Perfect Cooking Timer
AI-powered cooking assistant with step-by-step guidance
Categories
Steak Rare
Steak Medium
Pasta Al Dente
Soft Boiled Eggs
Medium Boiled Eggs
Hard Boiled Eggs
Perfect Rice
What is the Cooking Timer?
The Cooking Timer is a specialized timer for the kitchen that goes beyond simple countdown functions. Instead of just counting down time, it guides you step-by-step through cooking processes with precise timing instructions, heat level indicators, and professional cooking tips. The tool combines timer functionality with recipe guidance.
With preprogrammed presets for common dishes (steaks, pasta, eggs, vegetables, baked goods) and the ability to create your own cooking sequences, this timer is ideal for hobby cooks and professionals. Voice announcements (text-to-speech) inform you about each step without having to look at the screen – perfect when your hands are busy.
The integrated achievement system gamifies cooking by tracking your cooked dishes and awarding badges. The Recipe Card export function creates shareable cards with timing and instructions. Everything runs locally – no account registration, no cloud synchronization, no data collection.
How does the Cooking Timer work?
1. Select Recipe
Choose from preprogrammed presets: Steaks (Rare, Medium, Well-Done), Pasta al Dente, boiled eggs, vegetable variations, baked products, or rice dishes. Each preset contains optimized timings based on classic cooking techniques. Presets are sorted by categories for quick finding.
2. Start Timer and Follow Instructions
Click "Start" and the tool guides you through each step. At each milestone (e.g., "Flip the steak", "Check pasta") a notification sounds and the text-to-speech announcement tells you what to do. You see the current heat setting (High, Medium, Low) as a visual indicator with flame symbol.
3. Follow Tips and Hints
Before starting each recipe, professional cooking tips are displayed ("Let the steak rest at room temperature first", "Use plenty of salted water"). During cooking, contextual tips appear for specific steps. These hints help avoid common mistakes and achieve optimal results.
4. Unlock Achievements and Export Cards
Each successfully completed recipe is tracked. Unlock badges: "First Cook" after the first dish, "Pasta Master" after 10 pasta dishes, "Iron Chef" after 50 total dishes. Export Recipe Cards as images to share on social media or as personal reference.
Practical Use Cases
Perfect Steaks at Home
Achieve restaurant quality with precise timing instructions. The timer gives exact cooking times for each side depending on desired doneness (Rare, Medium, Well-Done). Voice announcements remind you to flip and about resting time – an often forgotten but critical step.
Pasta Always Al Dente
Never soggy noodles again. The timer considers typical pasta cooking times and reminds you to taste before time's up. Tips like "Save pasta water" or "Never rinse" help beginners achieve authentic Italian results.
Culinary Training & Education
Ideal for cooking schools or self-learners. The step-by-step guidance with timings trains correct procedures and timing sense. The integrated tips teach cooking principles. The achievement system motivates practice and repetition.
Kitchen Multi-Tasking
When preparing multiple dishes simultaneously, the timer with voice announcements helps you not forget anything. You don't need to constantly watch the timer – the voice output informs you while you prepare other ingredients or set the table.
Consistent Results for Batch Cooking
When preparing larger quantities (meal prep, catering), the timer ensures identical cooking times for all portions. Tracking shows you how often you've cooked certain dishes – useful for menu planning and repertoire development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I add my own recipes?
In the current version, you can choose from preprogrammed presets. A future version might enable custom recipe creation. Currently, you can use the presets as a base and manually adjust timings by using pause/resume.
Are achievements saved?
Yes, your cooking statistics and unlocked badges are saved locally in browser storage (LocalStorage). They persist even when you close the page and return later. If you clear your browser cache, achievements will be reset.
Does voice announcement work in all browsers?
Text-to-Speech (TTS) is supported by all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). The quality and voice of the announcement depends on the browser and operating system. Chrome often offers the most natural voices. You can enable/disable TTS in settings.
Are the timings suitable for all stove types?
The timings are guidelines that work for most gas and electric stoves. Induction stoves reach higher temperatures faster – you may need to subtract 10-20% time. Pan type (cast iron, stainless steel, coated) also affects results. After 2-3 tries, you'll know the optimal times for your setup.
What do the heat levels mean?
High = maximum heat (approx. 230-260°C), Medium-High = 190-220°C, Medium = 150-180°C, Low = under 150°C or residual heat. Exact temperature varies by stove. The flame symbol provides visual feedback about the recommended heat setting for the current step.
Can I pause the timer?
Yes, with the pause button you can interrupt anytime. This is useful when you need more time for a step or need to prepare an ingredient. Resume continues the timer at the same point. Reset brings you back to the recipe start.
What is a Recipe Card and how do I use it?
The Recipe Card is an exportable image with all steps, timings, and tips of the recipe. Perfect for printing and hanging on the kitchen wall, sharing with friends, or as a social media post. The image is downloaded as PNG and contains no personal data.
Does the timer work on mobile devices?
Yes, the Cooking Timer is fully responsive and works on smartphones and tablets. Voice announcements also work on mobile. Note that the screen must stay active – enable "screen stays on" in your device settings so the timer doesn't turn off during cooking.
Is my cooking data uploaded anywhere?
No, absolutely not. All statistics, achievements, and preferences stay local in your browser. There's no server communication. Your cooking habits and preferences are completely private and GDPR/DSGVO compliant.
Privacy Guarantee
- ✓ All timings and statistics are only stored locally
- ✓ No recipe data leaves your browser
- ✓ Achievement tracking is completely offline
- ✓ Export functions create local files, no uploads
- ✓ No tracking, no analytics, no cookies
- ✓ 100% GDPR/DSGVO compliant by design