High-Precision Kitchen Scales

I am looking for recommendations of tried-and-true kitchen scales, either digital or mechanical.

There is a huge range of digital scales and the internet does a great job at throwing a bunch of hard-to-trust ads when searched. Do you have a kitchen scale that you have used for years? I am particularly interested in mechanical scales, but would love to hear about all experiences!

We have a digital scale from oxo that we got at ace hardware some 6 or 7 years ago. I check it a couple times a year and it is still accurate and we have never even changed.the battery. Its on pace to outlast the box it came in, which we still store it in. We use it several times a week

I've had a MyWeigh brand digital scale for approaching 20 years. It has a 1200 gram capacity and readability to 0.1g to a limit which I can't remember, then it's readability is 0.5g increments. The capacity allows me to set a bowl or small pitcher on it which might weigh a couple hundred grams itself, tare it, and still be able to weigh 500 or 700 grams of flour or water. If you want a good and accurate mechanical scale, I think a good old fashioned triple beam balance is the weigh to go.

I bought my Royal Ex10 about 20 years ago when I was selling on Ebay for postage.  Now I only use it in the kitchen when we butcher a deer, bulk meats, hamburger patties, etc.

It would easily measure flour, sugar if I used it that way.

I am really happy with it.



Amazon Link for Royal EX 3

Mine is black and will weigh 10 pounds where the one pictured only weighs 3 pounds

You have already gotten some good suggestions. I would shop the junk shops for mechanical scales. Just  make sure they can   be adjusted.

James Freyr wrote:I've had a MyWeigh brand digital scale for approaching 20 years. It has a 1200 gram capacity and readability to 0.1g to a limit which I can't remember, then it's readability is 0.5g increments. The capacity allows me to set a bowl or small pitcher on it which might weigh a couple hundred grams itself, tare it, and still be able to weigh 500 or 700 grams of flour or water. If you want a good and accurate mechanical scale, I think a good old fashioned triple beam balance is the weigh to go.

I was considering the KD-8000; it's great to know you have used the same My Weigh scale for 20 years, that is amazing! Longevity is especially important to me. Perhaps if I can find an old apothecaries' system with a collection of pebbles and stones... but how will I weigh the stones!?

Thank you to everyone who replied so far, your input is much appreciated!

What will you be weighing, primarily small stuff for baking or larger stuff like meat?

My scales are used to weigh animals, from a 25 gram critter to 30kg critters - accuracy is super critical for the tinies as I am not only dealing with what they weigh, but also how much they gained after a 3-10ml feed.

I have two favorites, both digital from Amazon.ca.

The one I use for the tinies is a dual platform Culinary Kitchen scale by Smart Weigh, model DS100, currently $87 (I pd less than $40 on sale).  It is battery operated (AAA), with a backlit LCD screen and flat touch (important, no gunk collecting buttons!) controls for pwr, unit and separate tare for each platform.

The small one is 3x5 inches and weighs in grams, to the second decimal point (173.14 gms) advancing 0.01 gm at a time. The second pad is 6.5x5 inches the same item weighs 0.174 KG and increases at 0.001 kg (1gm) increments.  

The BIG scale is by Angel Model SS-400, and is currently $149.99 (I have gotten all four of mine for less than $70 on sale). It weighs in 5 gram increments, and measures 16.5x13.75 inches with a 400lb maximum, is solid metal, weighs 7lbs and stores flat (about an inch thick). Battery or plug in; sealed buttons for pwr, tare, unit and hold. I have changed the AA batteries once in 3 years.

IF you happen to have friends in law enforcement they regularly confiscate scales being used for illicit purposes that are sent for destruction. Perhaps one of these (very accurate) scales might be available for a small donation?

Great idea regarding law enforcement as a source.  It is worth a phone call.  Just remember, if you are making methane, don't abbreviate it to meth.

I've had an Oxo Good Grips for over 10 years and it's still going strong. Weight limit is 11 lbs/5 kilos and it measures down to the 1/8 oz or gram, so its main utility is weighing out ingredients, yields on smaller batches of produce, seed yields etc. I get it dirty a lot during harvest season and's never been a problem. Batteries (AAA) need to be changed every couple years or so.

Lorinne Anderson wrote:What will you be weighing, primarily small stuff for baking or larger stuff like meat?

I will be weighing primarily small stuff for cooking, baking, and fermentation. I would need the scale to handle relatively larger batches, however I cannot imagine many situations that would necessitate weighing more than 10–15 lbs at once. It is great to hear about the experience you've had using your scales in weighing animals!

Lorinne Anderson wrote:IF you happen to have friends in law enforcement they regularly confiscate scales being used for illicit purposes that are sent for destruction. Perhaps one of these (very accurate) scales might be available for a small donation?

This is such a good contribution, thank you!