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Product Description
An ultra handy and high tech thermometer, the Polder takes a lot of the guesswork out of cooking. It has a pre-settable alarm that works simultaneously with temperature as well as time. Set the alarm to automatically go off when it reaches the temperature you set, or set it to go off when your set amount of time has elapsed. The pre-settable alarm temperature range is from 32 to 392 degrees F, and the alarm is a loud 5-minute alarm. It comes equipped with a longer probe wire measuring 43 inches long. The unit requires one AAA battery for power, and one battery comes included. It also comes equipped with memory for frequently used settings. The Polder makes a great gift idea for any kitchen enthusiast.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
573 of 575 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I've had the Polder 362-90 for about 5 years. I purchased it after seeing Alton Brown using one on the Food Channel show "Good Eats". Now, I'd be lost without it. It takes all the guesswork out of roasting chicken or turkey or a roast beef or whatever else you care to cook in your oven.
You insert the metal probe into whatever you're cooking, set the target temperature and start roasting. When your roast reaches the desired temperature, the Polder will beep to let you know. Perfectly cooked. No wiggling Mrs. Chicken's legs, no pressing on the roast, no "Gee, is it done? I'm not sure." It couldn't be easier.
It has a countdown timer (but not a clock) as well. The back of the main unit has 2 strong magnets which allow it to be attached to any metallic surface, vertical or horizontal. The LCD pivots, so no matter where you put the unit, you can tilt the LCD to make it easy to read. A slide switch on the back allows you to change between Farenheit and Centigrade.
When you wash the probe, you *must* be careful. The probe is a metal tube that contains a temperature sensor. At the point where the cable from the main unit enters this tube, it is sealed merely by crimping the tube. It isn't waterproof. So during washing, if you allow water around this area, it will find its way into the tube and kill the sensor. This is the basis, I believe, for many of the complaints regarding the probe's fragility.
I wrap my hand tightly around the top of the probe when I wash it to prevent this from happening, and I'm still using the original. I use it at least twice a month, so that means it has been used at least 100 times and washed 100 times and it works fine. As far as complaints that the sensor is inaccurate, I've got 100+ perfectly cooked chickens, turkeys and roast beefs that contradict that assertion.
If I have a complaint its that the thing has no on/off switch! Its always running and, therefore, draining the AAA battery. This is not a big deal. The first battery lasted about 3 years and the one in it now has about 2 years of use and is still going strong. When the temperature reads "LO", that is the indicator that the battery needs replacement.
The Polder 362-90 allows you to know when your roast is done instead of guessing at it. I find it essential and I recommend it. Just be careful when you wash it.
***UPDATE 6/2010: After 10+ years of faithful service, my Polder finally quit working. I immediately ordered another. The new one worked accurately twice and then began to underreport temperature by about 30 to 40 degrees F. I tried a backup probe and a new battery with the same result so it would appear to be a problem with the main unit and not the probe. I see that many of the most recent reviews for this product complain of a similar issue. I think Polder may have a manufacturing problem. I would defer purchasing this product until the reviews turn positive again.
You insert the metal probe into whatever you're cooking, set the target temperature and start roasting. When your roast reaches the desired temperature, the Polder will beep to let you know. Perfectly cooked. No wiggling Mrs. Chicken's legs, no pressing on the roast, no "Gee, is it done? I'm not sure." It couldn't be easier.
It has a countdown timer (but not a clock) as well. The back of the main unit has 2 strong magnets which allow it to be attached to any metallic surface, vertical or horizontal. The LCD pivots, so no matter where you put the unit, you can tilt the LCD to make it easy to read. A slide switch on the back allows you to change between Farenheit and Centigrade.
When you wash the probe, you *must* be careful. The probe is a metal tube that contains a temperature sensor. At the point where the cable from the main unit enters this tube, it is sealed merely by crimping the tube. It isn't waterproof. So during washing, if you allow water around this area, it will find its way into the tube and kill the sensor. This is the basis, I believe, for many of the complaints regarding the probe's fragility.
I wrap my hand tightly around the top of the probe when I wash it to prevent this from happening, and I'm still using the original. I use it at least twice a month, so that means it has been used at least 100 times and washed 100 times and it works fine. As far as complaints that the sensor is inaccurate, I've got 100+ perfectly cooked chickens, turkeys and roast beefs that contradict that assertion.
If I have a complaint its that the thing has no on/off switch! Its always running and, therefore, draining the AAA battery. This is not a big deal. The first battery lasted about 3 years and the one in it now has about 2 years of use and is still going strong. When the temperature reads "LO", that is the indicator that the battery needs replacement.
The Polder 362-90 allows you to know when your roast is done instead of guessing at it. I find it essential and I recommend it. Just be careful when you wash it.
***UPDATE 6/2010: After 10+ years of faithful service, my Polder finally quit working. I immediately ordered another. The new one worked accurately twice and then began to underreport temperature by about 30 to 40 degrees F. I tried a backup probe and a new battery with the same result so it would appear to be a problem with the main unit and not the probe. I see that many of the most recent reviews for this product complain of a similar issue. I think Polder may have a manufacturing problem. I would defer purchasing this product until the reviews turn positive again.
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought two timers, this Poulder and a 6 buck Taylor. The Taylor was for timing things that take under 10 minutes and I could set next to the outdoor BBQ. The Poulder was for more complex stuff like actually telling the temperature of the meat (or fish or whatever) when it's in the oven. It works. It works beautifully. My wife loves it.
BUT, this is our second one. The first lasted about four years before the tabs that allow it to sit upright on a countertop either wore out or broke. That meant that it couldn't be seen straight on unless you used the magnetic backing and "pasted" it on the range. I don't know if that will happen again. I don't know if it's a design flaw. It's plastic, so maybe four years is more than I should have expected. The timer still worked, and I suppose Poulder would have replaced it if I wanted to go to the trouble. Giving them the benefit of the doubt and the fact that it does work very well, 5 stars.
BUT, this is our second one. The first lasted about four years before the tabs that allow it to sit upright on a countertop either wore out or broke. That meant that it couldn't be seen straight on unless you used the magnetic backing and "pasted" it on the range. I don't know if that will happen again. I don't know if it's a design flaw. It's plastic, so maybe four years is more than I should have expected. The timer still worked, and I suppose Poulder would have replaced it if I wanted to go to the trouble. Giving them the benefit of the doubt and the fact that it does work very well, 5 stars.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have use Polder brand products including replacement probes for years, but the latest version of probes is a complete and utter failure. The replacements and new probes on recent shipments of thermometers all have a heat-resistant plastic-like coating over the probe wire much like a heavy guage coated wire rather than the prior successful metal mesh exteriors. Those with mesh occasionally kinked if abused by the user, but they never totally failed to give a reading with such short life. The mesh ones were good for one or more seasons. I am thoroughly dissapointed with Polder's "new and improved" probes. This, of course applies to any of the Polder products shipped with the new worthless probes. Another disturbing thing is that the photos of the probes appear to be the old mesh covered good ones and nothing in product description says anything about a different probe.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
works great
I have two of them and bought one more as a gift. I don't ever want to cook without it. I keep one set at 210 to let me know when water is about to boil!
Published 3 days ago by Thomas E. Vogel
2.0 out of 5 stars
Lasted a Month
We ordered this item because we have had one of these for years and we loved it BUT the probe stopped working so we decided to by a new one. Read more
Published 7 days ago by M. McCord
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does the work
Cheap and work, it burns once when the thermometer accidentally touch the oven while I cook, but the manufacturer send me replacement.
Published 9 days ago by James Tam
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great but can be greater
It can be improved with a foldable probe. Try puting the probe into the thigh of a chicken while poaching it and you will know why.
Published 12 days ago by Charles Yeo Pheng Nam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great product
Excellent for my purpose of cheesemaking.. Very accurate way of watching the temperature and the alarm feature is very useful
Published 18 days ago by Cynthia Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
No more guessing if roast is done
No more guessing if the roast is cooked to the proper temp. Just set this thermometer for the desired temp and it will let you know when your roast has reached that temp. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Judy Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second one purchased
Thjs one was purchased for our neighbor. He saw ours and wanted one just like it. We are both very pleased with it.
Published 26 days ago by Sandi Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
I think Reagan was President When......
We bought this timer. Left it out recently in a 2 inch rainfall. Thought I had finally managed to kill it. Took the battery out and let it air dry on a windowsill for two days. Read more
Published 28 days ago by solanco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works great
This timer/thermometer works great. It was easy to figure out the first time I used it. I use it with my smoker.
Published 1 month ago by Nat
4.0 out of 5 stars
hot
You have to understand that it tells the temp from the very tip. If you put it in all the way through meat and it hits the pan it will give a false hot reading. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michele T. Gilleski
