Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » kitchen timer roundup

oddly enough i’ve had quite a few readers ask for a kitchen timer guide so i thought i’d put together a roundup before the holiday break. i’ve thrown in a few egg-timers for fun if you’re looking for something specifically for eggs. and if you’ve got any budding chefs in your family these might make a great stocking stuffer or last-minute gift. hope you enjoy!

[image above, clockwise from top left: magnetic timer $12, kitchen tape timer $18, eva solo timer $42, green timer $10, cock-a-doodle timer $10, form kitchen timer $25, orb timer $13.50, alessi timer $29.50]

[image above, clockwise from top left: triple timer $48, mushroom timer $12, connoisseur timer $16, chicken timer $7.99, egg timer $13.50, egg-shaped timer $12.99, hour glass timer $19.95]

[image above: clockwise from top left: martha stewart old-fashion timer $9.99, timey egg timer $3.50, fred-o-matic kitchen timer $16.50 (it whirs and plays music when time is up), timer with magnet $15, skakis timer $1.99]

[image above, clockwise from top left: wall clock with built-in timer $97, set of 2 (teapot and skillet) timers $14, retro timer $8, ladybug timer $18, kids’ timer $10]

It is fascinating the variety of timers there are; no one has to fear of having a timer that does not match their kitchen and kitchen-ware! I personally like the triple, chicken, and wall clock timers.

Badly done Grace. The Mr. Chin timer is not cute, it is not good design, it is simply very poor taste. Perhaps you should educate yourself on the history of this kind of imagery in American culture and its connection to both the legal and social humiliation of a marginalized minority community. This is very disappointing.

Just a note:

I’ve been doing reseach all morning on the Mr Chin Timer. I haven’t heard from anyone other than Sarah yet but I felt a litle uneasy with this one myself. I should have listened to my gut instinct and cut it out. My apologies to anyone who was offended.

I read several articles online and it seems that people are all over the board on whether these are offensive or not because they were created in conjunction with a Taiwanese museum. Either way, I think they’re certainly questionable so I’ve replaced them with another timer.

Grace

fyi, that kitchen tape timer is a real pain - i got one several months back and i’ve had luck with it being accurate and doing a poor job of ringing when the time is up at all. i’m glad to see this post because i’m definitely in the market for another timer!

This is greeeattt!!!! I’ve been wanting to get a new timer and I never thought to look for cool ones. I love all the retro types myself. I’m definitely going to get one of these over an ordinary one now. :D

From Speranza Design’s website:
“The Chin Family” designed by Stefano Giovannoni with Rumiko Takeda is the result of the collaboration between Alessi and the National Palace Museum of Taiwan which grew out of the museum’s wish to open itself yet further to the international scene, and to encourage greater awareness of Chinese history and culture in the West.

I don’t think there is anything offensive about these, as they were actually made to promote Asian culture, and it looks like someone just has a chip on there shoulder. You should still post these and let your readers see all of the designs that you think are interesting. Keep up the good work.

You know, Sarah makes a good point. In and of itself, the Chin timer isn’t offensive. But considering the way Asians have historically been portrayed in American culture, and have been treated (WWII camps spring to mind) here, we should probably tread very lightly on this subject. I think Grace’s sensitive response was appropriate.

What a fun object for a roundup! I have a soft spot for these little mechancial objects. I need a new one, too. I like the shape, color AND price of the Skakis.

The wall clock with built-in timer $97, I have this one, the timer is removable and is fastened with a megnet, so while I use it I stick it on my fridge and when Im done I put it back and it looks great. I just love the retro look. I have the kitchen scale from the same brand (Bengt Ek Design) It’s a retro looking scale with scale measure on one side and a clock on the other. Its so beautiful. http://www.bengtekdesign.se/
I can’t se the scale when klicking on the product, but if you wait a second after seing the boy on the bathroom scale on the home page it will appear a few seconds later.

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