the display is worth it if you want at-a-glance monitoring.

All three options use the same TiltBridge firmware, connect to the same cloud services, and support the same number of Tilts. The only differences are screen size, cost, and assembly. You can always start with a cheap ESP32 and upgrade to a screen-equipped build later — they're all independent devices.