Kitchen timers are one of the best ways to keep you on track in and out of the kitchen. Whether you're looking for a 60-minute timer or a 100-minute timer, you can count on a commercial timer to keep a main dish from being under (or over) cooked. But don't be fooled that commercial timers are only good in the kitchen. Timers are a great way to remind front-of-house staff to check the restrooms, or if you operate a fast casual restaurant or cafe, to do a quick sweep of the dining room. Self-service stations at coffee shops are notoriously messy, but you can keep it clean by setting regular timed reminders to wipe away stray milk and sugars, and discard any trash left behind.
Digital Timer or Mechanical Kitchen Timer?
Kitchen timers have been around a long time. When it comes to choosing between a digital timer or a mechanical kitchen timer, we can't say there's a right or wrong answer. Mechanical kitchen timers often feature the wind-up knob that most of us are familiar from our childhood. You might prefer the nostalgia of a mechanical timer, but keep in mind that if you twist the knob in a hurry you might not land on the exact time you were wanting—if being off a minute or two won't hurt your cooking, then go for it!
With digital timers you get a lightweight piece of equipment with unparalleled accuracy. The great thing about a digital timer is that many feature clips or magnets so you can keep your timer close by, no matter where you are. Plus, some digital kitchen timers feature multiple programs in one unit so you can better prepare for complicated recipes. Unfortunately with digital timers you do face batteries going dead at the most inopportune time (as these things do); combat this by always keeping a stash of batteries on hand.
