Thermoworks ChefAlarm - does countdown timer trigger an audible alarm?

[IowaGirl]

I have never tried to use my ChefAlarm as a timer, but the hubs had appropriated my usual "Big n Loud" timer for something he was cooking, and I needed a timer too. So I thought the ChefAlarm might work. I set its timer to the correct time, made sure the alarm was turned on, and triggered the timer.

When it counted down to zero ... it didn't make nary a peep. Good thing I happened to be looking at it about the time it hit zero, so my food didn't overcook. But that was pure luck.

Okay, so can this thing make a big noisy stink when it's done like my Big 'n Loud timer does? If so, how do I convince it to do this? Or is the timer function on the ChefAlarm merely a counter?

I need something that hollers at me -- "Dang it, Dee, get your butt in the kitchen NNNNOOOW!"

[Attjack]

I don't know the answer but I'll recommend the app Multi Timer. It prevents me from buying a physical timer every time I get the itch to.

[Attjack]

Dan Deter this is the one I use.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jee.timer

[Dan Deter]

Cool. Thanks!

[Attjack]

Lemon Clip makes it.

[IowaGirl]

I don't carry my phone around much, but I do have a timer app installed and I certainly could have used it if I'd thought about it. Good suggestion for next time -- thank you!

[Donw]

I have their TimeStack, and their TimeStickTrio, but unfortunately not the model you mentioned. The TimeStack does have a volume button. I have noticed that unless I set the volume on the TimeStack above the lowest setting I do not hear the alarm. Don’t know if this applies to your model.

[barelfly]

I have the chef alarm as well, Did you happen to have the alarm on mute, or turned down?

The way I have been able to get the Countdown timer to go off is setting the time, hitting start and checking volume.

Also, it does provide a count up so you know how long you are past your time just in case you don’t hear the beep.

[IowaGirl]

I've tried it several times -- I make sure to set the alarm to high volume and make sure the alarm function is also on.

It certainly alarms on temperature, so I know it is able to make noise. Since you say it will alarm on time as well, I'll have to keep fiddling with it -- I am probably missing something really simple.

[barelfly]

IowaGirl

I tried the countdown feature again just now, just to make sure I wasn’t thinking of the high/low temp alarm. I tried just a one minute countdown and it did sound the alarm. I wonder if they are both CA’s, but different versions? I’ve had mine for about 4 years I think. Maybe that’s the difference????

Hope it starts alarming for you soon! 😂

[IowaGirl]

Good point. I'd been using my older one because that's what was closest to hand. I do have a newer one and I'll give that a try.

[IowaGirl]

Hah! barelfly wins a beer. I tried my other ChefAlarm, and it alarms just fine when it counts down to zero. Obnoxiously noisy the way a good alarm should be.

The speaker in the older one must not work anymore. I seldom turn on the alarm function for temperatures (and obviously I don't use these as time alarms either), so I didn't realize this one is not functioning 100%.

Thanks for the suggestion, Barelfly!

[barelfly]

Yay!! And yes, it is a noisy annoying alarm!!

And given the name Chef Alarm, it better alarm! Haha. Glad you have another one! It also reminds me to use the alarm function more!

[IowaGirl]

I'll just have to remember to use the newer red one if I want the alarm to sound. Or use Attjack's suggestion to use the timer on my phone.

Anyways, mystery solved. I appreciate everyone's ideas and help! Thanks, y'all.