Hands-Free Cooking Tips

Your hands are covered in raw chicken. You need the next step. Here’s how to use cook mode without touching your phone.

Keep the screen on

Go to your phone’s display settings and extend the screen timeout to 5 or 10 minutes. Cook mode uses large text specifically so you can read from a distance — but only if the screen stays lit.

Use voice commands

Say “Hey Siri, set a timer for 10 minutes” or “Hey Google, set a timer for 10 minutes” if you need a custom timer beyond what cook mode sets automatically. The built-in timers handle most cases, but voice is there when you need something extra.

Prop your phone up

Lean your phone against a jar, a cookbook stand, or a cheap tablet stand. Angle it so you can read the current step from wherever you’re working — stovetop, cutting board, or counter.

Use your knuckle or elbow

When you need to tap Done to advance a step, use a clean knuckle or your elbow. Cook mode’s buttons are large tap targets designed for exactly this situation.

Wipe-friendly screen protector

A matte screen protector makes smudges easier to wipe off and reduces glare from kitchen lighting. Worth the few dollars if you cook regularly.

Tip

Put your phone in a clear zip-lock bag. You can still tap through the plastic, and your phone stays clean. Works surprisingly well.

Next steps

• Cook step by step — How cook mode works from start to finish
• Plan your week — Line up meals so you’re never scrambling for ideas