Decent Kitchen Scale recommendations....

TEXASBGE2018 · May 2018

Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent kitchen scale? What do I need to look for in one? Should I go Digital or go all Spartan and get an old school analog one?

JohnInCarolina · May 2018

Digital all the way.

WeberWho · May 2018

I had a similar question last year:

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1207684/any-digital-food-scale-recommendations/p1

JustOneOfTheGuys · May 2018

I agree with johinincarolina, digital all the way
I use this one. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004164SRA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1526243312&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=kitchen+scale&dpPl=1&dpID=51GsiHLfDrL&ref=plSrch
it’s inexpensive, has the functions that I need, not complicated to use, and doesn’t take up a lot of counter space. Can you get fancier, yes. Can you fine ones that have a larger capacoty, yes. I’m not weighing sides of beef or sacks of flour so this one suits me just fine.

lkapigian · May 2018

I have this, get something that will do at least 10 pounds IMO

gdenby · May 2018

Old school analog can be either fine triple beam scales, or just spring compression. The compression ones that are often found aren't very accurate, and get worse w. use. If you are measuring to around an once, they're OK

Beam balances can be very good for many years, and are much more accurate. .1 gm or better. I bought a cheap one, and the rubber connectors that held it together failed within a few months. If you go that route, I'd suggest a scientific supply house vendor.

I've had several digital scales. 1st problem is that if the batteries are fading, the readings can be inaccurate. Such fun when one really needs it, and doesn't have any spare batteries. Also, they tend to be rather fragile, and I think I ruined one by leaving a piece of cardboard over the bowl to keep it clean. I suppose I over stressed the pressure sensing mech.

But for really fine weighing, just fractions of a gram, a dedicated tiny one is worth the hassle.

blind99 · May 2018

I read some a review article on serious eats recently that seemed pretty good. I’ve got a 10 year old Salter that’s been a real workhorse.

Digital for sure.

caliking · May 2018

I’ve been using this one. Compact, fits in a drawer nicely.

Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale, 11 lb 5 kg, Silver, Stainless Steel (Batteries Included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Qam-Ab7QC602T

GregW · May 2018

lkapigian said:

I have this, get something that will do at least 10 pounds IMO

I have this one also. I have had it for many years and it works well and give repeatable measurements.

Botch · May 2018

Digital, make sure it has a tare function and (if you're into making pizzas/baking) a baker's percentage function.
The one I own was a big favorite on www.pizzamaking.com, I've been using it for years and really like it. Unfortunately, it has Model #KD-8000 on it, but no brand name anywhere, even on the bottom.

EDIT: Here it is, did a quick search on Amazoid:
https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Scale-Bakers-KD8000-Weight/dp/B00VEKX35Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1526253402&sr=1-2&keywords=scale+KD-8000
The brand name is "My Weigh" (and now Sinatra will be nagging in my skull for the rest of the evening, dangit). You can spend a bit more and get it with a 9v adapter, but mine has run on one set of batteries for at least 6 years now. This scale is rather tall/bulky, and I remember Cook's Illustrated's favorite was a lot slimmer (can't remember what it was either).

TEXASBGE2018 · May 2018

caliking said:

I’ve been using this one. Compact, fits in a drawer nicely.

Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale, 11 lb 5 kg, Silver, Stainless Steel (Batteries Included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Qam-Ab7QC602T

Went ahead and bought this one. I figure 12 bucks what’s the hurt in trying it. If I don’t like it I can always try another. They all seem to be pretty cheap.

westernbbq · May 2018

I have both types, the Ozeri digital, with tare function. Got it solely for making pizza. It was less than 20 bucks as i recall and ive had it at least four years. It has traveled with us to san diego, flagstaff, puerto penasco and napa valley. Never failed

For larger quans i have an old school metal spring scale with 25 lb capacity. I use this for meat to estimate cooking time, and for sausage weights of ground meat to determine via the digital for spice weights and % of meat ratio. The spring scale isnt precise but has an adjustment wheel to zero it out when the metal bowl that sits up top is removed or the thing gets knocked around . This analog deal has been super useful when needing a large quantity of meat measurements or when i do a large batch of 2x baked taters to figure out how much butter, sour cream, salt and yogurt to use for optimal flavoring. Not perfect but for those larger quan applications Its close enough
Digital will be your best friend when it comes to pizza dough and using baker ratios