Kitchen timers: which duration for which food
A kitchen timer is the difference between perfect and overcooked. This cheat sheet covers the most useful countdown times for everyday cooking.
Eggs
Soft-boiled: 6 minutes from boiling. Medium: 8 minutes. Hard: 10 minutes. Start counting only when the water is at a rolling boil.
Pasta and grains
Most dried pasta: 9 to 11 minutes. White rice: 15 minutes covered, then rest 5. Quinoa: 12 minutes. Set the timer before you taste; tasting early is how pasta ends up gummy.
Baking basics
Most cookies: 10 to 12 minutes at 180C. Cupcakes: 18 to 20 minutes. Always set the timer for the lower end; you can add time, you cannot remove it.
Tools
Any timer works if it is loud and visible. Our free online timer covers the common kitchen durations directly, from 1 minute to 2 hours.