I wouldn't want to live without . . .

-
My automatic timer.
What is it?
It is a programable timer. It plugs into the wall and its side has an outlet that you can plug any device into. It can be programmed to turn things on and off at a given time. Its manual describes its use to include having a lamp go on and off at different times which could be used to make it look like someone is home. I use it for my slow cooker.

Why do I love it?
One of my biggest pet peeves with using the slow cooker is that typically things get over done. Meat can get dry and thicker sauces can burn. When working I am gone from the house for 9 hours. This is way too long to set something in a slow cooker to cook, even on low. I had family members search for a programable slow cooker for my birthday this year. I wanted one with a delay start. After much searching, my sister, Jes, and Hugh proclaimed that a slow cooker with that feature does not exist. You can find slow cookers that flip from a cooking setting to a "keep warm" setting after a specific time, but I always find things still cook on "keep warm" and who wants their Hawaiian Chicken "keeping warm" for 7 hours until supper?

This timer allows me to program a time for my slow cooker to start cooking. I get it all set in the morning and it won't start cooking until I want it to. If you worry about food sitting on the counter before starting to cook (I don't - It is very cold out of the fridge, and usually semi-frozen still), you could just freeze a portion of your recipe, like the sauce on a teriyaki chicken recipe, and it would act as an ice pack in your slow cooker. I just got this timer for my birthday and look forward to using it every couple of weeks when I head back to work.

Another great things about this timer? They are inexpensive. Online I have seen non-digital timers for under $10. The one I have is just under $20. Check out Canadian Tire.

Happy Monday!

Comments

  1. Deena @Shoes to ShirazJanuary 18, 2016 at 7:06 AM

    I have the exact issue with my slow cooker. Definitely will grab this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erin VJanuary 18, 2016 at 7:06 PM

    Genius!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shaunacey BonnevilleJanuary 18, 2016 at 7:36 PM

    I'm going to need to get this ASAP because I have the same issues!!

    Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy

    ReplyDelete
  4. rachul.ashleyJanuary 19, 2016 at 8:21 AM

    My husband has a timer on every single thing in our house it seems! hahahaha! But this is a fantastic use for one! Thanks for the idea!!! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 hours off

-
Image
Calder missed nailing our baby's arrival by 4 hours. Boone James Hamilton was born at 3:59 this morning. Boone is doing well. We got back some positive test results today and will hopefully get the remaining few tomorrow. He gets to spend the night with us and at this point that is all we can ask!
Read more

Another embarassing one

-
Image
On Tuesday, I had this brilliant post formulated in my head. Then just before supper the power went out. Although the internet went down with the power, I still could have just written it on the computer to publish in the morning. Instead, I took full advantage of a sick child (who slept on the couch most of the evening) and a husband who was in the city (at his Grade 8's Farewell). I read. And also did some texting. But mostly I read (There was a moment that I thought I should conserve the power on my cell phone in case it the power took its sweet time coming on, but it was short lived. I figured that I could always go charge it in the van. Hugh was glad that it didn't get to that. He pictured me not getting the garage door open (I would have had to have manually open since there wasn't any power). Then he pictured me sitting in the van dying of carbon monoxide poisoning. I wish he would have given me a little more credit when this elaborate daydream was running t...
Read more

Guest Post Luke: Men at Ikea

-
Image
     I've recently been blessed with 2 trips to Ikea in the last 3 months, and with a lot of time on my hands while in Ikea I came to notice a few similarities in all the men walking around there.   As I was taking notes on every man I saw, and mostly myself , I came up with different types of guys and what their role was with their significant other.          The first guy, who I believe to be the most common, is "The Turn Back Man".  This man believes that, just like in racing, if he stays in front of his significant other he can use drafting to increase her speed and keep her on track.  This never works and he subsequently becomes the "Turn Back Man".  He is constantly 4 steps ahead and turning back over and over when SHE sees something else they "might" need.  It is tough, because when entering Ikea men want to do as little walking as possible, but this has us taking even more steps. It is the slight chance that ...
Read more