Pop-Up Cake Timer?

Decorating By lchristi27 Updated 7 Jul 2007 , 6:13am by Sugar_Plum_Fairy

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lchristi27 Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 10:37am
post #1 of 18

After wandering around my favorite cake supply store, I noticed these cake done-ness timers. They look like the things that come in a turkey, only you put them in the cake and the little red button is supposed to pop up when the cake is done.

Has anyone ever used these? Do they actually work? Or will this go into my cake supply graveyard in the basement?

Anyway, thinking about trying them out but thought I would seek some advice from the experts here. I cant remember the cost off hand, but I don't think they were to expensive..

17 replies
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DoniB Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 10:46am
post #2 of 18

never used them, but I think I saw these in my cake shop, too, and will be eager to see if anyone else has used them!

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lchristi27 Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 10:50am
post #3 of 18

Thanks Doni..I'll be interested to see if anyone uses them. If I hear they work, I'm off to buy them!

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Limpy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 11:47am
post #4 of 18

Haven't used this one,but use one from Ashton Green that looks like a skewer. You put it in the cake, it has crystal in the end & if it turns red the cake is done. It only turns red when the cake turns 195 degrees (F), the correct temp for a fully cooked cake.

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lchristi27 Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 11:54am
post #5 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Limpy

It only turns red when the cake turns 195 degrees (F), the correct temp for a fully cooked cake.




So you put it in the middle of the cake batter? This sounds cool, I'm thinking more and more these things might be a good investment..

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 12:06pm
post #6 of 18

Wow, I've never heard of either one of those. The most "exotic" cake doness (don't know if that's a real word) test I've ever seen was what looked like an old fashioned broom, without a handle, and you pick off a piece of "straw" and test your cake with it instead of using toothpicks. You can hang it next to your oven. I believe its of Amish origin.

(Saw it online somewhere, but can't remember what site).

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Limpy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 12:13pm
post #7 of 18

No, it does not go into the cake batter. You use it to test the cake after it has baked for the suggested time. You stick it in the middle or largest part of the pan & if the tip turns red, the cake is done. If not,return to oven for a few more minutes.

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lchristi27 Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 12:32pm
post #8 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugar_Plum_Fairy

Wow, I've never heard of either one of those. The most "exotic" cake doness (don't know if that's a real word) test I've ever seen was what looked like an old fashioned broom, without a handle, and you pick off a piece of "straw" and test your cake with it instead of using toothpicks. You can hang it next to your oven. I believe its of Amish origin.

(Saw it online somewhere, but can't remember what site).




So you don't put those into the cake?

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Limpy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 1:42pm
post #9 of 18

No, this tool does not work like the cake nail. This is a cake tester (for doneness) and is used after the cake has been baked for the suggested time. It does not go into the oven. You can check it out on the Ashton Green website.

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lchristi27 Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 4:41pm
post #10 of 18

Thanks Limpy, I will do that. Do you prefer to use it rather than the old fashioned method of toothpik comes out clean?

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Limpy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 6:11pm
post #11 of 18

I Do. Because of its length, it goes all the way into the cake.I guess you could just use a meat thermometer & when it reaches 195 degrees (F) you know it is done,but that leaves a large hole (I know,I know, you can cover it with frosting). I have decided to use the money I make on making cakes, to buy good equipment & this tool & my Agbay slicer were two of my special purchases. Happy baking.

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 8:09pm
post #12 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Limpy

I Do. Because of its length, it goes all the way into the cake.I guess you could just use a meat thermometer & when it reaches 195 degrees (F) you know it is done,but that leaves a large hole (I know,I know, you can cover it with frosting). I have decided to use the money I make on making cakes, to buy good equipment & this tool & my Agbay slicer were two of my special purchases. Happy baking.




About how much does this item cost? I'm getting curious since you mentioned it in the same sentence as an Agbay.

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Limpy Posted 5 Jul 2007 , 9:58pm
post #13 of 18

It costs $7.95 (Canadian). The company is located in Ottawa.

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 6 Jul 2007 , 3:20am
post #14 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Limpy

It costs $7.95 (Canadian). The company is located in Ottawa.




That's not bad at all. For some reason when you mentioned having bought that and the Agbay (good equipment) I just thought the price would be high.

Thanks.

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lchristi27 Posted 6 Jul 2007 , 1:16pm
post #15 of 18

I think I'll have to go do some more investigating on the turkey type timers too. If they are not to expensive, might try those out. Or I'm ordering the other one!

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BlakesCakes Posted 6 Jul 2007 , 6:15pm
post #16 of 18

I did some research yesterday. I found disposable ones by Nordic Ware that run about 50 cents each and need to be thrown away after one cake (it can be reused in one cake until that cake is done). Two packs plus shipping would have cost me about $17.

http://www.pans.com/products/nordic-ware-perfect-cake-testers-52530.html

I went to the Ashton Green website and that tester is comletely reusable and runs $8 +shipping. I ordered 2 (yes, pricey--$28 with shipping) because I couldn't find the item online anywhere else.

http://www.ashtongreen.com/product.dhtml?pres=M221_1

Personally, I try not to use throw aways, if I can avoid it. I figure there will be no worries about running out, etc.

Thanks for the heads up on this gadget.

Rae

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lchristi27 Posted 6 Jul 2007 , 10:04pm
post #17 of 18

Thanks for the info! I agree, no disposables..always worried about running out.

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Sugar_Plum_Fairy Posted 7 Jul 2007 , 6:13am
post #18 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlakesCakes

I did some research yesterday. I found disposable ones by Nordic Ware that run about 50 cents each and need to be thrown away after one cake (it can be reused in one cake until that cake is done). Two packs plus shipping would have cost me about $17.

http://www.pans.com/products/nordic-ware-perfect-cake-testers-52530.html.............
Rae




Oh, Rae, I guess I should've checked that link earlier. I started another post when I saw those online earlier today. I thought that what you found were disposable 'pop up' testers. Not the color changing ones.

Sorry.

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