Does westbend still make model 40032 triple timer?
Our final tests were for durability. Some cooks grumble that their electronic timers fail after only a year. So we dropped all the timers onto a hard counter from a six-inch height and then into a bowl of water to see if any survived. Once most of the timers had adequately satisfied our initial basic performance tests of accuracy and ease of use, it became evident that the rating would break on the issues of features and durability.
Only one timer, the West Bend Clock/Double Electronic Timer Model No. 40031x, passed performance tests and had all of the functions we were looking for and then some. This model comes equipped with two timers, an easy-to-read display, long timing capability and the ability to count up after the buzzer sounds. In addition to all that, it is also a clock. The simpler West Bend Model No. 40032 won second place because it features a large, easy-reading display and stays solidly on the counter while being manipulated (other lighter-weight models slid easily) for a very good price. The Polder single timer won third place because it times up to 24 hours, counts up after the buzzer sounds and offers the bonus of an attached meat thermometer. The triple timer rated only fourth place because it costs so much for what it is, the battery is a bear to insert, and we were outraged that the battery is not included. The Big Digit rated last because it doesn't show seconds.
The remaining electronic timers, little different from each other, were rated on design. The Cooper Chef's Timer-Stopwatch was downgraded, as we didn't buy the logic of carrying the timer around our necks.
How items were judged
Eight electronic timers from six different companies were tested and judged on the basis of the following criteria. West Bend sells an additional single timer with smaller buttons; we chose the 40331x model because it was exactly the same with larger buttons.
- Price: Retail prices from New York City and Boston kitchen stores and mail-order catalogs.
- Maximum time: Two of the most important features of an electronic timer are that it time foods that cook for several hours and display seconds as well as minutes. The seconds display is crucial for professional cooks or for home cooks timing eggs or other items requiring precision. Timers that counted more than 100 minutes and displayed seconds were rated more highly than those that didn't.
- Number of timers: If you're going to buy a timer, you might as well buy one that can time more than one dish at the same time.
- Counts up after beep sounds: All of the timers count down from the programmed time to zero. In addition, timers with this feature continue counting back up after the programmed time has been reached. This feature is desirable for recipe development and testing. And if you miss the beep, you'll see how long the food has cooked past the set time.
- Interrupt: This feature allows the cook to stop the timer to interrupt cooking and start it again.
- Clock: A timer that also functions independently as a clock is not common. But if your stove doesn't have a built-in clock, it proves handy.
- Memory: If you hit start again after the bell sounds, the timer begins timing from the last programmed time. We couldn't think of many situations in which this would be necessary, so it didn't carry much weight in the rating.
Tester's comments
- West Bend Clock/Double Timer: Our favorite, reasonably priced model does everything we want: times up to 24 hours, counts down and up, times two foods at the same time, and serves as a clock.
- Polder Thermometer/Timer: High-tech design single timer counts down and up and does double duty as a meat thermometer! provocative idea, but keep in mind that you can buy the winning model and an instant-read thermometer for the same or less money.
- EK Digital: Expensive single timer boasts a sleek design but small display and is easy to knock over while setting.
- Cooper Chef's Timer: Very lightweight single timer hangs around the neck for those who want to carry the timer with them. Costs more money than you need to spend.
- West Bend Timer Model No. 40030: Solid if unexciting second-place winner is an inexpensive single timer, and times minutes and seconds, but for an extra $6, why not buy the West Bend Double?
- West Bend Triple Timer: Expensive timer counts down with three independent timers. Open the package to find that you must buy the battery. It only rated highly because, as advertised, it times three foods at once. But for $4 less you can buy two of the winning timers.
- Terraillon Micro-Timer: Small, cheesy-feeling, single timer has a small display; for just a bit more you could buy the winning West Bend.
- Time Check Big Digit: Large display timer doesn't display seconds but times up to 20 hours.
×