A method and apparatus for controlling a cooking apparatus is provided including a microprocessor responsive to a set of user actuable keypads. The control comprises a numeric selector for initiating a cook time duration in minutes corresponding to the numeric selector with a first press. The same numeric selector can add (x) time in seconds to the cook time duration with a second press. And any numeric selector can then add ½ (x) time in seconds to the cook time duration with a third press.