Mechanical Outlet Timers - My Gush Worthy Gadgets

Not Fancy, Just Perfect

These gadgets are so simple, you may even feel a little silly if you've never thought to use them before. No fancy gadgets with lots of bells and whistles to complicate matters. I think a mechanical outlet timer is just a perfect little gadget, so a little gushing may just be required on this page. :)

It's even a good bet you may already have one or two of these timers stashed in the junk drawer at home. Maybe you received one of these awesome gadgets as a gift? Or perhaps you picked one up intending to put it to use but there it sits just waiting till you find the time to "figure it out" or even the purpose you bought it for in the first place?

Whether you're guilty of ignoring these fabulous outlet timers or not, I hope you'll devote a few minutes right now to remedy the situation. Doing so can enable you to make your life just a little more comfortable, you can save yourself more than a little bit of money for the future and you'll also contribute to a greener earth. Win, win, win, right? :)

And besides all the stuff I just mentioned above, putting this gush-worthy gadget to use is something YOU can do yourself. No electrician needed!

Basically, using a mechanical outlet timer simply means this: You can set the time for appliances that are plugged into an outlet to automatically turn on and off at YOUR convenience!

To do this you will need three things:

1. an outlet timer
2. an outlet
3. an appliance

All sorts of uses:

Home security: I listed security first, because this is what I initially bought my first timer for. Set lamps, radios and tvs to turn on and off to give the appearance that someone is home. It gives you peace of mind when you're away from home.

Fans: We don't have air conditioning in our cottage (none needed) but we do use an oscillating fan daily. The timer saves energy because I no longer forget to turn off the fan when we retire for the evening.

Crockpots: When I'm gone all day I will sometimes prep my crockpot with all the goodies and then set the timer so the crockpot begins cooking when desired. More importantly if I'm running a little late I can rest easy knowing dinner is fine. (Before I had a timer I often found myself hurrying home worried I was overcooking the meal.)

Christmas and Holiday Lighting: These timers are perfect for use with Christmas lighting indoors on the tree. There are outdoor timers specially made for exterior Christmas lights too and you will find they are equally easy to use.

Miscellaneous Uses: My daughter uses a timer I gifted her at her business, Malama Day Spa, to turn on her wax warmer to ensure the wax is ready when her first client arrives. This saves her valuable time for those early morning appointments.

What kind of timer is right for you?

There are so many styles and types of timers available. The mechanical outlet timers I prefer are incredibly easy to use and very versatile. All timers come with basic instructions for setting the times you need and if you should lose the paperwork, directions are readily available online.

You'll find digital timers to choose from if you prefer and there are also a few battery-powered timers that can be used to turn off standard light switches on the wall.

I suggest doing a little search and seeing what you can find that may suit your needs, but I will add that personally I adhere to the old saying to "keep it simple". And in the case with these timers, for me, simple is just perfect. :)

Another Great Product in the Timer Family

This brief video explains the difference between a polarized timer or a grounded timer. (I prefer the versatility of a grounded timer.)

This battery- powered timer literally flips the light switch on or off for you! No more fumbling in the dark when arriving home. :)

This compact video demonstrates the basic features of an intermatic timer. Short but sweet!