Submitted by Marni on June 25, 2008 - 11:35am.
I guess I'm convinced. I have never baked with scales, but the folks here that do make it sound like the very best way to go. The clincher for me- someone said there will be fewer things to wash up!!
So please- what scale do you have, do you like it or not and why? Any other advice? Brands or styles to avoid? Tips on use?
Thanks in advance,
Marni
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My scale
My scale can be seen here:
http://www.breadtopia.com/store/escali-primo-kitchen-scale.html.
It cost all of $24.00 and seems to be very accurate.
It can be purchased a variety of places, but I do recommend Breadtopia.
I like the ease of taring, the fact that it does't automatically turn off until after 4 minutes, the compact size, the easy to read window. There isn't anything I dislike.
I love the fact that the buttons and view window are covered with a sheet of flexible plastic. I won't get flour down in there and ruin the scale like I did on another one I had. I have had this one two months and am very happy with it.
Mary
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That one ticks the boxes
It has enough range (11lb/5000g). - remember that your maximum weight will include your bowl (and maybe a small bowl to raise the big bowl well clear of the display)
It has enough precision (working in 1g/0.1 ounce 'clicks'). IMHO, for home quantities, 1g clicks are needed for consistent weighing of salt. For bigger quantities, 2g clicks are fine, but for measuring 10g of salt its worth having something that'll do better than "between 8 and 12". (BTW weighing salt eliminates the massive differences caused by different grain-size salts - a teaspoon of one salt can be 50% more salt than a teaspoon of another salt.)
That scale seems to have been designed with thought of minimising 'stuff' getting into the moving parts (like buttons). These things are electronic - so clean it like a cellphone rather than a frying pan - or better, try hard not to get 'stuff' onto the critical bits. Tip: in a mucky/dusty (production?) environment, you can put the whole scale inside a (clear) flexible plastic bag (set your item for weighing on the scale, but outside the bag) - just make sure you can still read the display! Seriously expensive pro scales are well shielded. Domestic ones generally aren't.
That scale uses AA batteries. Better all round IMHO than watch batteries. You can even use NiMH rechargeables... (but search for low self-discharge ones). You should hardly ever need to change the batteries, but when you do...
It looks as though the display is slightly angled. That's more readable than one that is stylishly horizontal. Especially once there is a bowl on the scale... And although small is beautiful, the further the display is from the load pan, the more easily readable it will be in use - so a scale that is "too small" is a nuisance.
Because readability is what the display is about, a bigger display should be better. And a backlight really is an excellent addition, even if you don't plan on using it in the dark!
Another good feature is an off switch. (With a timed eventual auto-off as a backstop for the busy or forgetful.)
I'd say that this Escali looks better than my own UK-supermarket-house-brand scale. (But mine was cheaper!) Mine uses watch batteries, has a horizontal, non-backlit display - and timed off only. Its a 1g click model, which was bought to replace a 2g click scale (which had an angled display, and an off switch... and used AA cells.)
If you pay 2 or three times the price of a cheapo scale, you'll get something more stylish, but not necessarily better in functionality. And a bulletproof commercial/industrial model will cost you lots more than the sleek glass and stainless steel 'designer' model.
Hence, I'd suggest going for cheap functionality, combined with a recognition that the scale's tolerance to abuse will be limited. So be gentle with it, and above all, don't get it wet!
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I'm with Mary
I also have the Escali Primo and it's great for the price and love it for all of the same reasons mary mentioned. The compact size is especially nice. I slip mine in with my cookbooks when I'm not using it.
There are better scales out there, but the Primo fit my budget and does the job.
By the way, when I first got my scale, I was sure I wouldn't use it all that much. Now I couldn't live without it.
Tim
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I got a digital scale at
I got a digital scale at Wal-Mart in the $25-30 range. As long as it reads in grams and 1/8 ounces, then it's good for bread baking.
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Escali Primo Digita
Got it at Amazon. Great little scale. Makes mise en place so much faster. And less messy for me.
Just make sure whatever scale you are looking at has the tare function.
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My scale: MyWeigh i5000
I have a MyWeigh i5000 which has worked well for me. In the US the Old Will Knott Scale Company web site carries many brands and scales and has a lot of information overall.
sPh
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I use the same scale and
I use the same scale and it's still good and sturdy after all the abuse. Old Will Knott really knows their scales and has a very informative website.
http://www.applepiepatispate.com
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I have the i5000 also.
I have the i5000 also. Love it.
Susanfnp
http://www.wildyeastblog.com
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My digital scales are making me nuts
I first bought a lovely super-sleek Soehnle (I think that's right) that worked beautifully for a coupla months, then died with no hope of resurrection. Then I bought another, with a brand I cannot find on the machine, that has worked perfectly for a year. Now all of a sudden, it won't change units. So I can only measure in pounds/ounces. Argh.
"I am not a cook. But I am sorta cooky."
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Another vote..
for Escali Primo and Breadtopia. I've purchased things from Eric a few times and he is great to deal with.
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scale
I have a polder digital easy to read scale from QVC. Am I the only one here?
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You'll know I'm a free spirit
when you learn that I use a second hand digital, electric postal scale that I got for free (it was gathering dust at my husband's workplace).
The downside: the version I have only weighs in pounds, ounces, and tenths (no metric option).
The upside: it has a large flat weighing surface that can accomodate almost any size or shape of container. And it does have a tare option.
I know the PO is still selling digital scales and I think they run in the $25 range. Not sure if they are now metric.
Paula F
Philadelphia PA
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scale question
I have this new polder and it is only up to 6.5 lbs., also I decided to measure the flour for a rye bread I want to do and the scale was a bit less then the 2 cups I had on it so I added more to make 1 lb. I hope I didn't mess up, or maybe the scale is off, it's new, I really should not talk on the phone when I am doing all this. I don't know how much extra flour I added. Another recipe from the bread machine book. I hope someone can help me here, TIA
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buying a scale
Thanks to those who suggested scales.
I couldn't find info on shipping costs at Breadtopia. Any ideas?
Is Eric at Breadtopia one of the Erics on this site?
Thanks again,
Marni
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Breadtopia Eric...
has been here from time to time. I'm not sure how often though...
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the other Eric
The Beadtopia guy is the other Eric. Everything I have bought from him has been very reasonable.
Eric
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Breadtopia
Hi, Marni:
If you "start" to enter the order, there will be a place on the order to put in your zip code. Shipping is based on zip code. Then, you can adjust it for what type of shipping you want. This all happens after you "put something in the cart."
Of course, you can then not complete the sale if you don't like the numbers you see! I think his shipping was reasonable, but I like to see what I am paying, also. As long as you don't click "complete order" you can always just cancel it out.
Not sure if this Eric is on the list. If so, maybe he will fess up.
Mary
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scale
I was worried for nothing, my rye bread came out of the oven so good.
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