Acu-Rite 00654 Digital Cooking Timer ("Barbecue Timer")

The Acu-Rite 00654 Digital Cooking Timer is a count-up and count-down timer that features easy direct numeric time setting for count-down timing. The 00654 "10-hour" timer counts up to or down from 9 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds in 1-second intervals for use in kitchen, lab, laundry, darkroom, or wherever. And it features a 5-digit LCD display with hour and minute numbers more than 5/8 inch tall for easy viewing from a distance.

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White in color with gray pushbuttons, the Acu-Rite 00654 Digital Cooking Timer offers both count-up and count-down functionality plus easy direct numeric time setting. The hour and minute LCD digits are more than 5/8 inch tall for easy viewing (seconds digits are smaller). While the package front says "Barbecue Timer" and "Grill to Perfection," this instrument can be used to time virtually any type of cooking--or any other kitchen or household activity that requires count-down or count-up timing.

To start count-up timing, you simply press the START/STOP button. An arrow icon points up to indicate the count-up mode. To start count-down timing, you enter the time directly and then press START/STOP. An arrow icon points down to indicate the count-down mode. When the time period expires, an extra-loud (but not obnoxious) beeping alarm sounds and count-up timing automatically begins to let you know how much time has passed since the set time period expired.

In the count-down mode, the Acu-Rite 00654 has a convenient memory recall function that resets the timer to the previously set time period at the push of a button. This is handy when you need to check or do something on a recurring periodic basis, such as stirring a sauce or basting a roast. Here's how to use the memory recall function: Let's say that you need to stir a sauce every 15 minutes. You set the timer to count down from 15:00. When time expires, the alarm beeps, and count-up timing automatically starts, you push START/STOP once to stop the beeping, and the timer automatically resets itself to 15 minutes but does not restart. You stir your sauce, and then you push START/STOP again to restart the timer. Because of the timer's memory recall, you don't need to reset the time to 15 minutes.

On the back of the timer is a 4-way holder. When the holder is used as a spring clip, you can attach the timer to, for example, a shirt pocket or an apron. You can also flip out a metal bar to extend the clip, which lets you stand the timer at an angle on a flat surface. The clip's top section pivots up to serve as a hanger so that the timer can be hung on a hook, nail, or the like. And on the back of the clip itself is a magnet that can hold the timer to an iron or steel surface (such as a range hood or refrigerator door).

The 00654 kitchen timer is 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) wide by 3 inches (76.2 mm) high. And, with the 4-way holder folded in, the timer is just 1 inch (25.4 mm) deep. The plain styling and neutral color scheme of this timer will fit in with almost any kitchen decor. The timer runs on one AAA (1.5V) battery, which is included.

Note: The informational card in the packages of the 00654 timers we currently have in stock actually indicates "00656" in the upper right corner. But don't worry. The timer in the package is really an 00654, as indicated on the bar code sticker on the package back. Obviously, the manufacturer is using up some older packages instead of throwing them out. As a result, a little less packaging material will wind up in landfills.