Snafu

Recipes 

Just curious how precise the majority is. If I use Promash or even EZ spreadsheet, the ion additions can get pretty small ie: 1.91 grams of XXX. Are most of y'all using scales that read 1/100 of a gram? Currently I just use a 1g scale. But I'm tossing the idea around of getting a 1/10 or 1/100 grams scale. Anyone want to recommend a scale? I've seen some out there that include a calibration weight. I would think a scale with removable tray would be best, not for measuring on, but cleaning. Most scales have a tare function anyway. What say you?

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

DeafSmith

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I use an ammo reloading scale made by RCBS. I have the model 1010, but they have another balance beam model that sells for $57.

https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/MainServlet?storeId=webconnect&catalogId=webconnec t&langId=en_US&screenlabel=index&action=CategoryDi splay&categoryId=C08J154&route=C08

There are a number of these used scales for sale on eBay, so you might be able to pick up one pretty cheaply, especially if you are willing to use a balance beam scale instead of electronic.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=rcbs+reloading+scale

The only problem with these reloading scales is that they weigh in grains, not grams, so you will have to convert (15.4 grains per gram). The one I have has a resolution of 0.1 grain, or 1/154 gram.

Snafu

Recipes 

Whoa, now you have me thinking. I used to have a set of triple beam scales I used for reloading ammo that weighed in grains, I guess I could dig that out of storage and use that, but I think I'd rather go digital now that I think on it some more, heck, I do enough converting as it is.

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

ajdelange

Recipes 

The better the scale the more accurate your weighings, of course but I don't really have a number that says how accurate you ought to be. I've been called an "accuracy freak" both in the lab and at the rifle range so you can probably guess what I use - an analytical balance that reads to 0.1 mg. I use that for experimentation as well as brewing. In no way is that level of accuracy required for measuring out brewing salts.

There are ways to increase accuracy. With a scale that reads to 1 gram precision if you need 2.5 grams of something you have the choice of weighing out salt until the scale reads 2 or 3 and you could clearly be off half a gram or more. In such a case you could weigh out 10 grams of the salt, dissolve in 100 mL of water (measured accurately) and then add 25 mL of the liquid. Or 20 grams in 200 mL etc. The larger the mass of the salt you weigh relative to the scales precision the less error. Salts are cheap.

Scales: I have noticed over the year that many homebrewers like not only to fill glass bottles with beer but little brass bottles with powder and bullets [Edit: and I see you are one of them]. Reloading scales are pretty accurate and relatively inexpensive so I often suggest those. You'll have to convert grains to grams though.

Snafu

Recipes 

Just did a quick search on ebay, funny how most of the scales that read 0.01 g look like drug paraphernalia (cigarette packs, lighters, ashtrays, medicine boxes) good grief I'm a brewer, not a drug dealer!

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

Snafu

Recipes 

0.1 mg?? good lord man! I guess you hold your breath as to not breath on the tray?...lol

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

ajdelange

Recipes 

I kid thee not I read a book on homebrewing years ago in which the author recommended police auctions as a good place to get used scales.

You can breathe but you cannot move around. The pan is inside a little glass house with sliding doors on top and sides. The balance also sits on a slab of granite (the piece leftover when they cut out the hole for the sink in a granite counter top) which in turn sits on soft rubber feet. Even so you must stand dead still when doing a reading.

mabrungard

Recipes 

I find that the ability to measure to 0.1 gram is quite accurate enough when dealing with the typical 5 gallon batch amounts.

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Martin Brungard, P.E. D.WRE
Carmel, IN
BJCP National
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)
Brewing Water Information at:
https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/

josephus23

Recipes 

I have 3 Ohaus triple beam balances thatI'd be happy to sell. They have a max of 310 grams. If your looking digital for sub-gram measurements try the Ohaus Scout or Scout Pro. You can get them for about 30-40 dollars on eBay.

ajf

Recipes 

I use http://www.americanweigh.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=290
Works fine, but I have to replace the batteries every year or so.

-a.

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There are only 10 types of people in this world. Those that understand binary, and those that don't.