Microwave Timer
A simple timer for microwave cooking. Choose from food presets or enter a custom time. An alert sounds when your food is ready.
When you need a timer other than the microwave's
The microwave has its own timer, so why a page? Because the built-in timer stops when the door opens, cannot be used while the oven is running, and cannot remind you about the standing time that most food needs after the beep. Use this timer for the standing time (food continues to cook from residual heat for a minute or two, which matters for reheated rice and for defrosting), for the second stage of a stir-and-continue recipe, and for anything you have put in a colleague's office microwave down the corridor.
Reheating and cooking times (800–900 W)
| Food | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Plate of leftovers | 2–3 min, stir halfway | Cover loosely; stand 1 min. |
| Soup, 1 bowl | 2–3 min | Stir at 90 s; liquids heat unevenly. |
| Cooked rice, 1 portion | 1½–2 min | Add a spoon of water; stand 1 min. Reheat only once. |
| Frozen vegetables, 200 g | 3–4 min | No added water needed. |
| Jacket potato, 1 large | 8–10 min, turn halfway | Prick the skin; stand 2 min. |
| Popcorn, one bag | 2–3 min | Stop when pops are 2 s apart. |
| Mug of water for tea | 1½–2 min | Put a wooden stirrer in to avoid superheating. |
| Defrost minced meat, 500 g | 6–8 min at defrost power | Turn and break up; cook immediately. |
Lower-powered ovens (600–700 W) need about 20–30 % longer; 1000 W ovens about 10–15 % less. Check the label on the door.
Safety and evenness
- Reheat to steaming hot throughout (at least 75 °C in the middle). Stirring halfway is the single most effective step because microwaves heat from the outside and leave cold spots.
- Stand for a minute. Standing time lets heat equalise, which is why recipes include it and why the timer here has a preset for it.
- Cover, but vent. A loose lid or a plate keeps moisture in and splatter down; a sealed container can pop.
- No metal, no whole eggs, no sealed jars. All three end badly.
For hob and oven cooking with several timers, use the cooking timer; for eggs, the egg timer; for baking, the oven timer.
Microwave Timer Uses
Reheating Leftovers
Heat leftovers to the right temperature without overdoing it.
Defrosting
Time defrost cycles precisely for even thawing.
Snack Prep
Quick timing for popcorn, hot drinks, and frozen snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use this instead of my microwave's timer?
This timer is useful as a visual countdown on your screen, especially helpful if you're in another room or your microwave timer is hard to hear.
What presets are available?
Common items like soup (2 min), leftovers (1:30), frozen meal (3-5 min), popcorn (2:30), and beverages (45 sec).
Is it accurate?
Yes, it uses your browser's precise timing. Accuracy is within 1 second.