Which Kitchen Scales ?

Ticklemouse

I have decided to get myself a new set of kitchen scales. The ones I have now are over 20 years old and whilst have done a sterling job, are only accurate to about, oh, the nearest 25-50gm

I once hankered after the old fashioned ones with the weights, but I have nowhere to keep them, so want a nice set of shiny electronic scales. There are a couple in Argos, by Salter, as c.£30 and £35. Are these as good as they sound? Can anyone recommend any other ones? Don't really want a platform set as would have to faff around using my own bowl - would rather it had its own pan.

What have you lot got?

ManAtHome

Depends on whether you have special dietary requirements (or are using them to calculate postage...)- I tend to work on the 'add a slack handfull and taste it' system. Before I discovered cooking could be quite fun (I shoud say at this point I am blessed with 'cast iron stomach' synrome) I used to guesstimate from pack weights - eg 20g is 1/5 of a 100g pack etc.

nabowla

I got given the Salter Elite Plus scales as a Christmas present last year. They're fantastic! Weights can be read in g or oz and are accurate down to the last 1/4 gram. The display screen can be reset to zero at any time so you can add three or four ingredients, mix together, put back on the scales at zero and then add another ingredient without having to do any complicated sums (a wonderful invention!!!) The bowl has a capacity of 2.5 litres, which I find is large enough for all my needs, but the flat platform does mean that you can use your own container from time to time too. I know you said you don't want to faff around using your own bowl but just occasionally it's quite useful to be able to use a different shape/size container - the beauty of the Salter scales is that you get a proper bowl for everyday and an option to do things differently from time to time.

tootles_2

When I was at college doing my catering course we were told to buy scales with weights every time, they are far more accurate than any others.

I bought a set from Argos some 20 years ago and they are still in regulaer use today.

squeaky

Haing been around industry that uses salter, and having my own salter scales, I'm happy to recommend them for quality stuff and good after sales service.

blue-kat

I've got Salter flat elec scales, cost about £30, and find them excellent, and they take up hardly any room to store in drawer, had them 3+ years and still going on orig batteries. It weighs liquid in ml, fl oz which saves using a measuring jug and therefore less washing up.
I just pop the food processor bowl on the platform, set it to zero, and add all the cake ingredients in it.
recommended !

Ticklemouse

Thanks for your replies. I hadn't really thought about the fact that the flat ones will of course be much easier to store and I do have a seemingly endless supply of bowls (It was late last night when I was thinking about this)

I do adher to the 'bung a handful' school of cooking when making certain dishes, but I think for cake and breadmaking, then accurate scales would be better. I would love the old fashioned scales with weights - they are so lovely to look at, but until I get my big kitchen, I really have no room (According to SIL's medium we WILL be moving again at some point, so may get my huge kitchen )

I won't be getting them until after the hols and will of course wait until there are suitable sales on:)

Nile

I prefer the electronic kitchen scales, especially for weighing things like butter or margarine. I place a piece of paper in the bowl, reset the zero then weigh the fat........and the paper keeps the bowl clean from fat/greasy smears.:D

The trouble with old fashioned scales and separate weights is that the weights lose their accuracy.........they become heavier over time with the build up of accumulated dirt.

The 'witness' weights used for calibration purposes are picked up in gloved hands and tweezers so that dust/dirt/moisture isn't transferred.

...................gets down from lecture platform and takes lab coat off.;)

Ted_Hutchinson

Robert dyas Kitchen Accessories & Storage have a good selection and some bargain prices.

Pal

I love my electronic scales. They are only slightly thicker than a dinner plate so hardly take up any storage space. It also doesn't have a bowl. You just put your container or plate on top, set it to zero and then pour in the correct amount.

It doesn't do liquids as some have mentioned but I admit I am at a loss as to how that would work anyway. ???

rchddap1

I also use electronic scales (a flat platform on which I put my bowls). They are easy to store, and (which is a big bonus for me) there aren't any bits to loose. I have had my scales for around 5 years and they are still going strong. It all depends on what works best for you.