The link is to a good article about the various types of scales.

I have a balance beam scale and I'm shopping for a digital scale as well.

Of all the functions listed in the article, the one I wish my scales had is the 'tare' function. Some brands call this an 'auto-zero' function. It allows you to reset the readout to zero after you put the bowl on the scale, and after adding a given ingredient. That makes the addition of subsequent ingredients a snap, especially useful in baking--you don't have to keep track of a running total, constantly adding and subtracting to figure out how much stuff you added. In short, don't buy a scale without a tare function.

Here is a link that might be useful: scales discussion

Here's one like the older one that I have. Works perfectly.

Helpful hint: put the scale into a large zip-lock bag and leave it there while using it. I have only taken mine out of the bag to change the battery. You don't need to take it out of the bag to use it, and it will stay pristine!

Here is a link that might be useful: Salter scale

You can get same model (or whatever model they've replaced it with) elsewhere if Amazon doesn't have it.

If you happen to have a Tuesday Morning store near you, they often have a great deals on digital kitchen scales. I have a variety of kitchen scales and use them all the time. Much easier than converting recipes....

One tip about scaling flour for bread...there are no standards for what a "cup" of flour weighs if you are converting cups to weight. It varies from 4, 4-1/2, to 5 oz. - depending on the "expert" - not to mention the type of flour.

In and of themselves, "cups" are a very inaccurate measure because we all fill them differently and amounts packed into them will vary tremendously from person to person. Not to mention, there are NO standards by which "cups" and "spoons" are manufactured. An inexpensive set may be short the correct amount, and an expensive set may be too generous.

Recipe amounts are just a good guess for flour for bread no matter HOW you measure it. Because of the differences in protein levels from brand to brand and bag to bag. Protein (aka gluten) in flour is what soaks up hydration. You can test flour/water mixtures to get a fair idea of how much protein is in the flour by the consistancy of the mixture.

Moisture content of flour (more moisture in the humid months, less moisture in dry months), also affects the amount of flour needed. So you'll still need to go by the "feel" of dough, not exact measurements.

Where scales help with bread is when you have multiple loaves. You can scale them so they are equal in size, and generally will rise and bake at about the same time. Same goes for dividing cake batter into multiple pans. Scale them to get the batter evenly distributed between the pans.

You can also place the correct amount of dough in the correct size loaf pans. One mistake often made is using the incorrect amount of dough for the pan size and you'll experience over- or under-proofing, shredding and splitting, and all kinds of problems. Scaling the dough will help to choose the correct pan.

-10x4-1/2-inch pan - 4-5 cups flour in recipe = 2# dough
-9x5-inch - 4 c. flour = 2# dough
-8-1/2x4-1/2-inch - 3 c. flour = 1.5# dough
-7-1/2x3-1/2-inch - 2-1/2 c. flour = 1# dough
-5-3/4x3-3/4-inch - 1-1/2 c. flour = 8 oz. dough
-4-1/2x2-1/2-inch - 3/4 c. flour = 6 oz. dough

I also scale dough for hamburger buns, hot dog buns, dinner rolls, etc. When they are the same size, and they rise and bake in approximately the same length of time.

-Grainlady

I can't recommend a scale but I did buy one to weigh my portions for weight watchers and I have problem with it so I figured I could warn you. The one I have has the tare function which is great but the unit itself it so small that if I use a regular dinner plate or a decent size bowl, I have trouble seeing the display. Make sure that the bowl you will be using to weigh your ingredients doesn't cover the digital read out. This is the one I have that I would say to avoid because of that problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: scale

I bought the MyWeigh iBalance 5000 scale that was mentioned in the link above from Arley.

Officially, it's a postal scale for my office(;-) but it works great in the kitchen. I did get the AC adapter, so it was $64 including shipping. I really, really like it and I use it for lots of things.

Thanks for the great information!
I will go to Tuesday Morning soon and see what I can find.
I have been finding bread recipes calling for flour by weight and love the idea of weighing out the dough to make consistent loaves.
Now I know why my artisan bread made in the pan comes out wrong....not using enough dough.

A couple of years ago, I was looking for a scale to help with ebay sales/shipping. I was shocked by the prices.

Then I found someone on ebay who sells scales. At the time he had an auction that ended every hour. They were amazingly cheap. Has the tare function, does kg or oz and other than a new battery, mine has been trouble free and very accurate for the past three years.

One of those things where even if it broke and I had bought a new one every year, it would have been cheaper than what I could find otherwise!

Grace

This is the one I have....and I love it!
I tried to weigh the neighbor's puppy, but he wouldn't sit still in the basket!
However it works great for flour, sugar, apples etc.
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful: OXO scale

After careful consideraton, when I had to replace my first digital electronic scale, this is what I chose:
(see the link)
My reasons were that it has the "tare" function, is easy to keep clean, and also has the ability to change the weighing units from ounces to grams, so you can use all recipes without worrying about conversions. Also the button for this is accessible and you can change at any time, even when weighing- some other scales you can option ounces or grams but the switch is underneath which is hardly convenient.

Here is a link that might be useful: Salter digital scale

I can recommend my Edlund scale. I have had it for about 10years and they are great. A little pricey but they keep on ticking. When I bake, I prefer baking with weights rather than cups. It does grams and pounds. I really wanted a Mettler Toledo since that was what we used in the lab but the digital ones were really expensive. If you can find one on Ebay, that woul be my first preference.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Edlund DS10 Scale

That OXO scale looks slick. I love that you can move the read out to suit the size of your bowl. That is now on my wish list.

It also has the tare weight function and switches from grams to ounces at the touch of a burtton.

This is the most similar to what I have.
I bought mine from Oldwillknot..on ebay probably 5 years ago.
It's mostly used for candle making..but...I do on occasion use for weighing packages and in the kitchen!!!!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: 35 lb scale

I too am scouting around for the best digital kitchen scale to buy. So far, this is the one that I am interested in:

http://www.toplinedigitalscales.com/catalog.php?action=124&item_id=413

Would like to know if anyone owns it, or one similar. Any "in-put" would be appreciated.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Scales

The link that Terri provided is similar to the one I got on ebay also.... he has an auction approximately every 15 minutes and they sell to the first bidder at less than a dollar plus 16.00 shipping.

Can't beat the price... it's accurate to .1 oz, has tare and mine has lasted great.

For use in the kitchen, I LOVE that idea of putting it in a big ziplock bag!! So smart!!!

Grace

I just bought the Oxo before Christmas. I was ready to order it from Amazon with free shipping, when it occurred to me to check Bed, Bath and Beyond. They had it in stock and with a 20% off coupon, it was $40 - even better than free shipping!

Has the tare function, lighted display, weighs up to 11 pounds in 1/8-ounce and 1 gram increments.

Copying and pasting lindac's link:

OXO scale