Weighing Blues

[Old_Geezer]

Not really a question but a desire to moan and ask if anyone has solutions for the future. Which is why it is in this forum, but sensible solutions welcomed anyway.

Being good this morning I decided to go for cereal rather than toast, to get a good start to keeping the calories down.

I spot my old kitchen scales that I replaced with a newer one some time ago. Both are of similar design, different manufacturers. I was not sure why I replaced it, so I thought I'd try the old one. I put the dish on, zeroed the scale, then poured in the 30 gms of cereal as recommended on the box.

Then, out of interest I put an identical cereal dish onto the newer one, zeroed it and poured the cereal from the first dish to the second. In fact I went back and forth in that manner a few times watching the readings.

No two readings were identical, not even from the same scale. Every time I replaced the empty disk back on either scale it needed to be zeroed again because the dish had magically gained or lost weight during the process. My breakfast could have been any weight from 24 gms to 54 gms ! No way of telling (although it looked larger than usual to me).

I think I recall now that I started to disbelieve the consistency of the old scale, and now it seems that the new one is no better.

Two questions spring to mind. a) Why is this garbage allowed to be sold, since the norm seems to be that it's not fit for purpose, and b) is there any way to get a correct reading on a kitchen scale ?

[atalanta]

You can only be really sure if you use weights. I rely on my queen scales.

[Old_Geezer]

I wish I had enough space for the things I already have, trying to find cupboard/worktop room for traditional weights would be a nightmare. But I fear you are correct. What's weird is that I have a larger kitchen than my parents used to have, at least before they expanded the kitchen, yet I still have insufficient room for all the stuff I have. I'd take a lot down the charity shop (done that once already) but I'm sure the moment I do I'd need some of it back.

[Buenchico]

I use my kitchen scales to check the weight of packages before taking them to the Post Office and I always get the same weight as they do.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1061127.htm

[ummmm]

My kitchen scales are accurate.

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks Chris, but that is the same style as the ones I have, and one of those is a Salter brand.

[peachybabe]

I think that it's only really important when following a recipe. Even if the scales are out, as long as you use the same scales for all of the ingredients, the proportions should even out. BTW. I use my old weights scales which belonged to my g g grandmother!

[stuey]

Old mechanical type scales are like any other piece of machinery: Every so often they need cleaning and oiling to ensure relative accuracy and precision, especially the tare adjustment.

[dannyk13]

Og. you might find this link useful:-
http://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Your-Scale-Is-Working-Correctly

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks Danny, I'm off to find some nickels ;-)

[jourdain2]

I generally use my old kitchen scales (were my MiL's) which have weights in oz.. They don't change.

The newer (electronic) ones are unreliable, I have found out - like you. I use them if the weights are not critical' otherwise it's the old ones.

[Ellipsis]

It's not the scales it's you OG. You're not very good with tech. ;)

[Old_Geezer]

I may treat myself to a set of weights or two. Could always use them as standards on my existing scales first, then think about how to find space for a balance scale if necessary.

[EDDIE51]

I come from a scientific background and balances (scales to the layman) are among the most basic of all measuring devices. In addition to using them I was also responsible for the calibration of of them to BS5750 and the record keeping. Scientific balances are constantly checked against primary standards , kitchen scales have a much harder life and are seldom checked. I am not in the least surprised that a set of kitchen scales are often wildly inaccurate.

[Old_Geezer]

The lack of accuracy is bad enough, but it's the lack of consistency also.
Heck I use them just a few times a week. Usually to weight frozen veg, occasionally fish, and on rare occasions, when I have a box of cereal that still hasn't been started and yet has sneaked past it's 'best by' date, breakfast.

[EDDIE51]

I check my kitchen scales before using them, you may not have a BS certified primary mass ( weight) available but you will have something like a 250g pack of butter, a 500g or 1Kg packet of sugar or even a standard 800g loaf of bread. Any of these and other products will have an accurate weight , (to + - 5g) printed on them check weighing something like that will tell you if your scales are accurate or not.

[bednobs]

don't forget that 2 identical dishes won't weigh the sme

[Old_Geezer]

True, but that should not be an issue as I zero the scales each time.

[EDDIE51]

^^ It is called 'tareing' not zeroing. You zero a balance (scale) when there is nothing on it. Tareing is when you put a container on and then zero it with the container on the pan. In a laboratory we would normally weigh sequentially, tareing after every addition. I do the same for a recipe in the kitchen it's a lot easier, no adding up with the potential for mistakes.

[Zacs-Master]

Woke up this mornin, felt as fat as a pig
I said I woke up this mornin, felt as fat as a pig
Weeeeeeell my old lady
Cooked my breakfast on a dust bin lid.