Are you looking for some ways to make cooking more efficient and track meal portions? If the answer is yes, then a kitchen scale can help you achieve the goal. Kitchen scales can weigh ingredients precisely so that you will be more mindful of your food intake, can easily track meal portions, and determine the amount of calories and other nutrients that you are consuming.
Although some chefs are skilled enough to accurately estimate ingredient quantities, most cooks can achieve better results with a kitchen scale. There are many kitchen scales available on the market. So how can you choose which one is the best? We strive to help you find the right kitchen scale.
Best Kitchen Scales
1. Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen Scale
20 used from $8.79
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Durable stainless steel structure
- Built-in high-precision load sensors
- Easily convert units between oz/lb’oz/fl’oz/g/ml
- Can zero out the container weight
- With backlit LCD display
- Auto-off the screen and scale after a period of time
- Weight limit: 176oz5kg/11 pounds
- Minimum measurement: 3g-5g
- Battery: AAA (2) (included)
- Precision: 0.04 oz / 1 g
- Dimensions: 7.32 x 5.70 x 0.67 inches
- Not waterproof
- Need to calibrate after heavy use for a period of time
2. Weigh Gram Digital Pocket Scale
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Best accurate measurement for travelling
- Compact and portable
- Stainless steel platform with a protective flip cover
- Easy to read blue backlight LCD display
- Weight unit: g / oz / ozt / dwt
- Precision: 0,01g
- Weight limit: 100g
- Battery: AAA (2)
- Require a 100g calibrator to calibrate the scale, otherwise, it loses accuracy.
3. Nicewell Food Digital Scale
2 used from $17.51
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Amazon.com
- Durable tempered glass platform
- Somewhat water-resistant
- Accurate and easy to tare
- The sleek surface is easy to clean
- Measuring Units: g, kg, lb, oz, ml, fl. oz
- Dimension: 9 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
- Precision: 0.1oz/1g
- Weight limit: 10kg/22 pounds
- Battery: AAA (2) required
- Not totally water-resistant, you can wipe the glass platform with a damp cloth, but don’t wash or immerse it in water.
4. Escali Primo P115C Precision Kitchen Food Scale
5 used from $21.96
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Amazon.com
- Multiple color options
- Compact and light plastic makes cleanup easy
- Consistent and accurate to the gram measurement
- Easy to zero
- Auto-off the scale after 4 minutes to save battery
- Sealed display and controls against spills
- Measuring units: oz, lb: oz, g
- Dimension: 8.5 x 6 x 1.5 in
- Precision: 0.05oz/1g
- Weight limit: 5kg/11 pounds
- Battery: AAA (2)
- Not a backlit display, and is difficult to read for some people when overshadowed by a large bowl.
- It has plastic housing.
5. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale
4 used from $51.51
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Amazon.com
- Made from fingerprint resistant stainless steel
- Removable platform for cleaning
- Pull-out display for easy reading when shadowed by large plates
- Zero function for weighing different stuff
- Measuring units: oz, lb, g, kg
- Dimension: 9.5 x 7.13 x 1.25 inches
- Precision: 0.05oz/1g
- Weight limit: 5kg/11 pounds
- Battery: AAA (4)
- Lack accuracy with 1-3 grams
6. Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
8 used from $8.61
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Compact and can be easily stored in a drawer
- Easy to read LCD display
- Two decimal points
- Battery last long
- Convenient tare and unit button
- Measuring units: g, lbs, lbs:oz, oz, ml
- Dimension: 8.25 x 1.75 x 6 inches
- Precision: 0.05oz/1g
- Weight limit: 5.1kg/11.24 pounds
- Battery: AAA (2)
- Not suitable for large plates on the platform, otherwise, you can’t read the measurement.
7. Etekcity Food Scale with Bowl
4 used from $12.65
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Made with sleek and durable stainless steel
- Comes with a 2.06QT removable bowl
- Blue backlit display
- Low-battery and overload indication
- Auto-off after 2 minutes of inactivity
- Room temperature sensor and built-in timer
- Measuring units: g, oz,
- Dimension: 8.25 x 1.75 x 6 inches
- Weight limit: 5kg/11 pounds
- Battery: AAA (2)
- Lack accuracy for light stuff below 10 grams
- Auto-off time is too short
What to consider when buying a kitchen scale?
Kitchen scale types
There are two popular types of kitchen scales in the home: mechanical/spring, and digital.
Mechanical scales
Mechanical scales are also called the spring scale because of their working principle. When an object is placed on top, mechanical kitchen scales measure its weight using springs. The spring is compressed in the correct proportions to give an accurate estimation of when the force is applied.
There are two main types of mechanical kitchen scales:
Hanging mechanical scales: A hanging scale is also known as a crane scale. The food to be weighed can be hung on the hook of the hanging scale instead of placing them on the platform or weighing pan.
Platform mechanical scales: A platform scale measures the weight of items placed on the platform or weighing pan. The platform’s function is to transmit the object’s weight to an internal measuring device and to support it during weighing.
Pros:
No batteries and other power sources are required
Mechanical scales have very high weight limits.
They are lighter and require less maintenance.
Mechanical kitchen scales can add a retro touch to the room.
Cons:
Small amounts can be difficult to weigh accurately. It will be difficult to measure an ounce instead of a pound.
The accuracy of a mechanical scale decreases as the springs wear. You might need to adjust the pointer before each use.
Those accurate mechanical scales can be quite expensive, but they can remain precise for a long time.
Digital kitchen scales
In modern kitchens, these digital kitchen scales are far more popular than mechanical ones. Because baking requires precise measurements of ingredients. Many have an LCD display that is easy to read and a platform to weigh your ingredients or food.
Pros:
Digital scales can accurately measure small quantities.
It’s easy to read the measured value.
They are compact, easy to clean, and can store in a kitchen cabinet.
You can switch between different measuring modes. It’s easy to tare or balance to zero. Simply subtract the bowl weight from the overall weight.
Some models will automatically shut off after a period of time without being used.
Cons:
Digital kitchen scales require batteries or an electric source.
They are not designed to weigh more than a certain weight.
If you want to keep it accurate and last longer, the digital scale needs more maintenance.
Capacity & precision
Consider the amount of foods that you will be weighing. You need the right scale to meet your needs.
A scale that has a high weight limit will be better if you are regularly weighing large amounts of food. It might not be precise enough to weigh small quantities.
If you often weigh small amounts of food, it is best to choose a scale with a low weight limit. It allows for precise accuracy but might not be capable of handling large amounts over its weight limits.
These factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a kitchen scale.
Size
Although a compact scale takes up little counter space, make sure that the platform is big enough to accommodate your plate or measuring cup.
Material
Kitchen scales made of stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic are always the ideal options. These materials can ensure durability in use. In addition, the smooth surface is not easy to accumulate dust, rust, and stains, and you can easily clean it with a cloth.
Display and button
The display for the kitchen scale should be large enough so that it is easy to read. When a large bowl is placed on top of the display, it should still be legible.
Nobody wants flour to stick to the buttons. A kitchen scale that has a touchscreen or flat buttons will be less likely to collect dust or spills. If there is dust, the flat surface is easy to clean.
Tare button
The tare button allows you to zero out readings at the same time, so you can add ingredients while you work.
Conversions
Digital scales can convert between grams/ounces or pounds/kilograms. This can be very helpful for busy bakers and cooks.
Low-battery indicator
Digital scales are powered by batteries. With a low-battery indicator, you can charge the scale whenever the sign lights on. So as not to cause inconvenience during busy cooking.
Auto-off
It is extremely convenient to have a kitchen scale that automatically shuts off after a few minutes without being used.
Auto-calibration
Kitchen scales that can self-calibrate can ensure accuracy to one gram.
How Can You Make The Most Of A Kitchen Scale?
For cooking
A kitchen scale is a great tool if you are a frequent cook or baker and prefer to list ingredients according to weight. A kitchen scale makes it much easier to put a bowl of ingredients on a scale than to fill cups and spoons with measurements.
For dieting
Anyone following a diet should have a kitchen scale. Portion control is a great way to lose weight or keep the healthy weight you have. It is easy to underestimate the portion size when you are eyeballing food. The calories can add up quickly.
A kitchen scale will show you how much food you eat. It is possible to keep track of how much food you consume each day.
For homemade products
Kitchen scales can be used for more than just food prep. A kitchen scale can be used to make soap and lotion. A kitchen scale is used by some people to weigh their mail.
Do I need to calibrate my kitchen scale often?
Yes. You should calibrate your digital scale regularly. The frequency you use your digital scale will determine how often you calibrate it. A good rule of thumb is that you calibrate your digital scale before you use it to make recipes. The recommended calibration frequency can vary from one model to the next, so check the owner’s guide for more details.
Make sure to calibrate the scale on a level, flat surface. This will give you a more precise reading. To ensure that the scale is properly calibrated, you can place calibration weights or another item with a known weight on it.
Accessories
