EmailIn most reviews, experts didn't find big discrepancies in accuracy between digital kitchen scales. However, ease of use and features do make a difference, and sometimes the simplest features prove the most useful. Here's what reviewers say about choosing a food scale:
- Look for a grams-to-ounces switch on the front of the scale and a tare function. Some scales, such as the Soehnle Futura, have switches on the underside of the housing, forcing you to turn the scale over to change the setting.
- Get a scale that can be stored upright, like a book. Slim, flat scales are easy to store in a cabinet.
- Look for a tare function. Tare resets the scale to zero, allowing you to weigh the ingredients without taking into account the weight of the container.
- Seamless buttons are best. If there's a seam around the scale's buttons, flour and dust can enter and, in some cases, cause the scale to stop working.
- Removable platforms are a must. It's much easier to clean a digital scale that has a removable platform.
- Look for ample capacity and precise calibration. Experts recommend at least five pounds of capacity and a calibration of 0.1 ounces and one gram.
- Check the display. If you can, try placing a large bowl or platter atop the scale and then reading the display. If you can't read it, look for a scale that's easier to read. The OXO Good Grips scale has a handy pullout display.
Another tip is to test the scale before you buy it, if you can. To quickly determine if a scale is accurate, weigh five nickels. The total weight should be 25 grams.