Polder Classic Digital Thermometer and Timer, Meat Thermometer for Cooking, Stainless Steel Probe, 24-Hour Countdown Timer with 40" Long, High-Heat Silicone Cord

I've had the Polder 362-90 for about 5 years. I purchased it after seeing Alton Brown using one on the Food Channel show "Good Eats". Now, I'd be lost without it. It takes all the guesswork out of roasting chicken or turkey or a roast beef or whatever else you care to cook in your oven.You insert the metal probe into whatever you're cooking, set the target temperature and start roasting. When your roast reaches the desired temperature, the Polder will beep to let you know. Perfectly cooked. No wiggling Mrs. Chicken's legs, no pressing on the roast, no "Gee, is it done? I'm not sure." It couldn't be easier.It has a countdown timer (but not a clock) as well. The back of the main unit has 2 strong magnets which allow it to be attached to any metallic surface, vertical or horizontal. The LCD pivots, so no matter where you put the unit, you can tilt the LCD to make it easy to read. A slide switch on the back allows you to change between Farenheit and Centigrade.When you wash the probe, you *must* be careful. The probe is a metal tube that contains a temperature sensor. At the point where the cable from the main unit enters this tube, it is sealed merely by crimping the tube. It isn't waterproof. So during washing, if you allow water around this area, it will find its way into the tube and kill the sensor. This is the basis, I believe, for many of the complaints regarding the probe's fragility.I wrap my hand tightly around the top of the probe when I wash it to prevent this from happening, and I'm still using the original. I use it at least twice a month, so that means it has been used at least 100 times and washed 100 times and it works fine. As far as complaints that the sensor is inaccurate, I've got 100+ perfectly cooked chickens, turkeys and roast beefs that contradict that assertion.If I have a complaint its that the thing has no on/off switch! Its always running and, therefore, draining the AAA battery. This is not a big deal. The first battery lasted about 3 years and the one in it now has about 2 years of use and is still going strong. When the temperature reads "LO", that is the indicator that the battery needs replacement.The Polder 362-90 allows you to know when your roast is done instead of guessing at it. I find it essential and I recommend it. Just be careful when you wash it.***UPDATE 6/2010: After 10+ years of faithful service, my Polder finally quit working. I immediately ordered another. The new one worked accurately twice and then began to underreport temperature by about 30 to 40 degrees F. I tried a backup probe and a new battery with the same result so it would appear to be a problem with the main unit and not the probe. I see that many of the most recent reviews for this product complain of a similar issue. I think Polder may have a manufacturing problem. I would defer purchasing this product until the reviews turn positive again.

This thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking meat perfectly. The display is easy to read and the probe gives quick, accurate results. I love that it doubles as a timer and clips easily to the oven. The cord is long enough to stay outside the oven door without getting in the way. It’s reliable, sleek, and a must-have for any home cook.

I'm replacing a Polder thermometer that I've had for almost 30 years. I absolutely loved the last one. It's so helpful when roasting prime rib or another type of roast. I haven't used this one yet, but I did test it & it was off 1 degree for freezing & spot on for boiling. & the timer alarm worked properly. You can't ask for anything better in a $25. instrument. I highly recommend this product.

We had an older "original" Polder timer for at least five years. When it finally gave up the ghost we explored other fancier options, but in the end decided to buy another one of these timers. The loyalty should count for something in your buying decision. Though as it turns out, there are a few differences from the older "original" version, some of which do not thrill me.On the plus side:* The timer does what it advertises: it lets you know when the time is up. It's fairly easy to set the time (30 minutes, or whatever).* This display is readable, even for older eyes.* The alarm is loud enough to be heard, even at the other end of the house.* Cooking with a temperature probe really really really does make a difference. Over the years, I've been surprised by how often a cookbook's "roast for an hour, or until internal temperature is --" instructions are way off. With the temp probe, I've had turkeys done 45 minutes earlier than the time estimate, and other items need an additional 20 minutes. You'll really appreciate this with grilling and baking (such as scalding milk).* The price is decent.* The magnet on the back makes it easy for this gizmo to live on the side of my fridge.* The one I had previously lasted for quite a while, and I needed to replace the battery only once. (Actually we still have the old one; the temperature probe still works so it's relegated to BBQ duty now.)The negatives:* On the older version, if the timer went off and you ignored or missed it, it would beep for a minute, then take a break (maybe another minute?) and start beeping all over again. So if you'd run outside to check the mail while dinner was cooking, the noise would alert you shortly after you returned. This model beeps once (for a full minute, I think); afterward, it quietly starts counting up. That is, when you eventually say, "Shouldn't that be cooked by now?" you discover that your dish had been overcooking for precisely 13 minutes. Not very helpful.* With both the earlier and current model, I wish there was a way to adjust the time set, not just start over. For example, imagine I had a dish that cooked for 20 minutes, then you add veggies or whatnot, then simmer another 15 minutes. It takes but a moment to set to 20 minutes. Fine. But to set it to 15 minutes for the second round, I have to zero out the timer and count it back up to 15. It's slightly annoying, when what I really want is a "back-arrow." I can live with such minor irritations, mind you; this does not keep me awake at night. But I keep reaching for a product feature that is not there.Overall, this is a good kitchen timer that is likely to do everything you want. It has a few imperfections, but none of them bother me enough to make me go shopping for a replacement.

I wanted to get this for my boyfriend as his broke and was kind of a bad one anyway. I looked and I've owned mine for SIX YEARS! I honestly am not sure if I ever even had to change the batteries, but this little wonder is a work horse and always worked for me. Simple and straight forward, and always worked. I use it mostly for different beef roasts or pork roast when I want a specific temperature such as a prime rib or a beef tenderloin. I've made the best roasts because I didn't have to guess and the programmable are better than a simple probe as you know the moment the meat hits the temp you want. I love this particular one and will stick with this exact one since it's been so reliable, and of course you don't need instructions to use it - it is super easy to understand.

Easy to use , accurate and it came with the battery. No need to spend big bucks on a complicated thermometer. Works very well and is budget friendly