Normally I just measure by eye, but I decided to start using a scale in the kitchen*. I got the OXO kitchen scale, it goes from 1g to about 5 kilos. It's a great scale but I'm not sure the tolerance, maybe +/- 2-3g. This isn't bad for measuring things in the 10's or 100's of grams but terrible for small amounts of seasonings and powders. If the total weight might be 5 grams you could be off by 50%. (Note, I'm usually cooking for one, not a large group or family, so I'll make things in smaller quantities)
CS lists some recommendations:
Their recommended precision scale has an accuracy of 0.01 (one hundredths) and a max capacity of 100 grams. However, the scale they use only has accuracy of 0.1g (one tenth).**
Looking at scales on Amazon there seem to be 3 tiers based on precision and capacity:
- High precision, low max capacity: 0.01g ~ max 200g
- Medium precision, med. capacity: 0.1g ~ 500/1000g
- Low precision, high capacity: 1g ~ 5000g (5kg)
What are people's thoughts on precision and tolerances? Does it even matter in practical day-to-day use? Do people need 0.01g accuracy? I'd love a super precision scale but the max capacity is so low that weight almost any container will bring it up to capacity.
* Technically I bought one a long time ago but it was too bulky that there was no room for it in the kitchen so I never used it.
** The picture is different from the model listed, the picture shows a hundredths accuracy 0.00g but that scale has a max capacity of 600g.
