Kitchen scales are devices used to measure the weight of food ingredients. They are an essential tool in any kitchen, allowing cooks to be precise when measuring recipes.
There are many different kitchen scales on the market, from simple digital scales to more complex models that can weigh both dry and liquid ingredients. No matter what type of kitchen scale you choose, it is important to ensure that it is accurate and easy to use. After all, nobody wants to end up with a cake that is too heavy or too light.
8 Different Types of Kitchen Scales
1. Mechanical Scale
Over the centuries, people have used various methods to weigh objects. The most common type of scale is the mechanical scale. This tool works by adding the object you wish to weigh on the bowl-like plate, and the hand will move accordingly, pointing to the designated weight reading.
Mechanical kitchen scales are a staple in any baker's kitchen. They are exact, easy to use and durable. These scales can measure in either grams or kilograms and can be easily zeroed out in between ingredients.
The scale's platform is usually made of stainless steel for easy cleanup. Some of these kitchen scales also have a bowl attached to the platform, making it even easier to measure ingredients without making a mess.
2. Digital Scale
A digital kitchen scale uses sensors to weigh objects. The display screen makes it easy to read the weight of an item, and the sensors allow for more accurate measurements than traditional analog scales.
This kitchen scale measures ingredients for recipes and portions of food for individual meals. Digital scales typically have a capacity of up to 5 kilograms and are accurate to within 0.1 grams.
Some digital scales also include a tare function, which resets the scale's measurement back to zero. This can be useful for measuring multiple ingredients in the same bowl or container.
3. Stainless Steel Scale
Stainless steel kitchen scales are durable and easy to clean, making them an excellent choice for busy home cooks. In most cases, they are sleek and stylish, too.
Essentially, this type of kitchen scale is similar and can be categorised as a digital scale. However, as the name implies, the entire unit is made of stainless steel, while a regular digital scale may be a combination of fibreglass, steel and other durable materials.
4. Balance Scales
Balance scales come in handy for measuring ingredients, portioning food and even checking the weight of packages. They work by using a simple principle of physics known as the law of equilibrium. This law states that when two objects are placed on opposite sides of a fulcrum or pivot point, they will balance each other out.
The scale will remain level as long as the weights on each side are equal. If one side is heavier, the scale will tilt in that direction. The cook can achieve precise measurements by adding or removing weight from either side.
5. Smart Nutrition Scale
The smart nutrition scale is a new kitchen gadget designed to make meal planning easier and more accurate. The scale connects to an app on your smartphone which allows you to input the ingredients you will use.
The app will then calculate the nutritional information for the recipe, including calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and so much more. It also provides recommendations for portion sizes and suggests healthy alternatives for ingredients high in calories or fat.
This kitchen scale innovation is Bluetooth-enabled, so you can also connect it to your personal computer or tablet to track your progress over time.
6. Hanging Scale
Kitchen hanging scales are often used in commercial cooking areas to weigh large quantities of food. They have the advantage of holding more weight than traditional kitchen scales, making them ideal for weighing large batches of ingredients.
Although this type of scale can be more expensive, they free up space, and some even have additional features like tare weights and timers. Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, these hanging scales are a great option for any kitchen.
7. Large-capacity Scale
Most kitchen scales have a maximum capacity of about 5kg. However, for those who do a lot of baking or cooking for big groups, a large-capacity scale can be a valuable kitchen tool.
These scales typically have a capacity of 10kg or more, making them ideal for measuring larger quantities of ingredients. Many models of this kitchen scale come with a detachable bowl which can be used to measure wet ingredients or to mix dough and batter.
8. Gram Pocket Scale
The gram pocket scale is a new kitchen weighing device designed with lightweight materials and portability. It features a sleek black design that will look good on any countertop. This kitchen scale innovation has a capacity of 5,000 grams. It also comes with a large LCD that is easy to read and uses two AAA batteries.
Ready to choose the kitchen scale that suits your needs?
Contact Meltrons Australia today!