A kitchen scale is usually a counter top scale that measures dry or liquid ingredients by weight instead of volume. Most kitchen scales use an electrical cell component, or a 'strain gauge', which gives a very accurate reading of weighted ingredients. Also, most kitchen scales offer U.S. and metric unit readings as well as a 'tare' feature that subtracts the weight of a container placed to hold ingredients.
Free ShippingWhat is a Digital Kitchen Scale?
A digital kitchen scale measures the weight of ingredients and food items, and can be used to weigh food in the interest of portion control. Also, it can weigh letters and packages to calculate proper postage requirements. There is an advantage of a digital kitchen scale over a mechanical or spring scale, which normally has a flat surface mounted on a platform base. The spring inside the base weighs the item which is placed on the flat surface and does not accurately calculate the weight of small quantities of food or objects.
Since a digital kitchen scale functions by using an electrical cell that is hypersensitive to the slightest resistance placed on it, its accuracy is superior to the spring style. The cell component in a digital scale is called a strain gauge and is installed during the manufacturing process. It acts like a miniature computer and provides an LED readout of the object’s weight. Besides its LED display and supreme accuracy, a digital kitchen scale has other unique features. Most models offer readouts in both US and metric units that can be changed with the touch of a finger. This is beneficial since some recipes differ in how the amounts and weights of ingredients are presented.
Another feature is called a tare. This enables an individual to accurately subtract the weight of the container placed on the scale and to calculate the addition of different ingredients. For example, when a measuring container is placed on the scale, the tare button is pushed so the scale goes back to zero. After the first item is added to the container in the correct amount, the button is pressed and the next item is accurately weighed, beginning at zero again on the scale.
Another feature favored by many is the lack of seams on the digital scale. Its flat platform and base normally do not have any nooks or crannies to catch spills or food particles, allowing for easy cleaning. Many models have an automatic shut-off feature to avoid wasting battery life, and some digital scales can measure up to 13 pounds in 0.1 ounce increments. Most styles sit on the counter top, but there are wall mounts available.
A nutritional tracker can calculate nutritional value as well as the weight of foods. It tracks sodium, calories, protein, fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates and fiber. With a memory recall feature, an individual can add multiple food components for total nutritional values.
How do I Choose a Digital Kitchen Scale?
One consideration when choosing a digital kitchen scale is capacity. Sometimes it is necessary to weigh several pounds or kilograms of an ingredient, especially when cooking in bulk or doubling a recipe. A good kitchen scale should be able to accommodate a mixing bowl with several pounds or kilograms of ingredients. A flat kitchen scale is ideal as long as it can support the weight and size of a standard mixing bowl. Functionality and readability are also important considerations when choosing a kitchen scale. A digital scale provides a more readable display than a scale with a pointer and graded measurements, such as a spring style scale. Plus, the tare feature makes an accurate reading easier than manually subtracting a container’s weight.
Rehabmart is pleased to offer a variety of superior quality digital kitchen scales from our esteemed vendor, Escali, LLC.
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO
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