Digital Scale Recommendation?

[Closet Fermenter]

I’ve been slipping by with an old digital scale. It’s been ok for measuring out grains to nearest pound or ounce. Even getting the nearest ounce is sometimes a little iffy.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good scale with a reasonable price? I’m wanting to be able to make accurate measurements for water adjustments, so looking for good precision.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I bought one of these back in 2017 for measuring water salts and hops and it has been a stellar performer for that. Super precise gram weights.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ME8VI34

Doesn't have the capacity for measuring grain, so I use one of these https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-Digital-Shipping-Postal/dp/B00I9D5IFM/. You could just keep your old scale for that...

Cheers!

 

[MaxStout]

fwiw, I bought one of these back in 2017 for measuring water salts and hops and it has been a stellar performer for that. Super precise gram weights.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ME8VI34

I have that same model for weighing hops and water additions, like it a lot.

For grain I use this. Capacity 11lbs.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good scale with a reasonable price? I’m wanting to be able to make accurate measurements for water adjustments, so looking for good precision.

For water adjustments, I bought a pair /1/ of 50g x 0.001g scales (amazon, specific product has been discontinued) back in 2017 (one in the brew day box, one in the bottling day box) and they have served me well (in spite of some accidental misuse /2/) over the years. Those type of scales are often labeled as "jewelry scales" or "shotgun reloading scales".

For grains (I typically brew 2.5 gal batches), the scale that I use is a generic kitchen scale with 1g/0.1 oz accuracy.

---

1. I use 'mini-cupcake' liners to measure salts. In my experience over the years, each liner is consistent in weight so one can verify the accuracy and precision of the scale just before adding and measuring salts.
2. In a brew day a couple of months ago, attempting to 'tare' the scale in the brew day box with the min-cupcake holder failed. The scale in the bottling day box 'tare'd properly so I used it and the result was a success. +1 for having a 2nd scale.

After that brew day, I disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled the "brew day" scale. Over time, some matter had found its way into the scale. My guess is that "the matter" was from some NaCl additions - as my NaCl additions use a "sea salt' that comes in a grinder.

 

[Climb]

Let me apologize in advance for getting on my soap box.

I often see posts on HBT that give me the impression that the difference between precision and accuracy isn't clearly understood. With instruments, precision often refers to how many digits to the right of the decimal point can be displayed. Note that this isn't the true definition of precision, but that's a conversation for another day. Accuracy tells you how close a measurement comes to the true value of what is being measured. For this application accuracy is really more important than precision and precision should always be equal to or less than accuracy in well designed instruments. For this application, a scale with an accuracy of 0.01 grams and a precision equal to or less than that would be very nice.

In an attempt to add some value to Closet Fermenter's buying decision, the Smart Weight scale linked to by day_trippr has a precision of 0.01 grams and list a "readout accuracy of 0.01 Grams" as well. This scale comes from a Chinese company, which I don't have issues with, other than the potential language barrier in communication of specifications in the product listing on Amazon. I am guessing that what is listed as readout accuracy is really precision and an accuracy specification isn't provided. I am not saying this is a bad scale or that it isn't appropriate for this application. I am saying that we don't know if it is or isn't and that there are specification deficiencies in the product listing and that without knowing the accuracy, you don't know what you are getting or paying for.

Rant over.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I went through a few digital scales for hops and grain before I went to analog and couldn't be happier with the accuracy. Budget friendly digital scales, although claim to be accurate, lack the ability to actually count tenths, hundredths, and so on. Instead, they'll jump from .02 to .04, or .2 to .4, never hitting that third of an ounce. It becomes a guessing game for accuracy.

The only digital scale I use is for the little things. This guy has been pretty reliable for that.

For grains, I use this one. I tare it to my grain bucket and go to town. It also comes in higher weights in case you need more than a 20 lb grain bill.

I use this one for hops. I like how it's easily tared on the front for different containers. I'll also use it for specialty grains, adjuncts, etc.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Budget friendly digital scales, although claim to be accurate, lack the ability to actually count tenths, hundredths, and so on. Instead, they'll jump from .02 to .04, or .2 to .4, never hitting that third of an ounce. It becomes a guessing game for accuracy.

In my experience (see above), scales labeled as "jewelry scales" or "shotgun reloading scales" do not have this problem. They are able to weight small amounts correctly.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

In my experience (see above), scales labeled as "jewelry scales" or "shotgun reloading scales" do not have this problem. They are able to weight small amounts correctly.

Good to know. Thank you for that.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

Let me apologize in advance for getting on my soap box.

I often see posts on HBT that give me the impression that the difference between precision and accuracy isn't clearly understood. With instruments, precision often refers to how many digits to the right of the decimal point can be displayed. Note that this isn't the true definition of precision, but that's a conversation for another day. Accuracy tells you how close a measurement comes to the true value of what is being measured. For this application accuracy is really more important than precision and precision should always be equal to or less than accuracy in well designed instruments. For this application, a scale with an accuracy of 0.01 grams and a precision equal to or less than that would be very nice.

In an attempt to add some value to Closet Fermenter's buying decision, the Smart Weight scale linked to by day_trippr has a precision of 0.01 grams and list a "readout accuracy of 0.01 Grams" as well. This scale comes from a Chinese company, which I don't have issues with, other than the potential language barrier in communication of specifications in the product listing on Amazon. I am guessing that what is listed as readout accuracy is really precision and an accuracy specification isn't provided. I am not saying this is a bad scale or that it isn't appropriate for this application. I am saying that we don't know if it is or isn't and that there are specification deficiencies in the product listing and that without knowing the accuracy, you don't know what you are getting or paying for.

Rant over.

No apologies necessary; I have seen the same. I do know the difference between accuracy and precision, and I tried to frame my question to reflect that.
Of course accuracy matters, otherwise you’re just wasting your efforts. The recipe I am wanting to try expresses the water additions in hundredths of grams, ( ie 0.86 grams epsom salt), therefore I need precision. The scale I have now does tenths of ounces and even grams; okay for weighing out grain, but woefully inadequate for the water additions.
Maybe I should have asked just how finely folks are measuring these additions.

 

[fluketamer]

i got a digital pocket scale down at the local weed store years ago for like 20$. the one that they use to measure out nickel bags. (huh i guess that shows how old i am.) apparently the accuracy needed for weed is similar to that for hops. it works great with a dixie cup to hold the hops.

0 .1 g accuracy . i guess pot heads dont care about +/- .1 g

 

[Yesfan]

At the time of my purchase, I paid just under $100 for all three of my scales from Northern Brewer, with this package here.

NB Triple Scale Package

That saves you about $10 vs buying them individually. The large scale is the same as Anvil's, but Anvil's is $7 higher. The smaller scales in the above package are essentially the same as these two from Amazon.

GDealer Scale For Hops

Weigh Gram Scale For Brewing Salts

So if you wanted to save a bit more (and don't care about any company logos), you can buy the large scale from NB, and the two smaller scales from Amazon for about $10 cheaper than the triple scale package.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Maybe I should have asked just how finely folks are measuring these additions.

With my 2.5 gal batches, I occasionally have ingredient additions of 0.25 g or 0.1 g. Most salt additions are around 1.0 g.

I have a 50/0.01 scale that doesn't work for these small weights.

A jewelry scale (50/0.001) does work with these small weights.

 

[Spartan1979]

I use this scale for my water additions. I occasionally test it with a calibration weight and ti's accurate.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003STEIYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Yesfan]

........Maybe I should have asked just how finely folks are measuring these additions.

I usually round up or down to the nearest 1/2g with salts. I doubt that even matters, but I do it anyways. I agree about the difference between precision and accuracy, but I really don't think a difference of a hundredths of a gram is going to matter in 5 gallons of beer.

 

[AlexKay]

Just to be difficult … precision is what matters!

I think most home brewers should be striving for reproducibility in their process and their recipes. Arguably it doesn’t matter that much whether you have 70 or 90 ppm of sulfate in your water, or 23 vs. 28 IBUs. What’s important is that if you made a beer you like, you can go back and make that same beer again (or reliably make alterations to the recipe.)

Accuracy is arguably of limited usefulness in a lot of cases! Even if you and I use exactly the same ingredients and same quantities, we won’t get the same beer unless our brewing processes are really, really close. And we’re doing the same batch size.

Exception for temperature measurements. Those need to be accurate.

 

[MaxStout]

 

[AlexKay]

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Digital scales are a re-occurring topic.

Reply #20-ish seems like a good time to push aside the ranting and meme-ing for a moment to re-summarize the re-occuring topic.

• Jewelry scales (often listed as 50/0.001g) are the tool to weigh small (0.25 g) amounts.
• There are some 50g/0.01g scales that are not consistent in this weight range.
• In previous topics, there were posts that stated that some brands (50/0.01g) are documented as not working with small amounts.
• Jewelry (50/0.001g) scales are useful when with some 'water' additions (e.g. BrewTan-B, NaCl) in 2.5 gal batches.
• Jewelry (50/0.001g) scales are probably essential when brewing 1.25 or 1.0 gal batches

 

[Dland]

For all but the smallest water chemical additions, refrigerant scales work well for larger batches.

This scale is precise, durable and accurate, at around $200 new, maybe not the most affordable. I bought mine used when I was dabbling in refrigeration repair, but makes for a great brewing scale. Measures 2 grams to 110#.

https://www.tequipment.net/TIF/9010A/Charging-Scale/

 

[Willy]

Well I learned a lesson on scales a few batches ago. I made the mistake of measuring out some very dark grains (I needed a few ounces) on my larger mail scale and must have slightly touched the bucket (tare weight messed up) and ended up with an SRM of about 25-28 but I was expecting 14. D'oh. Tastes good, but I consider it a failed batch due to color malfunction.

Lesson learned? You need two scales. One that can do the base malts, use the postal scale - 2 lbs - 20 lbs, measure each malt separately and dump into the batch bucket. For the caromalts and roasted - using small amounts - use the little kitchen scale.

I try to make it as precise and accurate and also know human error is the weak link in the chain. At least for me.

 

[Yesfan]

Well I learned a lesson on scales a few batches ago. I made the mistake of measuring out some very dark grains (I needed a few ounces) on my larger mail scale and must have slightly touched the bucket (tare weight messed up) and ended up with an SRM of about 25-28 but I was expecting 14. D'oh. Tastes good, but I consider it a failed batch due to color malfunction.

Lesson learned? You need two scales. One that can do the base malts, use the postal scale - 2 lbs - 20 lbs, measure each malt separately and dump into the batch bucket. For the caromalts and roasted - using small amounts - use the little kitchen scale.

I try to make it as precise and accurate and also know human error is the weak link in the chain. At least for me.

I've done that. If the grain addition is less than 2lbs, I'll use the same scale that I use for hops.

 

[MaxStout]

I might add that a small set of calibration weights is a good investment, to check your scale's accuracy from time to time.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

USA coins are another source of items with a standard weight.

 

[AlexKay]

I might add that a small set of calibration weights is a good investment, to check your scale's accuracy from time to time.

Just browsing (and with no first-hand experience about buying standards off of Amazon), I’d suggest these instead. More expensive and look almost identical, but this product gives a reasonable specification as to the accuracy.

That’s if you care about accuracy. For precision, the calibration weight could weigh anything, and will still keep your scale from drifting over time. (In either case, handle the weight carefully.)

 

[AlexKay]

This thread prompted me to blow $20 on this reloading scale, which is 100 g/0.001 g (there is also a 50 g/0.001 g scale for $2 cheaper, but why?)

I just opened it up and weighed out some salts, and it is really quite nice. I particularly like the built-in dot level and adjustable feet. And the lid.

 

[kevin58]

Before I packed away my ammo reloading equipment I used the same scale I used for measuring out propellant similar to this one: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1026130895?pid=121740

Now I use this purchased from my LHBS: https://www.hopcraftsupply.com/prod...-specialty-grains?_pos=4&_sid=a4ba64245&_ss=r