Customer Reviews

Kitrics Keypad Timer/Clock

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this to replace my broken manual wind-up timer. I was obsessively looking for another good mechanical one, but couldn't find a durable one that doesn't look like some sort of whimsical fruit. After comparing it to everything else out there, I'm glad I bought this one. Here's why:

- It's one of the few timer models with a full number pad. Coming from a wind-up model, I didn't want to stand there repeatedly pushing cheap minutes/seconds keys with ingredient-soaked fingers.

- You can operate this timer with ONE finger, WHILE it's on the refrigerator door. The magnet is large (for the unit's size), is centrally located, and there are little tabs at each corner stabilizing the unit against the fridge surface. I don't know who designs other digital timers, but most seem to have their (usually weak) magnets perched on top of some kind of pedestal. Push a keypad button while it's on it's magnet, and the whole thing teeters off. You'd think this would be the first thing taught at the timer design school. . .

- I don't want to spend too much on a kitchen timer. Some of the others cost twice as much as this one. For the same great "Made-In-China" quality. . .

- It uses ONE watch-type battery, changeable with a coin, unlike the Taylor 10-key (the closest similar model to this one).

Other highlights:

- It's also a simple clock. And that's, delightfully, the only other function this device has.

- Using it as a timer, it shuts off automatically after not using it awhile (but still remembers your last time setting when you "wake" it. Very Smart.).

- There's a fold-out hook, in case you want to nail it to the wall.

What I don't like about it:

- This timer is small. Tiny, even. I wish I could read it from across the room, but I can't.

- When it goes off, it's only about as loud as a travel clock, and sounds just like one. Not quite as satisfying an alarm as a wind-up bell, although it's loud enough to be annoying. And no, this one doesn't tick. . .

- There's no folding support, so it's not designed for free-standing. The base is flat, though, so you can actually stand it up nervously on a flat surface. Until, say, a toddler strolls in and bumps the table. . .

I'm always going to miss the sturdy mechanical kitchen timers that we all grew up with. The Lux one with the little rocket-ship dial that I could actually see while sitting in my breakfast nook (NOT the cheap, incredibly unreliable knock-off versions of it available today). I'd trade digital accuracy for one of those old ones, any day. Unfortunately, no one can make 'em like they used to at this price anymore.

Makes timed so cooking convenient. Now I don't have to listen for the oven timer -- I can take this timer with me to any room in the house! Keypad means I can instantly enter or change the length of time or set the clock. Magnetic so it stays on the fridge door when not in use. Excellent product.

This timer is ok. It has a full keypad which is convenient, and a magnet on the back. There are no memory functions sadly, and the alarm is annoying- when you do not turn it off, the beep increases in frequency. But the main problem is that the battery is not available at a normal store. When the battery fails, the timer is useless, unless you want to go to the trouble and expense of ordering a battery online. I wish I had known this when getting this timer.

Love that this timer has a strong magnet on the back, so its not gonna fall off the fridge. Also love the full keypad to make for quick time entries.

My two-year-old is obsessed with watching the timer on the oven and always wanted to use it. So I wanted a toy where he could set the time and watch it count down, and this fit the bill. As a real kitchen timer it is a bit awkward because the button to turn off the alert is a tiny one next to the zero, ie you have to hunt for it. You would think this function would be on a big, prominent button instead.