How to use the online timer
A slow cooker set for 232 minutes is meant to be left alone, which is exactly why a separate timer running on your phone or laptop is handy for knowing when to check back in. Start it when you switch the cooker on, get on with your day, and come back to lift the lid only once the countdown's finished rather than every hour. Patience pays off with slow-cooked food.
Press Start and away it goes, counting down on its own without needing you to babysit it every few seconds. The only real rule is keeping this browser tab open, since the countdown pauses along with the page if you close it or shut the browser down entirely. Right at zero, a sound plays to let you know time's up, clear enough to hear from the next room over.
Unlike a mechanical kitchen timer, this one doesn't need winding, batteries, or a spot on the bench where you'll remember to look at it. It sits in a browser tab, which means you can check it from your laptop, your phone, or any device with a browser without owning a gadget for it. Minimise the window and it keeps counting; just don't close the tab. If you would rather say put a timer on for 232 minutes, that works too — press Start and the page does the rest.
Common questions
Do I need to install anything to use the timer?
No. It runs straight in your browser, so there's nothing to download and no account to create.
Will the timer keep running if I close the tab?
No. Closing the tab or the browser stops the countdown, so leave it open until the timer finishes.
Can I use the timer on my phone?
Yes. It works in any mobile browser, though the tab still needs to stay open rather than sitting behind other apps for a reliable count.
Does the timer make a sound when it finishes?
Yes, an alarm plays once it reaches zero, provided your device's volume is turned up and the tab hasn't been muted.