Are Digital Kitchen Scales Accurate?

Digital Kitchen Scale Accuracy

Kitchen scales can be a useful tool for home cooking recipes but they’re absolutely essential for homebaking. But you’ll have to make a decision between analog or digital scales which each have their own merits. Choosing between analog or digital scales often comes down to aesthetic preference but there’s more to it than that. That’s why we’re going to go over some pros and cons of kitchen scales to find out if digital kitchen scales are more accurate.

Analog Scales

In order to find out if digital scares are more accurate or efficient, we should first take a look at analog scales so that we can create a fair comparison. Analog scales are undoubtedly a popular choice for many users, but this mostly comes down to the fact that they’ve been around for a longer time and are sometimes (but not always) more aesthetically pleasing. The large, colorful analog scales you see on cooking shows and interior design magazines might look like the ultimate kitchen accessory but there are some fundamental problems with this device.

Perhaps most importantly, analog scales usually have a dial that increases in increments of 5 grams. While this may be useful for weighing large quantities, it’s less convenient when you have to squint your eyes to focus on the small numbers in between – this is especially important when weighing smaller quantities. These scales also work on the principle that the starting weight can be altered to allow for different measuring bowls. While this is beneficial, it can easily lead to false readings if the dial hasn’t been reset correctly. In short, there is a greater margin for human error when using analog scales.

Digital Scales

Compared to analog scales, digital scales remove the human error aspect as the measuring and resetting are all completed by the internal processor. This results in a much simpler, easier experience with minimal chance of misreadings or other errors. However, there are still some features that change depending on each device and you should look out for them when selecting your next kitchen scale.

For the most accurate readings, ensure your digital kitchen scale increases in increments of 1 gram or less. Ideally, a kitchen scale should increase in increments of 0.1 grams for the best accuracy possible. The accuracy of a digital scale is usually related to the general quality of the device. If it comes with a sturdy case, easy to read LED display, and other neat features, you should expect equally high standards for its accuracy. You can check these features by checking out the product description but in general, higher quality = more accurate device.

The main issues some people have with digital scales regard their appearance, not so much their accuracy or general functionality. Unlike analog scales, digital scales are usually flat, come in plastic or metal materials, and don’t have a measuring bowl. This is because you can use any measuring bowl on digital devices, so long as you weigh the empty bowl first. Because of this design, digital scales typically look more modern and less classic than vintage-looking analog scales. However, this isn’t necessarily a problem if you prefer modern-looking design or don’t have preferences for your scale’s appearance. It’s also ideal for users who don’t have much space as a digital scale can easily slide into a drawer or cupboard when it’s not in use.

Why Does It Matter?

You might be wondering why this all matters. Does it really make a difference if your scales increase by 1 or 5-gram increments? This is an important question and it entirely depends on what you want to do with your kitchen scales. If you’re an avid baker and want to continuously improve and hone your craft then accuracy should be of fundamental importance to you. Or, if you already do some homebaking but want to do it more and to improve your results then it’s worth choosing a high-quality digital scale for its increased accuracy.

However, if you like to bake occasionally and it’s not something you take very seriously then perhaps you don’t mind about small errors caused by 1-5 gram increments. If baking is a simple hobby you enjoy on rainy days or on quiet Sunday afternoons with your friends or family, then you shouldn’t worry about the finer details of kitchen scales. So long as it works well, is made of high quality, durable materials, and looks good to you then that’s all that matters.

Homebaking should be a fun and enjoyable experience for all those involved. If a super accurate digital scale is what you need to achieve that, then now you know what to look for. Keep in mind the key features we’ve discussed, such as design and measurement increments, and you’ll easily find the perfect device for your cooking needs.

Source:

1. Understanding the Limits of a Digital Scale’s Accuracy – The Withdrawal Project