Cookit – iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch app

Welcome to the pages supporting Cookit. Here you can submit any comments you may have about the application – along with any bugs which you may have found.

What is Cookit? (cook – it)

Cookit is a cooking countdown application designed for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch which allows a user to time a cooked meal to perfection!

You start by entering each of the items you wish to cook, along with their cooking time. The application will then work out when each item is due to be started. A timer and notification system makes sure you are keeping track with the schedule.

You can add items and save them to the library so you can quickly add them again later. Even save entire meals to a library so you can quickly load them again. (Note: this is only with the paid version, not Cookit Lite)

Watch it in action (iPhone full version)

Features (lite and full version)

  • Works out total cooking time
  • countdown until the meal is ready
  • countdown for individual items (when they need to be cooked)
  • alarm and vibrate alerts 1 minute before item is due to start
  • countdown continues and items are saved if you exit the app (so if you get a phone call or put the device to sleep, when you return to the app, the countdown will still be running.
  • Notifications for when the next item is ready even when the app is closed (you must have iOS4.0 or higher for this feature)

Features of full version (as above, plus)

  • Save individual items to a library
  • Save entire meals to a library

Purchasing – Full Version (59p / $0.99c)

CookIt App in the App Store

The app can be purchased from the App Store by searching for “Cooking timer” or you can visit the page by clicking the image above.

Free Cookit Lite Version

CookIt App in the App Store

The free version has the same functionality as the full version, minus the save items and meals feature.

Update 1.1

Fixed bug for timer not working when device went to sleep
Added 4 alarm tones which can be changed from the settings menu (found in the main iphone/ipod settings panel)
Added timer when countdown finishes

Update 1.1.1

Minor bug fixes with timing

Update 1.2

Multiple language support (English & Spanish … more to follow)

Update 1.2.1

Update to fix crashes experienced when adding / editing items
Fixed several memory leaks

Update 1.2.2

Minor update to fix alarm not sounding

Update 1.3

Update to support iOS 4
Added new interface (this was waiting for V2, but I thought it would be nice to release early!)
Fixed the issue with device going to sleep in OS4. Please let me know if this is not working as I could only test on 3Gs. Hopefully iPhone 4 should be the same.

Update 2.0

Added library for saving meals and items
updated iOS4 support
new icons for retina display
added notifications when app is closed (requires iOS4 or higher)

  • David

    Just received the updated 1.1 version – loving that you can change the sounds now for alarms. I didn’t like the original one – too high pitched! thanks for a great app!!

  • Jen

    Great App! Really helpful

  • Nick

    I really needed an app like this. I have just purchased it and it crashes as soon as I press ‘Add item’. It does this all the time, I cannot use it. I am using an iPod touch with the latest software release. I want to contact you direct as I do not want to leave negative feedback on the iTunes store until I hear from you.

  • mattfacer

    Hi Nick. I’ve replied to your email. Just in case you don’t get it though – what version are you running? 3.1.3? Thanks for getting in touch.

  • Cathy

    Finally, an app that let’s you schedule your various dishes. Nice interface, easy to use. Good job!

    My only comment is that if you happen to miss starting one dish on time, it would be helpful to pause that particular timer without affecting the previous timers. This would delay the “ready in” overall timer, but would prevent your dishes in progress from burning. I’m a pretty disorganized cook.

    Thanks for a great app! I was beginning to think no developers saw the obvious need for this.

  • mattfacer

    Cathy :Finally, an app that let’s you schedule your various dishes. Nice interface, easy to use. Good job!
    My only comment is that if you happen to miss starting one dish on time, it would be helpful to pause that particular timer without affecting the previous timers. This would delay the “ready in” overall timer, but would prevent your dishes in progress from burning. I’m a pretty disorganized cook.
    Thanks for a great app! I was beginning to think no developers saw the obvious need for this.

    Hi Cathy. Thanks for the comments. I’ll have a think about how I can delay an item. There’s a new version coming out soon so it’ll have to be a release after that if possible!
    Cheers,
    Matt

  • BigLouis

    GREAT APP! Congrats!

    Only suggestion is if it is possible to change the default 1 min reminder as some dishes may take longer to get ready.

    Good luck!

  • mattfacer

    Thanks BigLouis! Good idea… I’ll see if I can get this in to V2 which is out soon :)

  • http://isicreative.co.uk Tony Miller (aka tonymcr)

    Will your new version sound alarms in multitasking mode?

    Am now using recipe apps and having multitasking will be a great advantage.

    Also looking forward to the other features you mention. Brilliant app by the way.

  • http://isicreative.co.uk Tony Miller (aka tonymcr)

    App not working now. No new updates/comments. I guess app abandoned?

  • mattfacer

    @Tony – sorry. It’s not abandoned.. I’m just struggling for time at the moment!! I have written this in my spare time and at the moment, don’t have any! I’ll try to push an update for OS4 soon… my first born is on her way in 6 weeks, so I’ll have to do it sooner rather than later!!

  • http://isicreative.co.uk Tony Miller (aka tonymcr)

    Hi Matt
    Phew! Glad your still there.
    I understand fully about available time and will look forward to the update as this is such a great concept.

    Wow, your first born. Takes me back a few years. I know it will be a wonderful time, especially when you hear the first scream.

    All the best, Tony

  • http://isicreative.co.uk Tony Miller (aka tonymcr)

    Any news on an update?

  • mattfacer

    Hi guys – quick note to say that I have pushed a quick update to hopefully solve the OS4 issues. Please let me know if you spot any bugs.

    I am working on another version for saving items and full meals – but this probably won’t be for a few more weeks. It’s trying to find the time. I wanted to get this first fix out of the way as people we saying the core functionality wasn’t working – that can’t do!

    Let me know how it goes. Cheers!

  • Tony Miller

    Hi Matt.
    Firstly, how is your new family life. Getting sleep I hope ;-)

    Not sure if I understand v1.3. Having tested it, it does not sound the alarm in either background or locked/sleep modes. It does prevent the phone from sleeping though. Is this the way its supposed to work?

    If it is, I am a bit concerned about battery life if I’m cooking a roast. Is it not possible to configure it to work in at least locked/sleep mode (Im sure it did when I had OS3)?

    Still a great app (especialy the pause bit)

  • mattfacer

    Hi Tony – thanks for the comment. There is still no baby at the moment – she’s now 8 days late! We’re actually hoping that today is the day!!

    As for the app, the alarm will not sound when in background mode as the application still technically not running. I will need to see about pushing a notification to the foreground. Let me have another look through the code and I’ll see if I can sound an alarm at least in background mode… although I suspect it would be better when in sleep mode!

    I’ve also been setting a bit of code for the saving items and meals. I have created a library which saves the items. So when creating a new meal, you can used saved items OR load straight from a saved meals. Not sure when I will get to finish this though – hopefully soon enough!!

    Watch this space :)

  • mattfacer

    Sorry – yes it also stops the device from going to sleep. I might add this to the settings so that you can switch it on or off. What do you think?

  • Tony Miller

    So long as at least the alarm sounds when in lock/sleep mode (which it currently doesn’t), then yes it should have the option to switch on or off stopping the device sleeping.

    All the best for today (or tommorrow/this week)

  • Andre

    Matt

    I love the superb potential of this app…though like others I am frustrated that it doesn’t quite work….I have a 32G uk 3GS running latest OS4 and version 1.3 of app…I find that the app still exits and resets when iphone goes to sleep despite turning off autolock etc. which appears to contradict claims that these issues have been resolved

    Please advise…

    Many thanks

    Andre

  • Andre

    Matt,

    Many thanks for your continued time and effort.

    Latest version (15.12.10 in UK) not only works perfectly, but the upgrades make what was a great app superb – and all in time ly fashion for timing Christmas dinner to perfection!

    Many thanks – Have a wonderful Christmas!!

  • mattfacer

    Thanks for the comments Andre! Great to hear it’s all working for you now :)

    Enjoy your Christmas & New Year too!

  • Leonie Gray

    I have purchased the app – but it is not working at all. I have tried deleting and reinstalling numerous times, but all I get is a black screen. Please help.

  • mattfacer

    Hi Leonie,
    Can you please drop me an email (mattfacer at gmail dot com) and I will help you out. Please confirm which device you have (iphone / ipad / ipod touch) and the version number of the operating system.
    Many thanks,
    Matt.

  • Andy

    Loving the app, but I was wondering if a library item could have multiple stages? Or alternatively multiple meals/dishes from the library could be combined into an overall dinner?
    Eg. For roast spuds there are two stages, parboil and roast. I currently have these as two separate items to be added into the meal. Whereas it would be easier if I could just add one item, or one meal/dish that did these steps. Admittedly not a biggie for roast spuds, but could be useful for other dishes that have multiple stages

    Thanks!

  • http://www.the-best-e-reader.com salli

    great app, but it would be really useful if you could do part times to make a whole e.g. if i’m ding a roast dinner and i want to do roast potatoes i need to par boil them for 10 mins before they go into the oven so i need an alarm say 1 hr before finish telling me to par boil potatoes, then 10 mins later anothe alarm telling me to put potatoes into oven…i can think of lots of examples where thing require more than one step yo complete…is this possible or will it be possible in a future update?
    sorry about spelling…typing on my ipad is problematic!

  • Kimbo

    Loaded lite version of Cookit. Great idea but I have some enhancements that would make it great!. Need to be able to specify end time so we know when to put in the first (longest item. Also prep-times would be good. Also the meal may consist of Starters, mains and Desserts. All having their own end (sit down and eat) time. So possibly assign meal parts to these categories with end times. Also many large joints and red meats neat a “standing” time. I know we could call this another item, but it all adds to the actual cooking experience if we can use the correct term. Maybe app could recognise foods like Beef, chicken etc and allow for an additional standing time, or this could just be an extra generic field (possibly enabled by check box). The alarm would tell when to remove from oven as well as when standing time complete. Anyway …just some thoughts. I could write it myself, but you’ve already started … :)

  • Peter Middo

    Ok, what about steak that you turn at various times, based. On how ‘well done’ you like it. For instance, my wife likes her steaks Medium-Well Done, whereas the older I get the more rare I enjoy mine.

    What I am looking for is a timer exactly like this but one that allows for turning based on the times which I have worked out for my BBQ.

    Is this something that might be considered in future versions? And what about an Andriod version?

  • Lynne

    Hi. App keeps closing when I try to load a favourited and saved meal. I have the full version and am running ios6.

  • mattfacer

    Hi all – thank you for the comments on Cookit! I am currently trying to find some time to develop an updated version. I’ve recently moved house and between juggling this, my 2 year old daughter, work and a wife expecting baby #2, it’s proving to be difficult!! I’ll let you know once I do get some time. Hopefully over the festive period I’ll make some :)

  • Simon

    Hi, great app, just doing my first roast with it.

    Question, is it possible to do conditional items? Such as
    Item 2 starts after item 1?
    Alternatively multiple schedules for a single item, think roasting, like basting alarms, resting time at the end, changes of temperature etc, all within the 2 hour cooking time for the meat joint.

    Regards

    S

© 2013 Matt Facer