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why i love my oxo kitchen scale Brandt Ranj, a commerce reporter for The Verge, shares his insights on the OXO 11 lb Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display, a kitchen tool that has become indispensable in his baking endeavors.

why i love my oxo kitchen scale

Background on Kitchen Scales

Kitchen scales have evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from simple mechanical devices to sophisticated digital tools that offer precision and convenience. For both amateur and professional bakers, accurate measurements are crucial. Unlike cooking, which can often tolerate a bit of improvisation, baking is a science that requires exact ratios of ingredients. This is where a reliable kitchen scale comes into play.

In the past, many home cooks relied on volumetric measurements, such as cups and tablespoons. However, as the culinary world has embraced more scientific approaches to cooking, the importance of weight measurements has become increasingly recognized. This shift has led to a surge in the popularity of kitchen scales, with various brands and models flooding the market.

Brandt’s Journey with Baking

Family Traditions and Personal Innovations

Brandt comes from a lineage of bakers who have traditionally measured ingredients by feel, relying on recipes passed down through generations. This method, while steeped in familial tradition, often lacks the consistency that precise measurements can provide. As the first in his family to embrace a more analytical approach to baking, Brandt has faced some skepticism from relatives who are accustomed to the old ways. However, he has found that his commitment to exact weights and ratios has led to more consistent and successful baking outcomes.

“The results speak for themselves,” he notes. “My bakes are more consistent because the same amounts of ingredients are used every time.” This newfound precision has not only improved his baking but has also allowed him to experiment with new recipes and techniques that require exact measurements.

Choosing the Right Scale

With a plethora of kitchen scales available on the market, Brandt chose the OXO 11 lb Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display for several compelling reasons. One of the standout features of this scale is its magnetically attached digital display, which can be pulled away from the base. This design is particularly beneficial when measuring ingredients in large bowls, as it allows for easy reading without the need to move the bowl, which could disrupt the accuracy of the measurements.

“Rather than move the bowl, which could skew the measurements, I remove the display,” Brandt explains. “It stays attached to the base with an admittedly thin cable, so I have to be a little gentle.” This thoughtful design feature is a testament to OXO’s commitment to user-friendly products that enhance the cooking experience.

Performance and Reliability

Consistent Accuracy

Brandt has been using the OXO scale for several years, and he attests to its reliability and performance. “It’s never let me down,” he states confidently. The scale features a large, easy-to-read display that makes it simple to monitor measurements, even in the midst of a busy baking session. The tactile buttons provide a satisfying click, ensuring that users can operate the scale effectively, even when their hands are covered in flour.

Although the scale does not have an official IP rating for water resistance, Brandt has encountered spills and splashes during his baking endeavors without any issues. “Liquid ingredients have splashed onto the top of the scale dozens of times, and I haven’t had any problems,” he notes. This durability is a significant advantage for home cooks who may not always be as careful as they should be in the kitchen.

Low Maintenance

Another appealing aspect of the OXO scale is its low maintenance requirements. Brandt mentions that the scale runs for several months before needing a battery replacement, making it a convenient tool for regular use. “It’s one of those ‘you only have one job’ devices, and it performs admirably,” he adds. This reliability is crucial for anyone who frequently bakes or cooks, as it minimizes disruptions in the kitchen.

Areas for Improvement

Nerdy Considerations

While Brandt is a fan of the OXO scale, he does have a few suggestions for improvement. He delves into a more technical aspect of baking when discussing the need for dual platforms on kitchen scales. “Some scales have two platforms: one for larger amounts of ingredients, and another that can precisely weigh very light amounts of ingredients,” he explains. This feature can be particularly useful when making recipes that require precise measurements, such as pizza dough, where even the smallest variations can affect the final product.

“When you’re making pizza, all of your ingredients should be proportioned down to the gram relative to the amount of flour in the dough,” Brandt elaborates. He emphasizes that homemade pizza dough can be a complex undertaking, and having a scale that accommodates both heavy and light ingredients would enhance the baking experience.

Rechargeable Battery Considerations

Brandt also expresses interest in the possibility of a rechargeable battery for the scale. “I think it would be interesting if the scale had a rechargeable battery, but only if it could be removed and replaced,” he suggests. This feature would prevent the need to discard the entire scale once the battery degrades, aligning with sustainable practices that are increasingly important to consumers.

Measuring Advice for Home Cooks

Transitioning from Volumetric to Weight Measurements

For those who are new to using kitchen scales, Brandt offers valuable advice on transitioning from volumetric measurements to weight-based measurements. “If you’re moving from using volumetric measurements, it’s important to be able to convert that to grams or ounces if the recipe doesn’t provide that information,” he explains. This conversion can be particularly challenging, as there is often conflicting information about how many grams are in a cup of flour.

Brandt notes that the general consensus is that a cup of flour weighs around 120 to 130 grams. However, he cautions that if a recipe wasn’t developed with weight measurements in mind, the results may vary significantly. “Things can get a little funky,” he admits.

Finding Reliable Recipes

To ease the transition, Brandt recommends seeking out recipes that list ingredients by weight. Additionally, he encourages home cooks to look for guidance on converting measurements from ingredient packaging or websites. For example, the King Arthur Baking Company provides clear information on the weight of its flour, stating that a cup of its flour converts to 120 grams. “The info is actually printed on the bag, which is very helpful,” he points out.

Fun Facts for Social Gatherings

As a light-hearted conclusion to his advice, Brandt shares a quirky tidbit that can serve as a conversation starter at social gatherings. “After a little while, you’ll be able to convert measurements in your head, and get to tell people at cocktail parties that a stick of butter weighs about 113 grams,” he jokes. This playful remark highlights the joy of baking and the sense of community that can arise from sharing culinary knowledge.

Where to Buy the OXO Scale

The OXO 11 lb Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display is available for purchase at various retailers. The price typically hovers around $64.99, but it can often be found at discounted rates:

$56.99 at Amazon
$53.03 at Walmart
$64.99 at OXO

Investing in a quality kitchen scale like the OXO model can significantly enhance your cooking and baking experience, providing the precision needed for consistent results.

Source: Original report