Polder Original Cooking All-In-One Timer/Thermometer

by Polder

• Ultra handy, high tech thermometer has a pre-settable alarm that works simultaneously with temperature and time
• Set alarm to go off when it reaches set temperature, or set it to go off when 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
• Equipped with a longer probe wire measuring 43 inches; requires 1 AAA battery for power, which comes included
• Also comes equipped with memory for frequently used settings; makes a great gift idea for any kitchen enthusiast

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches ; 6.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000CF5MT
• Item model number: 362-90
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (268 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #982 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #5 in Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets > Thermometers & Timers > Timers
  • #6 in Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets > Barbecue Tools > Barbecue Thermometers
  • #16 in Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets > Meat & Poultry Tools

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

579 of 581 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but please see update November 16, 2005

By philo_vance VINE™ VOICE

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. Read more ›

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It Does Everything But Cook For You October 27, 2007

By Ethan A. Winning TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

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.

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless probes render it useless December 22, 2010

By Wayne L. Ridder

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.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Thermometer/timer I've used January 6, 2006

By Frank Popp

I've been using this for at least 10 years and I love it. It's only on it's second set of batteries and it's used almost every day. I haven't had any of the problems with the probe that I've read about and that also gets used frequently--probably at least once a week.

I'm particularly impressed with the fact that it's been left out in the rain several times while attached to the smoker, gotten full of water and as soon as it's dried out it's been as good as new. It's hard to read when the display is full of water.....

This is a terrific value for the money. I bought a back up several years ago thinking my original one must be close to reaching the end of it's useful life, but it's still in the box.

76 of 89 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Reliable November 25, 2004

By Louis S. Toth

I have used this thermometer for the better part of 3 years now, and I am sorry to say that I killed it this Thanksgiving. I had the probe in the turkey, and left the unit sitting on the stovetop. Problem was, all 4 burners were on and fried the internals.

Now I will buy a new one. I used it in the oven, for bbqing, timing, you name it, I got my moneys worth from this guy.

I must now go mourn.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great easy to use timer February 23, 2006

By Sue C. Exley

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great timer. Very easy to use. It's the second time we've purchased this timer. The first one finally stopped working after about 2 years heavy use. We kept the probe, which is fine, as a spare. I give it 4 stars rather than 5 because it would be nice if the alarm was a little louder. It is hard to hear over the sound of frothing milk. Still a great timer.