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Kitchen scale

Utensils & kitchen tools · Measuring tool

Kitchen scale

A digital or mechanical scale for weighing ingredients precisely, essential for consistent baking.

Essential in most kitchens · Electric · 58 recipes

Photo: Batholith ( talk ), via Wikimedia Commons (public-domain)

What it is

Usually a flat digital platform reading in grams and ounces, with a 'tare' button that resets to zero with a bowl on top. Precision scales read to 0.1 g for yeast and spices. Mechanical dial scales need no batteries but are less precise.

What it’s for: Measuring ingredients by weight, which is more accurate than volume.

How to use it

  1. Place the scale on a flat surface and switch on.
  2. Put the bowl on and press tare to zero it.
  3. Add the first ingredient until the right weight shows.
  4. Press tare again before adding the next ingredient.

Good to know

Tasks
weighing flour and sugar for baking, portioning dough, weighing meat, measuring liquids by weight, dividing batches evenly
Cooking methods
Oven-baked
Materials
plastic, glass, stainless steel
Care and cleaning
Wipe the platform with a damp cloth; never immerse it. Replace batteries when the reading flickers.
Limitations
Has a maximum capacity; very small amounts need a precision scale.

If you don’t have one

Equipment guide

How it works: A load cell (a strain gauge on a metal beam) bends very slightly under weight; the change in electrical resistance is converted into a reading. The tare button resets to zero so you can weigh ingredients straight into the bowl.

MaterialGoodWatch out
Stainless steelDurable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells.Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot.
Borosilicate or tempered glassNon-reactive, lets you see the browning on the sides and base; holds heat well once hot.Slow to heat; can shatter with sudden temperature changes (e.g. cold liquid into a hot dish, or from fridge to hot oven).
Food-grade plastic (polypropylene, nylon)Light, cheap, gentle on non-stick surfaces.Melts or warps on contact with hot pans; scratches harbour residue; can stain and hold smells.
Flat digital scale
Most home use, to about 5 kg.
Precision scale (0.1 g)
Yeast, salt, spices, hydrocolloids.
Mechanical dial scale
No batteries; less precise.

Buying guidance

Starting out: A digital scale reading to 1 g with a capacity of at least 5 kg and a tare button.

Keen cook: Add a precision scale (0.01–0.1 g) for small amounts.

  • Resolution: 1 g (0.1 g for precision scales)
  • Capacity: 5 kg or more
  • Tare function
  • Grams and ml modes
  • Large platform

No brands or prices — check current reviews before buying.

Techniques:BakingKneadingRoux thickeningFermentationCuringGelificationSpherificationFoams and airsMise en place

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Recipes that use it

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