I find it interesting a lot of people focused on burning the food, when initially I was just thinking about the safety. I guess because if the food needs tending to while cooking, of course I need to be in or right by the kitchen, but when it Can be left alone for 5 or 50 minutes, that’s when the possibility to do other things more likely comes up.
As I get older I have to use a timer. I don’t know if it’s age, or that I have more on my mind and more to do, but I’ve overcooked more food in the last 10 years than in my first 40 years of life.
I’ve never had a massive disaster in the kitchen, but I have twice left a burner on, and and recently the oven, not realizing until much afterwards and grateful I discovered it when I did. I’m shocked I made the mistake, because I’m so paranoid about it.
My SIL had a kitchen fire. She was taking a shower and there was plastic that caught fire on the stove. She thought the stove was off I think and put something plastic on it and went to take a shower. I NEVER leave plastic or paper in or on or near the stove. That’s a rule from my mom. My SIL’s children came running to the bathroom screaming the house was on fire. Also, I’d be reluctant to take a shower while something was cooking, although I might for a roast. I’d still be reluctant though. In the shower you can’t hear or smell anything. I was at her house a month later and my SIL put something plastic on the drive and her son yelled out, “mom, it’s plastic!” She replied, “the stove is off.” Shake my head.
I will go to other parts of the house for foods that cook a long time though and don’t need to be tended to very much, once I know they are at a constant simmer, and I know it won’t bubble over. Mostly, I stay right in the kitchen or attached family room though. I make most meals in less than 30 minutes.
@jca2 Is that right? When the timer goes off the oven turns off? I wonder if that’s true for all new ovens? That would be great. I always use my microwave timer, so I don’t even know the functions of the oven timer. That would be great if the timer on the oven turns off the oven. I’ve always wanted some sort of safety for the stove and oven that after a certain amount of time it would shut itself off. Some hotels have timers on the burners, you can’t turn on the burner without turning on the timer.