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Best kitchen timers 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated September 1, 2023
My name is Arnold Simmons. I have been a freelance writer for 20 years, focusing mainly on technology related topics. After 47 hours of research including speaking with consultants and experts, and plenty of parents and 20 hours spent testing 10 kitchen timers, I believe that I found the best kitchen timers of 2018.
In this article, I will be categorizing the items according to their functions and most typical features. In this article, I’ve listed down the Top 3 list. These are the best kitchen timers your money can buy.
Best kitchen timers of 2018
Like choosing clothes or cosmetics, choosing kitchen timers should be based on your purpose, favorite style, and financial condition. If you get well acquainted with these basics, you shouldn’t have a problem choosing a kitchen timers that suits your need.
There’s a product for every kind of user on the list of affordable options below. If you’re scouring the market for the best kitchen timers, you’d better have the right info before spending your money.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Ease of use |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Materials |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Construction |
5 points
|
5 points
|
5 points
|
| Price |
4 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the kitchen timers by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – 12 Pack Small Digital Kitchen Timer Magnetic Back And ON/OFF Switch
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this kitchen timers win the first place?
I was completely satisfied with the price. Its counterparts in this price range are way worse. The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product.
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№2 – SMARTRO Digital Kitchen Timer Countdown Up Timer with Long Loud Alarm Big LCD Display Magnetic Back
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this kitchen timers come in second place?
The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money.
4
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№3 – Digital Kitchen Timer Poscoverge Multifunction Large LCD Display
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this kitchen timers take third place?
It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. I hope that the good reputation of the manufacturer will guarantee a long-term work. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built.
4
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
kitchen timers Buyer’s Guide
Methodology
Our testing panel evaluated 1timers, rating them on how easy they were to understand, use, see, hear, and clean, as well as how intelligently they were designed. In the kitchen we used each timer while making our recipe for thin-crust pizza dough, which requires five different timing increments ranging from seconds to minutes, while simultaneously using each unit’s secondary timer to make soft-boiled eggs, which cook for precisely minutes and 30 seconds. We smeared each timer’s screen and buttons with a teaspoon of sticky pizza dough, dusted them with a tablespoon of flour, and then mopped them up with a sopping cloth to see how easy they were to clean. Lastly, we knocked each timer off a counter three times to evaluate durability.
Design Trifecta 360 Knife Block
Admittedly expensive, this handsome block certainly seemed to live up to its billing as “the last knife block you ever have to buy.” The heaviest model in our testing, this block was ultrastable, and its durable bamboo exterior was a breeze to clean. Well-placed medium-strength magnets made it easy to attach all our knives, and a rotating base gave us quick access to them. One tiny quibble: The blade of our 12-inch slicing knife stuck out a little.
Schmidt Brothers Downtown Block
This roomy block completely sheathed our entire winning knife set using just one of its two sides—and quite securely, thanks to long, medium-strength magnet bars. Heavy, with a grippy base, this block was very stable. An acrylic guard made this model extra-safe but also made it a little trickier to insert knives and to clean; the wood block itself showed some minor cosmetic scratching during use.
Schmidt Brothers Midtown Block
This smaller version of the Downtown Block secured all our knives nicely, though the blade of the slicing knife stuck out a bit. With a base lined with grippy material, this block was very stable. An acrylic guard afforded extra protection against contact with blades but made it a little harder to insert knives and to clean; the wood itself got a little scratched during use.
The Insider Pick
The best kitchen scales feature easy-to-read displays, accurate measurements, readings in an array of units, and are easy to clean. The Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale tops our list because it has all of the above features along with a helpful measuring bowl, a timer, and user-friendly buttons.
Each of the scales that made our list has a track record for accuracy, reliability, and durability. But, whether a specific model is right for you will depend on how you plan to use it. For instance, if you plan on measuring ingredients for baking, you will want a scale that gives you instant measurement readings. Otherwise, you will get exasperated as you pause for readings while pouring your ingredients onto the scale.
Also, keep in mind that small weighing platforms are not ideal for large mixing bowls or other bigger items. Large items may make it hard to read the display, or the scale might return inaccurate weights due to awkward weight distributions.
We researched a wide range of kitchen scales looking at the experiences and ratings of hundreds of users and several experts. We decided on our top picks based on consistent, reliable performance, accurate measurements, and affordability.
Lime Green
The Sweethome named the Ozeri Pronto scale as the top budget kitchen scale because of its consistent measurements, lightweight design, and low price. The scale lost points because it automatically turns off after two minutes (a relatively short time), and it’s slow to display weights.
Fiskars Axe and Knife Sharpener
Give the gift of sharp knives. This tool from Fiskars is purpose-built to put a fine edge on everything from camp axes to kitchen knives. Made from FiberComp and featuring ceramic wheels, the sharpener is literally built to last a lifetime.
Bear Paws Shredder Claws
Need to toss a salad? Shred some pork? Fend off guests from getting seconds before you do? Bear Paws are the ideal pick. Made from a BPA-free, FDA approved, and dishwasher safe material, they’re as safe to use as they are fun.
Retro Magnetic Kitchen Timer
Tired of wiping sauce, flour, and egg off of your smartphone? Maybe it’s time to get yourself a kitchen timer. This 5minute timer features an old-school dial with a copper body that can stick to your fridge thanks to its strong magnetic back.
Every chef’s goal is to get the most out of their ingredients. This citrus juicer from FreshForce takes that task both literally and seriously. Drop in any lemon, lime or small citrus and you’ll get out up to 20% more juice than if you were just using your bare hands.
Jolly Green Ekogrips
Cloth oven mitts may have been what your mom and dad used, but they are not necessarily the best option. This pair made from FDA-approved, BPA-free silicone protects from heat and can wash easily. Great for using around the grill or in the kitchen.
Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker
Microwaved popcorn is nowhere near as fun as making up a bowl on your own gas or electric range. This old-school popper features a hand-cranked stir system that keeps kernels moving and prevents from charring. Have the whole family in for a movie night? No worries. This thing can make up to quarts at a time.
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
You don’t have to break the bank in order to get yourself a cast iron skillet. This 12-inch one from Lodge is made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee by a company that’s been in the business of making great cookware since 1896.
Hiku Shopping Button
The way we cook food may not be changing all that much, but how we’re buying our ingredients certainly is. This simple button and accompanying app from Hiku is intended to make the whole process easier. Just scan what you’re running out of or say it into the button and the item will appear in the App. Don’t want to run out to the store? Order online and have it delivered to your front door.
As is the case with conventional pots and pans, the cooking pots on rice cookers can be either built from stainless steel or from aluminum with a non-stick coating, you can even get clay pots on your cooker. The lids can have either metal lid or glass, which you can see through to keep tabs on how your rice is cooking.
Cook timer
Most cookers incorporate a timer that you can program to delay the start of cooking for a specified period of time. This way you can put the rice in the cooker before you go to work and have your rice freshly cooked when you get back home for dinner, or you can put cereal grains on the cooker at night before going to bed and have a hot and nutritious breakfast ready when you wake.
Electronics and intelligent features
If you opt for a budget rice cooker you’ll just basically get an electric steamer with a timer. Mid-range and high-end devices can be much more sophisticated in that they’ll usually have an induction heating element incorporated and logic chips with Artificial Intelligence and fuzzy logic algorithms that will “learn” and adjust cooking temperatures and times to perfection.
How they work
An induction element (what on a gas stove would be called a burner) is a powerful, high-frequency electromagnet, the magnetic qualities of which are generated by electronics under the unit’s ceramic surface. When a pan made from a magnetic material is placed in the magnetic field, the field transfers, or induces, energy into that metal. That transferred energy causes the pan to heat up – and the heat can be raised or lowered instantly by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field, so a rapidly boiling pan can be reduced to a simmer in about two seconds. Once the pan is lifted away, the heating zone switches off. All induction hobs include a power-boost button that will boil a pan of water in around 90 seconds.
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You need a hand held rapid read food thermometer
This thermistor thermometer with a timer has an impressive reading range, from -5to 572°F, and the probe can withstand up to 700°F. At temps reading under 248°F it is accurate plus or minus 1.8°F. The continuous min/max display tells you how hot or cold things got when you weren’t looking. It has a countdown timer and an alarm with four volume settings, the loudest of which is about as loud as a passing subway train. You can also set the alarm to go off when the probe hits either a high or low temp. The low temp alarm can he handy if you use this to read your pit temp on a long cook. I hear so many tales of woe from pitmasters who start a cook and wake up in the morning to learn the fire went out. No more.
The probes are thinner than any thermistor I’ve seen and read within five seconds so ChefAlarm can be used as an instant read, and best of all, the new Pro-Series silicon coated cables are waterproof and submersible so there is no risk of damaging them with rain or when cleaning, a common problem with the metal braided probes common on other meters. It also has a calibration feature so you can fine tune the accuracy. There are big digits and a backlight, a magnet on the back, and it tilts and folds.
Auber SYL-161Thermostatic Temperature Controller
It is crucial for your budget and your health that your refrigerator be set properly. If your fridge runs too hot, food will spoil, need to be discarded too soon, and there is a risk of food-borne illness. Most fridges have a way to adjust the temp. The ideal temp is just above freezing, from 3to 38°F. Below 35°F, frost may form and above 38°F, microbes grow too fast. Because the temp can vary from top to bottom and in the drawers, a good refrigerator thermometer that you can move around is important. An inexpensive liquid thermometer is just fine for this task. It is pretty accurate and it will run forever since there are no batteries involved.
You’ll also need a thermometer for the freezer. I’ll quote FDA “The freezer temperature should be 0°F (-18°C). Check temperatures periodically.” Remember, freezing does not kill bacteria, but it does stop them from growing. Here is a good refrigerator or freezer thermometer. A liquid filled thermometer is a good way to go here. They are pretty darn accurate, don’t need batteries, and you don’t need the speed of a digital. The CDN is low profile and has hooks to hang on the wire racks. Get two, one for the freezer, too.
Tel-Tru BQ300 BBQ Thermometer
So I have written frequently that bi-metal dial thermometers cannot be trusted because most of them are cheap crap, but there is one brand that stands above all the others and it is accurate enough to be a good indicator, especially in smokers, Tel-Tru. Different probe lengths are available, as well as some that glow in the dark. They can be calibrated by turning a large nut on the rear, although it came well adjusted from the factory.
Traditional Fryer
Traditional fryers use substantially more oil than the air fryer. The oil used has to have a high smoking point, and quite often cheap and relatively tasteless. The two types of oil that fit these criteria are di-fractionated palm oil and semi refined sunflower oil. With palm oil being more saturated and having a higher smoking point, it is the preferred choice for deep frying.
Foods high in fat, such as fried foods are also higher in calories. Each gram of fat contains calories whereas protein and carbohydrates contain per gram. Foods high in fat are linked to increased obesity, stroke, diabetes, and cancer risk. Limiting the oil/fat intake can significantly reduce the risks mentioned above.
The main reason you want to dehydrate your food is to preserve the natural vitamins and minerals in the food without getting any spoilage. The main reason food spoils is the presence of moisture and most foods have moisture in it – anywhere from 2% to 96% moisture.
It’s not that the actual moisture in the food causes the food to go bad but the presence of moisture means that bacteria and fungus can grow in that environment. You can’t get rid of bacteria in your environment, but you can limit where it can grows.
You know how it was a big deal that we found water on Mars not too long ago? Because that’s the best sign that life can exist. No water? No life. Simple as that.
Preserving Food
There are a few methods to preserving foods and extending its shelf life. They may vary considerably, but the main purpose is always the same; stop bacterial growth.
If you can find a way to keep bacteria from contacting and thriving on your food, you can preserve it.
One of the most common ways is to freeze your food. By putting your food into a sub-zero environment, nothing can grow on it. But this takes up space in your freezer and requires constant power. What happens if you want to take food with you, say on a hike? As soon as you remove food from the freezer, you start the timer as to when it will thaw and start to go rotten.
Another way is to can your fruits and vegetables. Canning involves submerging your fruits and vegetables in some sort of brine or liquid, trapping them in an oxygen-free environment. If you can’t remove the liquid, remove the oxygen that bacteria need to breathe. Think about pickles, peaches, jams, jellies, and even Korean kimchi. Preserved vegetables in vinegar brine can ferment and preserve the food for up to years in a simple clay pot. Fermenting and preserving food this way takes space and effort to create an effective brine or canning liquid.
The best method, and certainly the easiest for any home owner, is to dehydrate the food. You can preserve the food as long as required in a cupboard or fridge. And when you’re ready to eat it, you can either open up the bag and start munching, add it to your cooking, or rehydrate the food to enjoy it as it once was.
The best method for preserving food is heated air that force-dries the moisture from the food, retaining the food’s structure and nutrients. The air is heated to anywhere between 90-150° Fahrenheit with a fan blowing the air across the surface of the food. The moisture is forced out by the heat and blowing air, while the food remains preserved and intact.
The benefit of using this food dehydration method is that you aren’t restricted by volume. You can dry as much, or as little, as you need. Dry out a couple of tomatoes, or stack up this season’s crop of fresh berries to dehydrate until you’re ready for them months down the track.
The Features
When buying food dehydrators, check to see if you stack the food on top of each other, or you have shelves. You’ll find advantages to both, and we’re not here to advise one way or the other. It entirely depends on how much you’ll use the product.
Vertical shelves make use of a sideways fan, usually mounted in the back of the unit. It blows air smoothly and evenly across all shelves. The real advantage to using a shelving system is that you can easily check different sections of the dehydrator. If you want, you can put different fruits and vegetables on each level, checking each shelf as they go. There’s no need to disassemble the entire unit just to check the tomatoes or the mushrooms.
Try to find a model with an adjustable thermostat. You’ll most likely use the food dehydrator to dry out several different types of foods. But each food is best preserved at different temperatures. For example, if you’d like to dry out some of those herbs you have that you can’t use, you only need to set it at a low temperature around 9degrees Fahrenheit. But if you want something more aggressively dried out, such as fish or fruits, you can set the temperature at 13degrees Fahrenheit.
Take some time to check out the fan size of different models. The size of fan determines how even the air will flow across the surfaces.
The capacity of your machine determines different variables. You’ll have the ability to dry more food, but it will use more wattage to power the unit.
Bigger units can handle large capacities, up to 3square footage of drying space, but the wattage can be high as well. We’ve seen models with 1000+ watt requirements. If you’re going to use this size food dehydrator often, it could be worthwhile, especially if you’re preserving entire boxes of tomatoes, fresh cherries or peaches.
Otherwise, you might want to find a smaller unit. You won’t be able to fit as many foods into the machine, but you can easily store the unit away and power it without breaking the bank on your utility bill. You can still do fruit leathers and homemade kale chips, but a smaller capacity doesn’t have the space needed for a big trip to the farmer’s market.
Good All-rounder
If you’re looking for a unit that can handle all types of dehydrations, look no further. We like this Presto model for its versatility and ability to adapt to wherever you need it to do.
The bottom mounted fan and heating unit gives an even spread of the warm air to consistently dry out the top layer, the bottom, and anything in between. Although this comes with a standard tray stacking system, you can easily add up to 1if you’re looking for more capacity.
The clear top gives you a good look to check on the progress of your food. You can even use the added fruit roll trays to make your own fruit leather.
Don’t worry about adding any extra preservatives into your food, because this unit lets you quickly dry without needing anything other than warm, dry air. The mesh screens also allow for small and sticky foods to be easily dried out, just as well as anything else.
It has an astonishing amount of good reviews. Those who have made complaints note that the unit can be a little noisy. But if you’re drying out food during the day, the noise won’t bother you while you’re out and about. Other than that, it’s a sturdy and reliable machine that gives you quality and consistent results.
Most Powerful
If you’re going to get a food dehydrator, and you know what you’re doing, don’t skimp out on quality. Go for the Excalibur model to get a high-powered machine that handles everything you need it to.
This is no beginner’s model. It’s a high output, efficient dehydration monster that can handle up to trays of horizontal shelving. The rear mounted fan is a wide 7” blade. This means an even, consistent spread of warm air across each shelf.
The 26-hour timer on the adjustable thermostat means that you have complete control over when the machine has your completed food. You can set it, walk away, and come back when you’re ready to empty it.
This has 1Sq. feet of drying space inside the machine. You’ll never be wanting for space, no matter how large your haul of fresh fruits and vegetables. The 600 Watt motor also ensures that there’s no wasted time in drying even the juiciest fruit or stickiest food.
This machine can even take homemade yogurt and speed up the fermentation process, giving you fresh, preservative-free food in record time. A quick drying time also means that you don’t lose as many nutrients in the process, preserving the natural goodness of each food you dry out.
It’s a large unit, which means that if you don’t want to take up your valuable kitchen countertops, you ought to find a dedicated space for it that won’t intrude on your daily routine. You’ll keep using it, so place it somewhere that you can easily access.
Good for Controlled Results
For your money, you want to know that you’re getting a good product that you can rely on. That’s why we’ve included the Cuisinart food dehydrator on our list.
It doesn’t have a lot of controls. The thermostat is simply set to Low, Medium, and High, with an additional option to have fan-only for low-temp foods. But that means that you don’t have to worry about finicky outcomes or complicated read-outs. Those three settings should be able to handle just any fruit, vegetable, or herb that you need to preserve.
The Cuisinart brand helps a lot, in our opinion. These guys know how to produce an effective kitchen appliance. We’re willing to bet that you already have something Cuisinart in your home. It helps to have a trusted brand name standing behind a product that you may not be familiar with.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the kitchen timers by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your kitchen timers wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of kitchen timers
- №1 — 12 Pack Small Digital Kitchen Timer Magnetic Back And ON/OFF Switch
- №2 — SMARTRO Digital Kitchen Timer Countdown Up Timer with Long Loud Alarm Big LCD Display Magnetic Back
- №3 — Digital Kitchen Timer Poscoverge Multifunction Large LCD Display
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about kitchen timers is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
