Typhoon kitchen scales
Hi all -- I've been a lurker over the past couple of years since I started breadmaking -- this site has been very helpful in my struggles and successes. :)
Does anyone have any experience with Typhoon kitchen scales? I ran across them at a Marshalls during a trip to the US (I'm in Canada) and when I saw how much they were going for online I figured the $20 would be a decent gamble. Since I don't really have anything else to compare it two and I don't know how best to gauge its accuracy. Any tips? I'm trying to throw random objects with known/specified weights to compare the reading, but if anyone knows a better way I'd be happy to try it.
There were also a couple of the mechanical retro-style scales, but I opted for the Typhoon Vision because a) it was digital, and b) it maxed out at 5KG/11lbs, 1KG more than the mechanicals. (http://www.typhoonhousewares.com/index.php/our-ranges/scales/vision.html)
So far so good - I tried it yesterday for the first time, also my first time weighing flour rather than measuring. When I ended up with about 2-3 lbs more than the recipe requested (50 ounces), I finally realized that I needed to learn how to read the damn thing correctly, e.g. "1.10" isnt 1-point-1 lbs, it's 1lb 10oz. ("1:10.0")Well, at least I caught myself before adding the excess flour. ;)
I'd suggest switching the scale to metric weights. You'll be less likely to mis-interpret the results.
gary
I was thinking about that. I'm much more familiar with metric units. Thanks. Since it was the first time using weights I was trying to follow it exactly without converting or rounding. Seeing how well THAT worked out, I'm going back to grams. Cheers.
You can buy calibration weights to check your scale -- but you will pay more than the cost of your scale. You might find someone who has some (know anyone who works in a lab, some food store chains, state inspector). I have a set for my small scale - 250 grams max but not for my 11 kg scale. I use the small scale for yeast, salt mostly.
Conversion to and from "English" to metric can cause real issues in the real world- in my old day job before retirement we purchased some very good rolling mill equipment from Germany and the rolls were spec'd in metric. We had a US supply that convered drawings to inch and then purchased rolls in Japan where the drawings were convered back to metric. Two sets of rounding errors and things didn't fit. You are lucky being in Canada - just stay in metric even if you still have the Queen.
I have worked all round the world and I stay in metric for most things - for some reason I still think in terms of pounds and ozs. for meat. And a pint of beer is still 20 ozs having lived in Wales.
deblacksmith
The US nickel (5¢ coin) weighs close enough to exactly 5g as not to matter. I recall seeing a page on the web that had the weight specifications for a variety of coins from various nations. Coins make good calibration standardized test weights.
gary
Thanks Gary, Learn something new everyday ! A roll of nickels cost a lot less that scale standards. Good info to know.
deblacksmith
... I would definitely give that a shot. Unfortunately I got rid of all my US coins at the toll bridge on our way back. ;) Thanks, great tip!
A Loonie is dead on at 7.0 grams. Use a stack, at least you can spend them. (As per google.)
deblacksmith
Thanks! Laundry money can do double-duty.