4 Best Kitchen Scales For You To Master Measurements

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Kitchen scales very well may be the most misunderstood cooking tool in existence, at least in the modern culinary scene.

People often assume their only purpose is to measure out ingredients by their weight rather than by mass; sort of like a hipster’s alternative to measuring spoons and cups.

In reality, though, a good-quality kitchen scale is a multi-purpose tool that saves space, simplifies recipes, makes cooking quicker, and even helps maintain healthier diets.

In this post, I’ll tell you all the ways kitchen scales can help your lifestyle and how to find a good one. I’ll even recommend four of the best kitchen scales available, making sure to include one recommendation for every type of chef.

When Do You Need a Kitchen Scale?

First, let’s look at all the uses for a kitchen scale and how they can help guide you in finding a good one.

What is a Kitchen Scale?

A kitchen scale is a small scale that is kept on the kitchen counter during use. It’s a lot more exact than normal scales, which means it can weigh out as little as a gram or two with precision.

Of course, it can also handle heavier weights. Most kitchen scales can’t handle more than a few pounds without breaking, but there are heavy-duty models that can weigh dozens or even hundreds of pounds.

Most modern kitchen scales have a digital readout that displays the weight of the items on the scale. The weight on the readout can generally be converted between grams, ounces, milliliters, and pounds with the touch of a button. Most kitchen scales also include a button to “tare” the weight on the scale so that the scale will weigh how much is added to it after pressing the button.

If you want to get technical about the inner workings of a kitchen scale, here you go: when you place food on the scale’s surface, it pushes down on a spring inside the scale. The scale is able to detect how much the spring is being pushed down, and it can convert that measurement to a number. Via an electrical signal, the scale “feeds” that number to its electrical display.

Why You Should Use a Kitchen Scale

A kitchen scale has multiple purposes, such as

• Converting measurements: Since the scale can convert between measurement types so easily, people who are not familiar with the metric system or the imperial system can use the scale for quick conversions. I for one get very tired of yelling out for Alexa to convert every measurement called for whenever I’m cooking from a recipe that uses grams and milliliters.
• Replacing measuring spoons and cups: Here’s a kitchen scale protip for when you’re adding ingredients one by one to the same bowl: Start by putting the bowl on the scale and “zeroing out” the weight measurement. Then add your first ingredient to the bowl, using the readout to make sure you add the right amount. Then “tare” the measurement again before adding your next ingredient. Repeat the process until you’ve added all you need! It’s a great way to measure out each ingredient with precision without using a single measuring spoon or cup.
• Measuring precise amounts: Some kinds of food prep like baking and mixing cocktails require a high degree of precision when adding ingredients because they rely on chemical reactions to create a desired taste or texture. In fact, an extra 10 grams or an extra third of an ounce of a certain ingredient can be the difference between something that tastes like you got it at a five-star restaurant and something that tastes inexplicably off. Measuring spoons and cups just don’t offer that kind of precision. Measuring scales do, and they make measuring out those exact amounts very easy—especially with their “tare” function.
• Measuring out portions: Most diets require you to stick to a certain portion of each food. If you keep a kitchen scale handy, sticking a plate on it and using the “tare” function to measure each portion of food precisely is super easy.

What to Look For When Buying a Kitchen Scale

If you’re going to take your kitchen scale selection into your own hands, remember to consider each of these factors with the models you look at:

Material

The material of the weighing surface is very important. Since you’ll sometimes be putting food directly on it, you need it to be sleek and easy to clean. Scales with glass or stainless steel weighing platforms are the best in that regard. The materials used for the parts of the scale don’t matter much except for aesthetics.

Maximum capacity

Some scales can only weigh very small amounts before they start to become inaccurate. To make sure you will be able to weigh anything you need to, check that the kitchen scale you buy has a high weight capacity. This is also a must if you want to use your scale to “tare” certain weights before adding more weight on. A good kitchen scale should max out at at least 22 pounds.

Minimum capacity

Low-quality kitchen scales have trouble with extremely tiny measurements like just a gram or two. See to it that your pick can weigh extremely light loads, because it’s very important when you’re adding herbs and spices.

Power source

Although the vast majority of kitchen scales run on old-school batteries, I’ve seen ones that have to be plugged in. I hate being constrained by a cord, so I for one know power source is a top consideration for me when buying a kitchen scale. Extra points if the scale has a rechargeable battery.

Readability

Make sure to turn on the scale and make sure the numbers on the readout are in a bold font that you can read easily in both bright and dim light.

Size

You may only anticipate weighing small foods on the scale, but the day may come when you want to weigh additions to food in, say, a large baking tray. To increase versatility, get a kitchen scale with a spacious weighing surface.

Unit conversion

The ability to convert units is one of the best kitchen scale features. I make sure every kitchen scale I buy has the ability to at very least switch between ounces and grams.

Waterproofing

Most kitchen scales are sometimes used to weigh wet ingredients like berries or meats, and those ingredients sometimes release juices onto the scale. Make sure the one you buy is at least water resistant.

4 Best Kitchen Scales

And without further ado, my four favorite kitchen scales, arranged into a convenient table. Check out the sections below the table for more info on each model.

Name	Best At…	Price ($-$$$$$)
Zwilling Enfinigy Digital Kitchen Scale	Overall	$$$
[amazon link=”B096L13HGD” link_icon=”none” title=”HOLEEKIC Digital Kitchen Scale” /]	Budget	$
[amazon link=”B06XNN1W8C” link_icon=”none” title=”Escali Compact Kitchen Scale” /]	Small Spaces	$$
Extra-High Capacity Scale	Large	$$$$

1. Overall: Zwilling Enfinigy Digital Kitchen Scale

by Sur La Table

This is my all-time favorite kitchen scale because it has all the important features you need in one of these scales but then goes above and beyond with great aesthetics and cutting-edge functionality.

A few of its features set it apart from the competition, but my very favorite one is that it has a built-in rechargeable battery that plugs in via USB. Like I said, I hate electrical cords. But I also hate having to keep old-school batteries on hand, especially because pretty much nothing in my house uses them anymore. So a rechargeable battery is not only a money-saver but also a major convenience, and something you won’t find on many kitchen scales.

I love the design of this model, too. The digital readout, including the touch-sensitive buttons for “tare” and switching the measurement type, are built into the backlight of the weighing platform. Because of that, they’re invisible when the scale is off. They’re still bright and highly visible when the scale’s on, though.

The on/off button is a small touch sensor on the front edge of the scale. The whole thing looks very minimalist and futuristic, and the clean white-and-silver color adds to the vibe.

The weighing surface is water-resistant and made of glass, so it’s easy to clean.

2. Budget: HOLEEKIC Digital Kitchen Scale

by [amazon link=”B096L13HGD” link_icon=”none” title=”HOLEEKIC” /]

[amazon fields=”B096L13HGD” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”HOLEEKIC Digital Kitchen Scale”]

I’m not sure how HOLEEKIC is even able to produce a digital precision instrument for this unbeatable price, which is probably less than you’d spend on an entree at a restaurant.

It’s especially unbelievable given the fact that it has most of the features you’d get in a luxury kitchen scale: it’s waterproof, it holds up to 22 pounds, it has a precision within one gram, it has auto-shutoff after 2 minutes of idling, it converts between pounds, ounces, grams, and milliliters, and it has an easy-to-clean tempered glass panel.

I have just two complaints about this kitchen scale. The first is that it’s a bit small for all the ingredients I want to weigh. The second is that the wires must get crossed occasionally, because the scale has (very rarely) switched off or switched to a different measurement unit randomly while I’m using it. But for chefs on a budget, it’s an incredible find.

3. Small Spaces: Escali Compact Kitchen Scale

by [amazon link=”B06XNN1W8C” link_icon=”none” title=”Escali” /]

[amazon fields=”B06XNN1W8C” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Escali Compact Kitchen Scale”]

This scale has an original folding design that works surprisingly well while keeping the scale very compact while not in use. The scale’s structure comprises long thin weighing platforms, both with a flat top, that meet at a round center console with a swivel for each platform. When they are spread apart, the platforms form a flat “V”-shaped surface that you can rest a plate or bowl on.

You can then turn on the scale using buttons on the center console, press the “tare” button, and use the device as a normal kitchen scale. When you’re done using the scale, fold the two platforms together via the swivel for easy storage.

The design may sound like science fiction, but the scale works great. It has all the standard features of a good kitchen scale, and it’s absolutely perfect for people without much kitchen storage space.

4. Large: Extra-High Capacity Scale

by King Arthur Baking

This model is ideal for those who need to weigh bigger, heavier loads of food on their kitchen scale – for example, people who regularly prepare meals for large parties. It’s the same size as a normal kitchen scale; 10.4”x7.9”, to be exact. But it can bear up to 33 pounds, 150% as much as even most high-end kitchen scales.

It’s made of heavy-duty glass and plastic, and it has an especially long five minute auto-shutoff so it will stay on even if you are interrupted for a few minutes. Despite all that, it still has a delicate appearance and is just as precise as any other top-of-the-line kitchen scale.

Kitchen Scale FAQ

Finally, let’s answer a couple of common questions that will help you get the most out of your kitchen scale.

The Final Weigh-In

I didn’t have a kitchen scale until about eight months ago, but since then I’ve been getting a ton of use out of it. It just has so many functions, and I am regularly surprised when I find out new ways it can save time and energy in the kitchen. I hope this post has helped convince you to join me!