The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

HELP! I Need a New Scale!

doughooker's picture
doughooker

HELP! I Need a New Scale!

Today my Jennings CJ 4000 scale shut off while I was in the middle of measuring ingredients. As a result I was not able to measure the quantity I needed.

The scale is supposed to shut off in order to conserve battery life. This is all well and fine, but at the time the scale WAS RUNNING ON AC POWER! There were no batteries to conserve. I needed to measure a very small quantity of an ingredient and was adding it little by little. The weight display didn't change for a minute or so when the scale decided it was taking too long. This is OK when it's running on batteries but it wasn't. It was running off AC power from the wall, so I wound up having to guess at the quantity.

Can anyone recommend a scale which won't shut off when there are no batteries to conserve, i.e. it's running off AC wall power?

Ideally the scale should have a big enough platform to accomodate a 5-quart KitchenAid mixer bowl. One nice thing, maybe the only good thing, about the Jennings is that it only displays to 0.5 gram. As a result, the numbers don't flicker around, that is, it is not overly sensitive to minuscule weight changes or changes due to air movement.

doughooker's picture
doughooker
greyoldchief's picture
greyoldchief

Here's a link to a site that sells scales.  You should be able to find one that meets your needs.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/

 

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

While measuring the "little at a time" ingredient, put your finger on the scales and press down enough to change the weight so the scale goes up and comes back down to your exact measurement.  This lets the scale "know" it is still in use so it doesn't turn off.  It is also more accurate in measuring when using this technique to double check final results.  Especially when ingredients are tipped in slowly.   :)

doughooker's picture
doughooker

Ah, the old "finger-on-the-scale" trick. I didn't do that because I wasn't expecting it to go "lights out" so soon with it plugged into the wall.

I may still get a new scale because I'm mad at the old one :(

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

but read thru the instructions first.  I have often seen this "tip" included.  True, one doesn't expect the power to go off bit many gadgets have power savers including those hooked up to power.   Saving energy every way possible.  

You can also print out a picture of the scale and throw darts at it.  (although you feel more like tossing it into a hot oven)

It is actually an inertia physics thing and can happen to any scales. Something along the lines of movement, once stopped, needs more energy to move again than if it never stopped moving.  Digital or not it applies.  Sorry.

KathyF's picture
KathyF

I use the KD8000.  Link

It does have an auto turn off feature, but it can be disabled.