5 Food Scales for 5 Different Purposes in Your Kitchen
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(Image credit: Williams-Sonoma)
A kitchen scale is one of those gadgets you probably don’t think about until you have an immediate need for one. But once you’ve picked one up, you’re likely to use it frequently. That is, if you pick the right one. There are many different kinds of scales out there, so it’s important to get the one that will fit most of your uses.
We picked five types of scales you should consider, depending on what you will use it for the most.
- A Scale that Can Precisely Measure Tiny Amounts (of Coffee) – Acaia Pearl Coffee Scale, $130 from Williams-Sonoma: This scale isn’t for everyone, but the coffee enthusiast might find all the bells and whistles useful. Not only does this scale precisely measure your grounds, but it also includes blooming and brewing timers so you can perfect your pour-over. It even syncs with an app on your smartphone to help you hone your brewing skills.
- A Scale that Can Handle a Lot of Weight – 110 pound Hanging Spring Kitchen Dial Scale, $22 from Amazon: For people who hunt and fish, this scale should look somewhat familiar. If you need to weigh larger items or cuts of meat, this can be a good choice. Plus, you can also use it as a luggage scale!
- The Multipurpose Scale for Daily Cooking – Jennings CJ4000 Digital Scale, $27 from Amazon: If you’re looking for a basic, multipurpose scale, this is your best pick. Our friends at The Sweethome picked it as the best kitchen scale for most people. If you weigh your ingredients for baked goods or just need to occasionally measure a specific amount, this is the scale for you.
- A Scale for Measuring Healthy Portions – Healthy Portions Analog Scale, $13 from OXO: When you’re just concerned about portions, an inexpensive analog scale can fit the bill. This one from OXO is small enough to pack in a lunch bag or keep in your desk drawer. Plus the lid acts as a bowl so you don’t have to worry about having one handy.
- A Scale That Looks Good – Vintage Kitchen Scale, $40 from Williams-Sonoma: This scale is the statement piece for your kitchen. Yes, you can easily weigh dry ingredients for baked goods, cuts of meat, or produce, but it’s also the one that you’ll want to keep on your kitchen counter as part of your decor as well.
Do you have a favorite scale that we didn’t mention here? What do you use it for?