Food Scale Recommendations

Sandbagger

I am thinking about getting a food scale. Any good suggestions on options or manufacturers: electronic vs. mechanical; weight limits vs. increments. It's probably something I'll use once a month or so weighing out meat or ingredients...Thanks Tom

Unknown

Sandbagger,
I have one that I bought at fred meyer a long while back. It was only like 15 or 20 bucks I think and works just fine. Electronic

BlueSmoke

Sandbagger,
No recommendation; just a couple of thinking points. What's the largest quantity you think you'll measure? How accurate do you need it to be?[p]I pose these questions because I paid $25 for a 45-pound capacity spring-loaded scale, accurate to 2 ounces; and $35 for a 6-pound digital scale, accurate to 2 grams.[p]Ken

AZRP

Sandbagger,
Get a digital one and be sure it has the tare feature. It allows you to re zero the scale after each ingredient is added. I paid about $35 at Bed Bath Beyond and then saw one in Ross a week later for $4. Now I have two. -RP

The Naked Whiz

Sandbagger,
I have an 11-pound capacity scale that is made by Salton, I think. It measures in 5g or .25oz increments. In addition to the kitchen, it is our postal scale and it also does duty weighing charcoal for the Naked Whiz Empire! Another consideration is make sure that if you put a large bowl or pan on it, that you can still see the readout. As fast as you might try, you can't lift the bowl off and read the scale before it goes back to 0! :-)
TNW

Eggecutioner

<p />Sandbagger,[p]As you can see Mine is accurate to $200 per pound...LOL [p]:o)[p]I think this cost like $10.00. The bowl on mine tends to get tippy, I think a bigger base and scale/bowl interface would be better. I also think that the re-zero feature would be really great. So I would push you toward an electronic version.[p]E

JSlot

I highly recommend the My Weigh KD-600. Built solidly and a real bargain price. Follow the link below to one of the best scale websites I've seen. I purchased my scale from ol' Will and the service was most excellent!![p]Jim
[ul][li]KD-600 @ Old Will Knott's[/ul]

Sandbagger

BlueSmoke, grams and ounces reminds of the scale I had in college, one of those old pivot arm jobbies. Hold on now, would you believe science class stuff. [p]Probably the biggest items I'll use it for is dividing meat..cutting steaks. Tom

Sandbagger

AZRP, thanks for the tare input, wondered what that was. Tom

Sandbagger

The Naked Whiz, I did not think about using it as a postal scale. Check out Jslot's link, that scale has a hold feature. Thanks tom

Sandbagger

Eggecutioner, Where is the rest of that dog, back-end missing.....inquiring minds. Tom

Sandbagger

JSlot, That looks like a collective winner, given the input below. Question though, how much are you hindered by the 7x7 platform, seems a little small. Tom

jwitheld

Eggecutioner,
stuff with onion and garlic, slow cook indirect for about 2 hrs at 175.

JSlot

I haven't been hindered at all by the platform, Tom. In fact, I find it more than adequate for any of my large bowls and containers. The scale also has an extension that you can pull out on the base for stability if you need it. I use the scale an average of 4-5 times a week and I'm sold on it. I researched scales for about 2 months before pulling the trigger on this one. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you choose this model.[p]Jim

Sandbagger

Jim, thanks for the heads up on the scale. I'll order one this weekend. I may spend a few minutes searching the web, just so I can tell the wife, all bases covered, when I plop it down on the kitchen counter. thanks again, Tom

Moldy Coyote

Sandbagger,[p]If the 7"x7" pan is a consideration, you can always put on a larger "pan". Just center a larger piece of solid material on the original pan and "zero" or "tare" out the complete weighing platform, including container. The "hold" button is a great feature if you can't see the display. Go digital, I speak as a metrologist with over 30 years experience.[p]HTH,[p]David

Sandbagger

Moldy Coyote, I also found this one, see link. I thought about adding a larger shelf, but isn't that at the expense of how much I can weigh. Any comparison thoughts between JSlot's suggestion and the Ultraship 55? They are about the same money. Tom

[ul][li]My Weigh UltraShip 55[/ul]

Eggecutioner

Sandbagger,
Had to get rid of half her legs so I could catch her....LOL[p]Just kiddin.[p]E

Nature Boy

Looks good Jim
Just tried to order one, and turns out 1 was too many. The appear to be out of stock with the message "Unable To Add Product: My Weigh KD-600 - Black - Digital Kitchen // Diet // Home Scale To Your Cart (Msg: Not Enough In Stock. Try A Lower Qty!)[p]Nice!!
Looks like a good scale.
Chris

Sandbagger

Nature Boy, did you try the white one, instead of black. Tom

Rumrunner

JSlot, looks great for a home scale. Nice features.

Moldy Coyote

Sandbagger,[p]I'm sorry for the delayed reply. You are correct in the loss of total capacity that is determined by your tare weight. As to which scale is best, it depends on what you are looking for. Higher capacity will generally have a more coarse resolution. [p]UltraShip 55 - 0-2# = 2 gram or 0.1 oz. resolution
2-55# = 10 gram or 0.5 oz. resolution[p]KD-600 - 0-13.3# 1 gram or 0.1 oz. full scale[p]You will get more precision (not necessarily more accuracy) from the KD-600. Of course you sacrifice total capacity. Higher capacity scales can GENERALLY take more abuse. I guess it depends if you are micro- weighing ingredients like the good folks at Dizzy Pig, or portioning pork butts for sandwiches.[p]Good luck on your choice,[p]David[p]