Kitchen Scale?

[katygirl]

Just curious.... Do you own a kitchen scale? I have often thought about buying a cheap one but I never do. I don't want it to end up in the useless kitchen gadget graveyard.

I just am very bad at estimating and certain recipes ask for 2 pounds of potatoes/onions or whatever and I am always at a loss.

Anyone have any advice??

Thanks

:) Katy

[Luv to Cook]

Katygirl,

I use a kitchen scale and I think it is great. For all of my life I have been eating 1 1/2 to 2 servings of cereal, pasta, etc. This really helps keep everything to size. Also, I find it very helpful when I am baking. I highly recommend one.

Hope this helps!

anita

[Melman]

I have the Pampered Chef scale. I'm sure I got it with the bonus from having a party. I enjoy having it. I don't use it every day or even every week...but when I need it, I'm really glad it's there.

The one thing that I think is pretty important when picking out one is to have the "tare" feature. This lets you measure x-number of ounces of one ingredient....reset it to zero...and measure x-number of ounces of another ingredient. I have used this feature a great deal with my scale. You can put ANY bowl or cup or whatever on it, set it to zero..and then weigh your ingredients.

Good luck with your purchase.

[ebobbitt]

I too have a kitchen scale. It's a digital model I got at Weight Watchers and I use it all the time. Although it's not necessary for WW to weigh and measure food, I like knowing I'm using the correct amount of an ingredient if it's given in pounds, ounces, etc.

[Pat]

I picked one up at TJ Maxx some months also and use it when a recipe calls for 2 lbs of potatoes, etc. It has opened my eyes to how much of everything I was using when I was estimating what 2 lbs were. Mine also has the feature where you add whatever you want, set it to zero, add more which comes in handy. Although it comes with a container, you can also use whatever container you wish. I do not use it every day or even every week, but no more than it cost at the Maxx, it has been worth it.

[Vanessa]

Hi. I have a kitchen scale which comes in handy during the summer when I blanchvegetables, make tomato sauces etc to freeze. I also use it to calculate the marinade for meats, turkey etc. I think its a handy gadget to have

[SusanT]

I have one that I got for Christmas (yes, I asked for a kitchen scale from Santa!). It's not digital but it seems to be accurate. I don't use it every day but it does come in handy for measuring cheese, nuts, etc.

[csmcnamara]

I have a scale from Pampered Chef and I use it all the time. Since it is just me and my DH I am forever cutting recipes in half. I use it the most for measuring meat and pasta.

[Packy]

I have a small digital kitchen scale. I too don't use it everyday nor even every week but when I do use it, especially for weighing ounces, it's very handy. I recommend getting one.

[gobluem82]

I have a Cuisinart kitchen scale which I use at least a few times a week. I use it for pasta, veggies, and also measuring liquids (it saves me from dirtying up a measuring cup!:) ) I think you'll be surprised at how much you use it--I consider it indispensible.

[Gina O]

I have a digital kitchen scale that I use all the time and really love. It also has the "zero" feature which is helpful since it did not come with it's own bowl. I have a couple cookbooks that the majority of the recipe ingredients are in weights instead of measures so it is absolutely necessary. Gina

[RobinC]

I also have the Cuisinart digital scale (and I got it for Christmas because it was one of the top items on my list). I love the scale and have found the same benefits as others have mentioned. I find it much more accurate to weigh ingredients/portions. I don't use it every day, but it is also small enough that I don't find that it takes up precious counter space. I've learned the 8oz of sliced mushrooms is really a pretty good amount of 'shrooms, and a 4 oz chicken breast really isn't all that big.

[carolyn.1]

I also have a pampered chef kitchen scale, you will not realize how much you will use it. I probably use mine twice a week. If I'm doing heavy duty cooking (trying several recipes a week) I will use it with every meal. I recommend getting one.
Carolyn--

[gertdog]

I have a non-digital scale that weighs up to two pounds of stuff. I use it a lot. I'd like to buy a new digital one, though, because it drives me crazy to have to readjust the scale when I switch from using the bowl on the scale to not using it.

The tare feature described above (add ingredient to bowl, reset to zero, add more ingredients, etc.) sounds worthwhile too, especially if you bake.