Finding the Right Digital Scale
When shopping for a digital scale, there are a few key features to keep in mind to ensure you get one that’s both functional and easy to use:
• Weighing Platform Size: The platform should be large enough to fit a good-sized bowl or container. Make sure it’s spacious enough for your typical mixing bowls so you don’t have to balance them precariously.
• Minimum/Maximum Weight: Look for a scale that can measure small amounts (like a few grams of yeast) but also handle heavier ingredients, such as a bowl of dough.
• Measurement Increments: For the best precision, find a scale that measures in small increments, like 1 gram or 0.1 ounce. This is especially important for delicate recipes, like macarons or pastries.
• Power Source: Is it battery-operated or does it need a plug? Battery-operated scales are generally more convenient for home use, and the batteries typically last a long time. The scales we use here at The Lakehouse Bakery are battery-operated, and with daily use, the batteries last for months. Just make sure the batteries are common sizes, like AA or AAA, to avoid frustration when they need replacing. Larger, hard-to-find batteries can make the scale cumbersome.
• Beeping and Light Features: Does it beep when it turns on or reaches a weight? Is the display backlit for easy reading? These features can enhance your experience, especially when you’re working in a busy kitchen or need extra visibility.
• Display Visibility: Can you see the display if there’s a large bowl or plate on the platform? Some scales have displays that are difficult to read when the platform is covered, so check the placement of the display before purchasing.
• Tare Feature: A must-have! This feature allows you to reset the scale to zero after placing your bowl or container on it, so you only measure the weight of the ingredients. It’s essential for accuracy and convenience.
• Imperial and Metric Units: Does the scale measure in both grams and ounces? Having both Imperial and Metric options makes it easier to follow any recipe, no matter where it’s from.
• Calibration: Some scales allow you to calibrate them, ensuring long-term accuracy.
Fortunately, most of this information is usually listed on the box or in the product description, so it’s easy to compare models. When choosing a scale, find one that will easily fit in your kitchen—whether on the counter, in a drawer, or tucked into a cubby. It should be accessible so that using it isn’t a chore.
Using Your Digital Scale
Now that you’ve picked out the perfect scale, here’s how to use it:
1. Start with the Tare Function: After you've turned on the scale and placed your empty mixing bowl on the platform, hit the “tare” button to reset the weight to zero. This allows you to weigh only the ingredients and not the container.
2. Weighing Ingredients: For dry ingredients like flour or sugar, spoon them into the bowl until you hit the correct weight. Weighing ingredients is much more precise than using measuring cups, especially for dry ingredients like flour, which can vary greatly depending on the type of flour and how they’re scooped.
3. Measure Ingredient by Ingredient: After weighing one dry ingredient, hit “tare” again before adding the next. This allows you to continue using the same bowl without needing to dirty another dish. You can do the same with liquid ingredients.
4. Precision is Key: Even a small difference in weight can impact your baked goods. Too much flour can make a cake or cookies dry, while too little can make them dense or cause them to fall flat. A digital scale eliminates that guesswork.
5. Use for More Than Baking: A digital scale isn’t just for measuring flour or sugar. It’s also useful for portioning proteins, vegetables, and other ingredients in your everyday cooking, making meal prep easier and more consistent.
Whether you’re baking delicate pastries or cooking up a family dinner, a digital scale is a fantastic tool that adds precision to your kitchen. If you don’t have one yet, now’s the time to consider it! Once you get into the habit of using a scale, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked or baked without it!