It is impossible to imagine a kitchen without scales. A lot can be said about them about the habits and addictions of the cook, because the more experienced he is, the more qualitative and functional equipment he surrounds. But sometimes it’s very difficult to choose them for you.
Criteria for choosing a kitchen scale
Hand held it is inconvenient to weigh the ingredients for the casserole, but they are convenient when checking sellers for honesty. A device without the option of counting calories will not really help those who are on a diet. To choose the right assistant in the kitchen, it is worth deciding on the tasks assigned to the technique.
At maximum load
Scales with a maximum load of 3-5 kg were widely used. For everyday use, this is enough.
If a large number of blanks is practiced for the winter, then it is better to choose a technique that can weigh up to 10 kg. For those who need a device that helps to maintain a diet, options with a maximum load of up to 3 kg and a large number of additional functions are well suited.
Accuracy
For kitchen scales, high accuracy is characteristic, reaching up to 1 g in electronic versions. But mechanical analogs show the result with an accuracy of 10 g, which makes them unsuitable for weighing small portions.
Type, principle of operation
Depending on the device, 2 types of scales are distinguished.
- Mechanical determine the force of compression / tension of the spring or the force of impact on one of the levers of the system. The user is guided by the result displayed on the scale. They do not need a power source, but as wear and tear inevitably appear errors. The "tired" mechanism can display the result with an error of up to 40-50g.
- Electronic scales show the result determined using a strain gauge that converts the load into an electrical signal. They are much lighter and more accurate than their mechanical counterparts, but require a connection to a power source. For too long, such a technique will not work without recharging or changing batteries, however, the possibility of errors is completely excluded. Weighing accuracy - up to 1 g.
A separate category includes jewelry scales that work without errors and display weight to the nearest hundredth of a gram. But their acquisition as kitchen helpers is not justified.
Convenience of construction
An important factor that inclines to the choice of a particular technique is the convenience of its use. There are scales:
- tabletop;
- wall mounted;
- tame.
The upper limit of the desktop rarely exceeds 10 kg. Of the design features it is worth highlighting the rubberized legs - their task is to prevent slipping. Often, manufacturers complete with such scales offer a bowl for weighing bulk solids, which affects the total cost.
If the device has a taring option, then you can safely refuse the addition in the form of a bowl.
Wall mounted do not differ much from desktop options. Their main advantage is the fastener system, which allows you to fix the device on a vertical surface. Thanks to this solution, you can save useful space in the kitchen. But the maximum weight for such a technique rarely exceeds 3-5 kg.
Manual scales are compact, which will remove the issue of allocating space for them. Most often, they do not have additional features. But the main disadvantage is felt when weighing a large number of products - the user has to constantly raise the load to a height sufficient to read information from the display or scale of the device.
For those who follow the accuracy of culinary specialists, another convenient assistant has been invented - a spoon-scales. With its help, it is easy not to exceed the dosage of spices - their weight is displayed on the display built into the handle.
Functional
Kitchen scales have long gone beyond simple weighing. They are able to calculate calories and determine the volume of fluid. There are even models with a built-in clock and thermometer.
Additional options significantly affect the cost of technology. Therefore, it is worth choosing based on your needs and budget.
The most useful are:
- taring;
- auto power off.
The first allows you to weigh products without taking into account the weight of the dishes. Moreover, it is possible to weigh several ingredients in one tank at once. To do this, it is enough after each added component to reset the indicators using the taring function.
Automatic shutdown is relevant for electronic scales with an independent power source. This option allows you to extend battery life or increase the interval between recharges due to the limitation of work in the passive mode.
Selection tips
The first thing that glances at the sight of an assortment of kitchen scales is a variety of design and technical solutions. But in order for the equipment service life to be long, it is better to choose models with a minimum of glass and plastic - these materials do not differ in strength and wear resistance. Retractable elements also do not please durability.
If the choice fell on the equipment with button control, you should focus on the ease of eliminating pollution from this area. For the same reason, it is undesirable to purchase scales with a ribbed surface.
Rating 5 best
Skarlett - practicality in its purest form. There are many design solutions, but beauty gives way to pragmatism. Both electronic and mechanical scales are manufactured at affordable prices.
Maxwell - economical accuracy. The manufacturer does not seek to actively expand the functionality of its scales, but compensates for this with quality of products worthy of attention. The original design, ease of use and low cost are well suited for those who want to just weigh the products.
REDMOND is a leader in functionality. If it is precisely the additional features that help facilitate easier monitoring of proper nutrition, then this is ideal. With them it is easy to calculate calories and determine the composition of products. Such helpers are not cheap.
Beurer - German quality, manifested in the choice of materials and performance. The simple design is offset by an affordable price. Actual for those who put on durability with a minimum of additional options.
Polaris is the case when beauty and durability prevail over accuracy. The appetizing design of the platform and the quality of materials turn the scales from the manufacturer into a worthy gift. Prices are below average, but you can’t count on special weighing accuracy.
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