Abstract: Apparatus for prompting an operator to stir a cooking medium in a cooking appliance, for example, shortening in a fryer vat. The apparatus prompts the operator to stir the shortening vigorously during a cold start. The apparatus may utilize a timer which counts down the time and at time out causes a stir alarm to sound and a message to be displayed to alert the operator that a stir time has occurred. Also, the shortening temperature may be checked to determine whether a specific stir temperature has been reached. When a stir temperature has been reached, the alarm may be sounded and the meassage displayed to prompt the operator to stir the shortening.