How To Use A Food Scale: A Measuring Guide

Importance of Using a Food Scales

Measuring food quantities is important if you are particular with diet and nutrition. And because food estimates fail most of the time, a food scale shows the correct and accurate food portions and serving sizes. It is best used in meats and condiments and can also be used for rice, fruits, and veggies. A food scale is very important in preparing meals using meal plans or recipes that require certain weights of various ingredients.

When you know how to use a food scale, you can do away using kitchen measuring cups and spoons that usually add up to the cleaned utensils. A food scale is also easy to bring when traveling compared to measuring cups.

A food scale also makes you master the look and feel of the right serving sizes of food. As you use it frequently, you will get used to the usual food quantities that will eventually make you a good cook of various food recipes. Lastly, weighing ingredients will save you more time in making recipes.

Steps to Use a Food Scale

Step 1

There are two basic types of food scales available – the digital and analog or spring and weight scales. Choose the type that will work for you. Whatever your choice is, it is important to consider its convenience. It should also have a good bowl to hold the food.

Step 2

Always refer to the scale’s instruction manual before using the food scale. It is a very important consideration as you learn how to use a food scale. It will help you understand the different parts and features. It is good if your item has features such as calorie measurement and nutritional values.

Step 3

Zero out your food scale. Some scales have automatic zero measurements when turned on. The digital ones will display the zero number, while spring and weight types might need some knob turning of the scale to zero.

Step 4

Know the weight of the container that comes with the food scale. It has a significant mass to consider. When you know the food container’s actual weight value, subtract it from the number of registered measurements of the food you measure every time.

Step 5

When it’s all ready, place the food portions on the scale container. Let it settle for a moment before reading the weight, especially if you use the analog type. Digital food scales will display the numbers automatically. To have the correct reading, always refer to the instruction manual.

Step 6

After getting the food measurement, add the second ingredient, and do the same process until all measuring is done.

Advantages of Using a Food Scale

Using a food scale will greatly improve your cooking and baking practice at home; that is why it is vital to know how to use a food scale. The following are the advantages of using a food scale:

Maintains Uniformity and Accuracy

When you use a food scale, you are doing a precise and accurate ingredient measurement. You need to be accurate in that aspect in the kitchen, especially in baking, as it affects the food’s final texture and taste.

Converts Measurements

Some cooking procedures require measuring ingredients in grams. Using a food scale gives you the convenience of measurement conversion, so you won’t need to refer to and study the metric system all the time.

Helps Make Serving Control

If you are one of those people who are on a strict food diet, a food scale is your best buddy. Diet programs need measuring out of food portions and serving sizes, which a food scale very useful.

Measures Nutritional Information

An excellent food scale also measures the food’s nutritional information, aside from measuring its weight. The nutritional data it can display are the food’s calories, fat, cholesterol, protein, and carbohydrate content.