A kitchen scale is a simple method to keep food quantities correct and on track, whether you use it for measuring materials or recording meal amounts – or both. While some culinary professionals can estimate ingredient amounts reasonably correctly, the bulk of chefs get considerably better outcomes when utilizing a kitchen scale.
But, with so many kitchen scales on the market, how can you know which one is the best? This is where we step in. We work hard at BestReviews to produce honest, comprehensive product reviews and shopping tips to help people discover what they’re searching for.
WHY DO YOU NEED A KITCHEN SCALE?
For cooking
A kitchen scale is useful if you do a lot of baking or cooking and use recipes that specify ingredients by weight. It’s far easier to load a bowl of ingredients onto a scale than it is to fill measuring cups and spoons precisely. Furthermore, some say that weighing ingredients is much more exact than measuring ingredient volume.
For dieting
A kitchen scale is essential for everyone on a diet. Portion management may help you lose weight or maintain your current healthy weight. When eyeballing food, it’s all too easy to overestimate the amount of a piece, and those calories build up over time.
There is no mystery about your food consumption when you use a kitchen scale. You can keep track of how much food you consume on any given day.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF KITCHEN SCALES
In the home kitchen, there are two kinds of scales: mechanical kitchen scales and digital kitchen scales.
Mechanical kitchen scales
Mechanical kitchen scales assess weight by lowering a spring when a food item is weighed. Mechanical scales are classified into two types: platform scales (in which the food is weighed on a platform) and hanging scales (similar to those seen in supermarket produce sections).
- Pros: There are no batteries required, and the weight limit is quite large. A mechanical kitchen scale appeals to certain individuals because of its classic appearance and design.
- Cons: Small volumes are difficult to weigh precisely, and mechanical scales lose accuracy as the springs wear out.
Digital kitchen scales
Digital kitchen scales have surpassed their mechanical counterparts in popularity. Most contain an easy-to-read LCD display as well as a platform for weighing your food or ingredients.
- Pros: Digital scales are tiny and can precisely measure little amounts. You may even be able to switch between measuring modes. It’s also simple to tare, or balance to zero – just deduct the weight of your bowl from the total weight.
- Cons: Because most digital kitchen scales do not have large weight limitations, they must be powered by batteries or an electrical source.
FEATURES TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A KITCHEN SCALE
While a kitchen scale is a very simple tool, there are a few characteristics to look for in a good one.
Display
The LCD on your kitchen scale should be big and bright enough to read comfortably. It should be built in such a way that you can read it even when a huge bowl is put on the platform.
Size
A small scale takes very little counter space, but make sure the platform is big enough to handle your measurement bowl or plate.
Tare button
A tare button allows you to zero out readings as you go, allowing you to add components without having to make math in your mind.
Conversions
Most digital scales include the ability to flip between grams/ounces and pounds/kilograms. This is quite helpful for a busy chef or baker.
Capacity
Consider the sorts of foods you will be weighing. The correct scale for you should have the capacity to meet your requirements. If you often weigh big amounts of food, a scale with a greater weight capacity is recommended. (Some digital scales have a weight limit of 11 pounds.) If you often weigh little amounts of food, you’ll want a scale with a low enough resolution for pinpoint precision.
“Some scales lack the accuracy required for weighing tiny items. Other scales may be incapable of handling the capacity you want. Consider these things while purchasing a kitchen scale.”
Durability
Look for a kitchen scale constructed of heavy-duty plastic and/or stainless steel for long-lasting performance.
Easy to clean
Some scales include detachable platforms or measurement basins that make spill cleaning a snap. A kitchen scale should be simple to clean at the very least.
Low-battery indicator
Digital scales are often powered by batteries, and you don’t want to lose power in the midst of a hectic cooking session. You won’t be caught off guard if you have a low-battery indicator.
Flat or sealed buttons
Nobody likes to clean the flour off their scale’s buttons. Spills and dust are less likely to accumulate on a kitchen scale with flat buttons or a touchscreen.
Calibration
The most flexible kitchen scales can be tuned to one gram.
Auto-off
A kitchen scale that goes off after a few minutes of inactivity is quite useful and saves battery life.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT KITCHEN SCALE FOR YOUR NEEDS
Before you go shopping, ask yourself a few questions to help you choose the best kitchen scale.
Do you want a portable scale that you can use at work or on the go? If this is the case, search for a tiny model.
Will you leave your scale out on the counter? If so, you could discover that a stylish stainless steel model complements the décor of your kitchen.
Do you wish to weigh hefty goods like chunks of meat, complete dishes, or many pieces of fruit? If this is the case, you’ll need a scale with a large weight capacity. A mechanical scale could be the best solution for you.
Do you wish to spruce up your kitchen’s decor? There are mechanical scales with an appealing antique style.
Some kitchen scales are difficult to read if you lay anything heavy on the platform, such as a big bowl. If you’re worried about this, choose a scale with a detachable reader. The reader moves away from the scale, making it easier to read the measures.
HOW MUCH DO KITCHEN SCALES COST?
A mechanical kitchen scale is likely to cost between $10 and $20, while a digital scale may cost up to $35. There is seldom a need to spend extra, but don’t always go with the cheapest option. It may not be as accurate as a somewhat more expensive kitchen scale.
