Kitchen scales

[OllieC]

Any recommendations? Mine (digital) go in steps of 4g which is a bit annoying for some of the recipes I'm doing these days! 5g of salt is anything between 4 and 8...

[OllieC]

[asbean]

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8421100/Trail/searchtext%3EKITCHEN+SCALES.htm

I've bought two of these over the last 10 years, they are in daily use.  And cheap too  :) :) :)

[cocopops]

Normally 5g is classed as one teaspoon, you would need one of those measuring spoons to be sure as most of my tsp's vary in size by up to 100%.  After much over spicing in my recipes I now use my plastic measurer to gauge the correct amount.  Alternatively go for 4g and guess a quarter on top.

Made me think when you see the amount of salt in some snacks quite how much 5g of salt is.

[lewic]

I have managed with really crappy scales for years. When it comes to salt and seasoning I just guess, or keep adding until it tastes good. My mother weighs out flour and sugar like it was cocaine... and I dont think her cakes are any better than mine (sorry Mum!)

[Cherryblossom]

My kitchen scales are so old they are pounds & ounces and they are very accurate only ever put small pinch of salt whatever the recipe says salt is bad for you.

[valmarg]

Well Ollie, the best, and most accurate (according to Delia as well as me) are the old fashioned balance scales.  I treated myslef to a Weylux, with a set of  imperial and metric weights.  They are not the cheapest, but they are accurate, indestructable, reliable and with the metric and Imperial will be able to be used ad infinitum.

I do also have an electronic scale, which is graded in 1gram/1ounce steps, which I find very usefull.  I bought it from Home Bargains several years ago for £6.99.

I do find the Weylux the most accurate scale, but when I'm measuring out small lumps of dough for baps, etc, the electronic scale is the more accurate, while the battery lasts. ;D

Whilst I accept that some recipes do need to be absolutely precise in their measurements, in some cases grannie did a few tablespoons of this a handful of that, a dollop of this, etc. and ended up with a most delicious result

I think we can get a bit paranoid with the 'weighing process'. ;D

valmarg

PS Ollie, my PM boxes are getting extremely full, and I'm havind difficulty deleting. I shall be replying soon, honest. ;D

valmarg

[Paulines7]

I have a Salter 3001 and have had it for a few years now.  
http://www.amazon.com/Salter-3001-5-Pound-Digital-Kitchen/dp/B0000YWUWW

It doesn't come with a bowl so I find it useful for weighing letters or packages for the post.  There are three buttons; OFF  KG or LB  and ON/ZERO.  You will notice in the write up on Amazon that one of the reviewers said her scales kept turning on and off.  I believe they must have been faulty because I have never known mine do this.  There are no problems weighing out 1g.  The only criticism I have is that it only weighs up to 2kg or 5 lbs.

You may not be able to find the above model now though, but Argos do a similar one in white which weighs up to 3kg or 7lbs.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8422996/Trail/searchtext%3ESALTER.htm#tabrev

Salter have a 15 year guarantee on this one.  http://www.salterhousewares.com/salter_uk/catalogue/kitchen-scales/arc-electronic-kitchen-scale.html

[Jeannine]

What about the little diet scales for small amounts.

I actually find it easiest to cook by volume,(cups and spoons) it took a bit of switching but better and quicker in the long run.

XX Jeannine