Michael Sullivan has used a variety of kitchen scales over the years in a catering kitchen as well as for cookbook recipe testing. During our research, we consulted a bunch of other professional reviews to identify some of the most popular scales available, including those from Serious Eats , Reviewed. We also read some editorials, owner reviews, and an article in The New York Times , and we watched a video by Alton Brown preaching the gospel of cooking by ratio.
Kitchen scales are all about consistency. According to Alton Brown , 1 cup of flour can equal anywhere from 4 to 6 ounces, depending on how you measure it, how old the flour is, the size of the bag, and the relative humidity. The same goes for cooking ingredients. Your chop or dice may differ from that of the recipe tester.
Finally, for precision coffee brewing, as when making a pour-over , a scale can help you get an accurate combination of beans and water every time. Weighing ensures consistency. Beyond accuracy, pros use food scales because they make things quicker and easier.
Author Michael Ruhlman told us he likes cooking by ratio because it streamlines the mixing process. And since you can measure all your ingredients into one mixing bowl—subtracting cups and spoons from the equation—using a scale also cuts down on dirty dishes. Anyone who wants more consistent results from their baking, cooking, or coffee brewing should consider getting a scale. Whereas the average kitchen scale rounds to the whole gram, pocket scales typically weigh in increments of 0.
To test each scale for accuracy and speed, we bought a set of lab weights and weighed each to see how accurately every scale measured the following: 1, grams 1 kg , grams, 50 grams, 20 grams, 10 grams, 5 grams, 2 grams, and 1 gram. For the pocket scales that read in 0. Then we did some milligram tests with the pocket scales for good measure ha!
To test speed, we timed how quickly the scale responded to adding or removing weights. Then we timed how long each scale remained on with a weight on the platform before the auto-off function kicked in. The affordable Escali Primo Digital Scale is the best scale for most home baking and cooking needs.
The Escali scale has a simple design with an easy-to-use, two-button membraned interface and four rubber feet to hold it in place. The weigh platform is conveniently elevated, so you can still read the digital screen when using large bowls.
When we used lab weights on the Escali scale in our test, it read accurately to the gram in all but one of our measurements—the 1, gram weight, which was 2 grams off. For context, only five of the 13 scales we tested in accurately measured the kilogram weight.
Additionally, the Escali scale was one of the most responsive models we tested: Whether we were adding or removing items, it always read weights in less than a second, making it one of the standout scales in terms of speed. Some of the other scales took two or three seconds to settle on a measurement, and a few even changed their readings over time. Most of the scales we tested shut off after about two minutes, so that extra bit of time will be helpful for recipes that require a lot of multitasking.
The Escali has a simple design and an intuitive interface with two buttons: one to turn the unit on or off and to tare, and another to switch the unit of measure between grams, ounces, and pounds plus ounces. The Escali is available in nine different colors, too.
It requires two AA batteries, which are included. With a fairly small footprint of 8. The four rubber feet on the bottom helped keep the scale from sliding around. And with fewer grooves than some of the other models we tested, the Escali scale was one of the easiest to wipe clean. One Wirecutter staff member has owned the Escali scale since , and told us it has a long battery life.
The Escali Primo comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It also comes with a shorter warranty. In our tests, it correctly measured lab weights to the gram on all of our tests of grams or less. Like our top pick, the Ozeri was just slightly off with the kilogram weight, reading one gram under the target 1, grams. However this reading was inconsistent: sometimes it read 1, grams and sometimes it read We timed the auto-off function at 2 minutes and 17 seconds, which is pretty average to slightly longer by a few seconds than the other scales we tested.
In its interface and overall look, the Ozeri scale is very similar to our top pick. Since a gram is a metric unit of measurement, your scale needs to use the metric system. Scales are available in digital and mechanical models. For example, a kitchen scale is used to measure kitchen ingredients. A body weight scale is much larger and can tolerate heavier items. Digital scales are easier to use and more accurate, but mechanical scales are less expensive. Weigh an empty container first before putting an item in it.
It is the only way to accurately measure loose objects like flour and sugar. If your scale does not have a tare function, note the weight of the container so you can subtract it from the final measurement. Press the tare button to zero out the scale.
The mysterious button labeled "tare" on digital scales is a reset button. Press the tare button after each item you measure on the scale. If you weighed a container, you can fill it now. For the most accurate measurements, always zero out the scale when there is nothing on it, then again after placing a container on it. Set the object you wish to measure on the scale. Place your object in the center of the scale. If you measured a container first, you can now put the object you wish to measure inside the container.
The scale will then calculate the heaviness of your object. For an accurate reading, make sure the entire object is on the scale. Finish weighing the object on the scale. When it finishes moving, read the number to find out how heavy the object is. Make sure that the weight is in grams.
Then, remove your object and hit the tare button again to reset the scale. If you did not zero out the scale first, subtract the weight of the container from the final measurement you see now. Method 2. Get a spoon or cup that measures in grams. Visit a store that sells kitchen supplies to find a variety of measuring tools. The most accurate of these tools, besides scales, are spoons designed to measure grams. They will likely have both milliliters and grams listed on the handles.
Some glass measuring cups have gram measurements printed on them and can also be used. Fill the spoon with the ingredient you want to measure. Our guide on how to understand units of measurement for weighing. This guide will cover traditional measurement units such as grams and kilograms to more complex, technical measurements such as ATRO or Troy Ounces.
Accept and Hide This Message. Home Support Units of Measurement. Units of Measurement Our guide on how to understand units of measurement for weighing. Commonly used in all industries for weighing in small increments. Commonly used in all industries for weighing in large increments.
Used as a standard measurement unit in industries requiring precise weighing results such as laboratories, universities and medical institutions. Used by laboratories, science testing facilities, universities and medical institutions. Pounds can be used in all industries and work as an alternative to the metric system and are commonly used in gyms and health centres for monitoring personal weight.
Afterward, place your container or mixing bowl on top of your digital kitchen scale. So with that, you will be able to see the measurement of the bowl that will register on display.
Then, press the zero or tare button to remove the weight of your mixing bowl or container. As a result, the display will be back to zero. After that, add the ingredient that you want to measure into the mixing bowl. If you follow a recipe , you can add the first ingredient. If the correct amount of weight displays, stop.
However, if you added too much, do not panic and scoop out a little until it becomes the correct amount. Then, press the tare button again to make it zero. Or to zero out the weight of the ingredient that you added.
After that, add the next ingredient to your recipe. Because of this, repeat the taring process if needed when adding the next ingredient in the recipe you follow.
Lastly, measure the next ingredient and continue doing this for the rest of your recipe. Remember, you can switch the scale back and forth between ounces and grams if needed. Table of Contents.
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