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Using Cooking Mode

Cooking Mode transforms your recipe into a hands-free, interactive cooking experience. With large text, voice commands, automatic timers, and step-by-step navigation, you can keep your hands in the mixing bowl while Sharp Cooking guides you through each step.

This guide will help you master Cooking Mode so you can cook without constantly touching your device.

What is Cooking Mode?

Cooking Mode is a special view designed for active cooking. When you activate it, your recipe transforms into:

Large, readable text optimized for viewing from across the kitchen
Step-by-step navigation that shows one instruction at a time
Voice commands so you can control the app hands-free
Automatic timers that start with a simple voice command
Ingredient highlights that show exactly what you need for each step
Progress tracking so you always know where you are in the recipe

How to Start Cooking Mode {#start}

From any recipe page:

Tap the “Start Cooking” button at the top of the recipe
Choose your unit preference (Metric or Imperial) if you haven’t already
The screen transforms into Cooking Mode with the first step displayed

That’s it! You’re now in hands-free cooking mode.

Tip: You can also start Cooking Mode from the recipe menu (three dots) → “Cooking Mode”

Using Touch

Swipe right or tap “Next” to move to the next step
Swipe left or tap “Previous” to go back a step
Tap the step counter (e.g., “Step 3 of 8”) to see all steps at once

Using Voice Commands {#voice-commands}

Say these commands out loud (no wake word needed):

“Next step” or “Next” - Move forward
“Previous step” or “Back” - Go back
“Repeat step” or “Repeat” - Read the current step again
“Go to step 4” - Jump to a specific step number
“Show all steps” - View the complete recipe overview

Voice recognition works best when:

You speak clearly at normal volume
Your device isn’t too far away (within 6-8 feet)
Background noise is minimal (turn down music, exhaust fans)
You pause briefly before speaking

Working with Timers {#timers}

Cooking Mode can automatically detect time mentions in your recipe and create timers for you.

Setting Timers with Voice

When you see a step that mentions time (e.g., “Bake for 25 minutes”), you can say:

“Set timer” - Creates a timer for the time mentioned in the current step
“Set timer for 10 minutes” - Creates a custom timer
“Show timers” - View all active timers

Managing Timers

Multiple timers - You can have several timers running at once (e.g., one for the oven, one for sautéing)
Timer alerts - You’ll hear a sound and see a notification when time is up
Background timers - Timers continue even if you close Cooking Mode or navigate away

Example scenario:

Recipe step: "Sauté onions for 5 minutes until translucent"

You say: "Set timer"
App responds: "Timer set for 5 minutes"

(5 minutes later)
App: "Your 5-minute timer is complete"

Understanding the Cooking Mode Screen {#screen-layout}

Top Bar

Recipe name - See which recipe you’re cooking
Step counter - “Step 3 of 8” shows your progress
Exit button (×) - Leave Cooking Mode and return to normal view

Main Area

Current instruction - Large, easy-to-read text of what to do now
Ingredients for this step - Highlighted ingredients you need right now
Images - Photos for the current step (if available)

Bottom Controls

Previous button - Go back one step
Next button - Advance to next step
Voice button - Tap to manually activate voice listening (usually auto-detects)

Side Panel (desktop/tablet)

All ingredients - Complete ingredient list with checkboxes
Active timers - See all running timers
Recipe info - Servings, time estimates

Practical Cooking Scenarios {#scenarios}

Scenario 1: Baking Cookies (Hands Covered in Dough)

You’re at: “Roll dough into 1-inch balls”

Your hands are: Covered in sticky cookie dough

What you do:

Say “Next step” when done rolling
The screen automatically shows: “Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart”
Say “Next step” again when ready
Screen shows: “Bake for 12 minutes at 350°F”
Say “Set timer”
Timer starts for 12 minutes
Say “Next step” to continue prep work while baking

Result: You never touched your device with messy hands

Scenario 2: Complex Sauce (Multiple Timers)

You’re making: Bolognese sauce with multiple cooking stages

Recipe steps:

“Sauté vegetables for 8 minutes”
“Add meat, cook for 10 minutes”
“Simmer sauce for 45 minutes”

What you do:

At step 1, say “Set timer for 8 minutes”
When timer beeps, say “Next step”
At step 2, say “Set timer for 10 minutes”
When timer beeps, say “Next step”
At step 3, say “Set timer for 45 minutes”
Say “Previous step” to review earlier instructions while simmering

Result: Perfect timing for each stage, no mental tracking needed

Scenario 3: Hosting a Dinner Party (Multitasking)

You’re doing: Three recipes at once (appetizer, main, dessert)

How you use Cooking Mode:

Start Cooking Mode for appetizer
Get to “Let rest for 10 minutes”
Say “Set timer”
Tap Exit to leave Cooking Mode
Open main dish recipe, start Cooking Mode
Cook while appetizer rests
When appetizer timer beeps, switch back to that recipe
Resume from exact step where you left off

Result: Juggle multiple recipes without losing your place

Adjusting Serving Sizes in Cooking Mode {#servings}

You can change serving sizes even while actively cooking:

Tap the servings number (e.g., “Serves 4”) in the side panel
Adjust the slider to your desired number of servings
All ingredient quantities update automatically throughout the recipe
Continue cooking with the new measurements

Example:

Original recipe serves 4
You’re cooking for 6 people
Slide to “6 servings”
“2 cups flour” becomes “3 cups flour”
“1 tsp salt” becomes “1½ tsp salt”

Important: Adjust servings before you start measuring ingredients. Changing mid-recipe can be confusing!

Checking Off Ingredients {#ingredient-tracking}

As you add each ingredient, you can check it off to track what you’ve used:

Tap the checkbox next to each ingredient as you add it
Checked ingredients show with a strikethrough
Progress bar shows percentage of ingredients used
Ingredient highlights show which items you need for the current step

This helps you:

Not forget an ingredient (easy to do when distracted)
See at a glance what’s already been added
Return from interruptions without losing track

Troubleshooting Voice Commands {#troubleshooting}

Voice Commands Not Working

Check these common issues:

Microphone permissions
- Go to your device settings → Sharp Cooking → Allow microphone access
Voice detection disabled
- Open the recipe menu (three dots) → Settings → Enable “Voice Commands”
Background noise too loud
- Turn down music, TV, or exhaust fans
- Move closer to your device
Browser not supported (web app)
- Voice commands work best in Chrome, Safari, Edge
- Firefox and some mobile browsers have limited support
Speaking too quickly
- Pause briefly before speaking
- Speak at normal pace and volume

Timers Not Alerting

Check these:

Notifications disabled
- Device settings → Sharp Cooking → Allow notifications
Sound muted
- Check device volume
- Check app settings for timer sounds
Browser tab backgrounded (web app)
- Some browsers pause timers in background tabs
- Keep Sharp Cooking tab active or use the mobile app

Steps Not Advancing

Try these:

Swipe gesture not detected
- Try tapping the “Next” button instead
- Make sure you’re swiping on the main content area, not the ingredient panel
Voice command misheard
- Say “Next step” more clearly
- Try the manual tap button instead
End of recipe reached
- You might be on the last step (no next step available)

Tips for the Best Cooking Mode Experience {#tips}

Before You Start Cooking

Read through the recipe once in normal mode to understand the flow
Gather all ingredients and equipment (mise en place)
Adjust serving size if needed before starting
Preheat the oven if required
Set up your device at a safe distance where you can see and hear it

Device Positioning

Safe from splashes - Don’t put your phone/tablet directly next to the stovetop
Visible from work area - Position where you can glance at the screen
Within voice range - 3-6 feet is optimal for voice commands
Angled upward - Use a stand that tilts the screen toward you
Charged or plugged in - Cooking Mode uses more battery for voice detection

Using Voice Effectively

Speak naturally - No need to shout or over-enunciate
Wait for response - Pause after commands to let the app confirm
Use the wake word if your app supports it - Some configurations require “Hey Sharp” before commands
Fall back to touch - If voice isn’t working, tap buttons instead

Organizing Your Workflow

Check off ingredients as you use them to avoid duplication
Set timers proactively - Don’t wait until the last second
Go back when needed - Review previous steps if you missed something
Pause between steps - Don’t rush; take time to complete each action

Managing Interruptions

Timers keep running even if you leave Cooking Mode
Your place is saved - You’ll return to the same step
Minimize distractions - Put your phone on Do Not Disturb (except Sharp Cooking)

Advanced Features {#advanced}

Screen Wake Lock

Cooking Mode keeps your screen awake so it doesn’t time out mid-recipe. When you exit Cooking Mode, normal screen timeout resumes.

Battery tip: Plug in your device for longer cooking sessions

Offline Cooking Mode

If you lose internet connection while cooking:

Steps and ingredients remain visible (recipe is cached)
Voice commands may not work (requires internet)
Timers continue normally
Touch navigation still works

Best practice: Load the recipe while online, then you can cook offline

Scaling Recipes on the Fly

You can adjust servings even mid-recipe:

All remaining ingredient quantities update automatically
Already-measured ingredients won’t update (they’re already in your bowl)
Future steps reflect the new measurements

When this is useful:

Unexpected guests arrive
You want leftovers for tomorrow
Your baking pan is a different size than expected

Custom Timer Labels

When setting multiple timers, add labels to tell them apart:

Say “Set timer for 20 minutes for chicken”
App creates timer labeled “Chicken - 20:00”
When it goes off, you’ll see “Chicken timer complete”

Helpful for:

Multiple components cooking at once
Different oven racks with different times
Sequential tasks with overlapping timers

Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}

Does Cooking Mode work without an account? Yes! Cooking Mode works for all users, logged in or not. However, account holders can save their progress and resume later on different devices.

Can I use Cooking Mode on my phone? Absolutely. Cooking Mode is optimized for phones, tablets, and desktop. The layout adjusts automatically to your screen size.

What languages support voice commands? Voice commands currently work in English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and Swedish. The app automatically detects your language preference.

Does voice control work offline? No, voice recognition requires an internet connection. However, you can still use touch controls offline.

Can I print from Cooking Mode? No, Cooking Mode is for interactive cooking. To print, exit Cooking Mode and use the print option from the recipe menu.

Will Cooking Mode drain my battery? Voice detection uses more battery than normal browsing. For recipes longer than 30 minutes, we recommend plugging in your device.

Can I adjust cooking times in the recipe? You can set custom timers (“Set timer for 15 minutes”), but you can’t edit the recipe text itself while in Cooking Mode. To edit recipes, you need to save them to your cookbook first.

What happens if I get a phone call while cooking? Timers continue in the background. Voice commands will pause during the call. When you return, you’ll be on the same step.

Can two people use Cooking Mode on the same recipe simultaneously? Yes, if you share the recipe link. Each person navigates independently through their own copy.

Does Cooking Mode remember where I left off? If you have an account and the recipe is saved to your cookbook, yes. The app remembers your last viewed step. Without an account, you’ll need to manually navigate back to where you were.

Can I start Cooking Mode from the middle of a recipe? Yes. Scroll to any step in normal view, then start Cooking Mode. It will begin at that step.

Why doesn’t my timer alert when the app is closed? Make sure notifications are enabled in your device settings for Sharp Cooking. Background timers require notification permission.

Can I see prep time and cook time in Cooking Mode? Yes, the side panel (or info section on mobile) shows total time, prep time, and cook time.

How do I disable voice commands? Recipe menu (three dots) → Settings → Toggle off “Voice Commands”. You can still use Cooking Mode with touch controls only.

Can I use Bluetooth speakers for voice commands? Yes, but microphone input must come from your device. Voice output (timer alerts, confirmations) can play through Bluetooth.

What if a step doesn’t have ingredient measurements? Some steps are technique-only (“Stir occasionally”). These steps won’t highlight specific ingredients, but you can still navigate normally.

Can I add my own notes while in Cooking Mode? Not while actively in Cooking Mode. Exit to normal view, add notes, then resume Cooking Mode.

How do I report a problem with voice recognition? Use the feedback button in the main navigation menu. Tell us what command you said and what happened (or didn’t happen).

Does Cooking Mode work with screen readers? Yes, Cooking Mode is designed to be accessible. All buttons have proper labels, and content is announced as you navigate.

Can I use Cooking Mode for meal prep with multiple recipes? Yes, but you’ll need to switch between recipes manually. We recommend opening each recipe in a separate browser tab.

Why can’t I see images for every step? Not all recipes have step-by-step photos. We show images when available from the original recipe source or added by users.

How accurate are voice-activated timers? Timers are accurate to the second. The voice recognition might take 1-2 seconds to process, but once set, timing is precise.

Can I use voice commands in another room? Only if your device can hear you clearly. Voice range is typically 6-8 feet in quiet environments.

What happens to my timers if I close the app? Timers run in the background and will alert you via notification. You can return to the app to see remaining time.

Adding Your First Recipe - Learn how to save recipes for use in Cooking Mode
Organizing Your Recipes - Tag and categorize recipes to find them quickly
Creating an Account - Save your cooking progress across devices
Adjusting Servings and Units - Scale recipes up or down

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