Looking for a cheap .1g resolution weight scale

[urg8rb8]

So I am basically trying to decide between:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5VXN53

and

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ

 

[mabrungard]

I wouldn't go with the jewelers scale. It's capacity is pretty small and you don't need that sort of resolution unless you're brewing 1 gallon batches. I'm concerned that the load cell might be damaged easily if you overload it.

I use a triple-beam Ohaus scale that has 0.1g divisions, but I'm not going to say that I can read it to that precision. I do like the fact that its completely mechanical and it has a capacity in the 1.5 to 2 kg range, but I'm pretty sure that they aren't inexpensive to buy.

 

[VirginiaHops1]

IMHO, consistency is far more important than accuracy.

I agree with this. That's why I use steel measuring spoons for my salts. I'm not really sure I trust these cheap scales to measure .5-1 gram increments but I know the spoons give me the exact same amount every time, even it's not 100% accurate.

 

[urg8rb8]

I wouldn't go with the jewelers scale. It's capacity is pretty small and you don't need that sort of resolution unless you're brewing 1 gallon batches. I'm concerned that the load cell might be damaged easily if you overload it.

I use a triple-beam Ohaus scale that has 0.1g divisions, but I'm not going to say that I can read it to that precision. I do like the fact that its completely mechanical and it has a capacity in the 1.5 to 2 kg range, but I'm pretty sure that they aren't inexpensive to buy.

I'm planning to only use it for weighting out salts. I have another scale to weigh out grain and hops.

 

[Stushimi]

You can go to your local headshop and take a look at scales if you want to get hands on, they'll also have weights you can put on to make sure its 100% accurate before buying. A bit risky having them shipped considering how delicate they can be.

 

[piojo]

So I am basically trying to decide between:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5VXN53
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012LOQUQ

I guess you've already bought it, but if not, the AWS 0.01 g scale looks better. If you aren't measuring less than one gram (or even if you are, but you are able to dump the material in quickly rather than pouring it as a slow stream), a 0.01 g resolution scale is plenty. That's what I use for powders, but as I said, I look forward to buying a scale that doesn't treat slow changes as noise. You can't get a scale like that in this price range unless you count old fashioned balances.

 

[urg8rb8]

I guess you've already bought it, but if not, the AWS 0.01 g scale looks better. If you aren't measuring less than one gram (or even if you are, but you are able to dump the material in quickly rather than pouring it as a slow stream), a 0.01 g resolution scale is plenty. That's what I use for powders, but as I said, I look forward to buying a scale that doesn't treat slow changes as noise. You can't get a scale like that in this price range unless you count old fashioned balances.

Yeah, I ended up getting the AWS with the 100g calibration weight and I should be getting it on Friday. I'll play with it using grains of table salt to see how sensitive it reacts. I doubt I'll ever measure less than one gram, but if I do, I'll just add some other adjunct weight to get the scale into the operational range.

 

[Pkrd]

Love it how amazon links that to a crack pipe, (sorry,"oil burner glass pipe"). You probably can't get a better recommendation than that.

 

[S-Met]

I agree with this. That's why I use steel measuring spoons for my salts. I know the spoons give me the exact same amount every time, even it's not 100% accurate.

Provided thatthe grains remain 99% consistent in size, weight and volume. Weight is more consistent as grain size is ot a factor.

 

[VirginiaHops1]

Provided thatthe grains remain 99% consistent in size, weight and volume. Weight is more consistent as grain size is ot a factor.

I think it's consistent enough. People have been cooking and measuring ingredients that way for a long time. I agree weighing would be more precise but only if your instrument is 100% accurate. I don't care to spend the time or money ensuring it is, so I just use teaspoons for the tiny salt measurements and my cheap scale for grains/hops. To each their own, for those that have their processes that tight and dialed in that it matters measuring the salts so precisely I raise a glass to you.

 

[IslandLizard]

A while ago I bought this (small) 0.01-100 gram scale, a "SKYROKU" Pocket Portable Scale for like $12. It comes with a 100 gram calibration weight and tweezers.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWTAJ66/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It's been working wonderfully, is consistent with readouts, and holds calibration. Excellent for measuring brewing salts and such.
I also use it for diluting my stock 85% Phosphoric Acid down to 10 or 20%.

I use a regular flat, glass top Escali Arti 15 pound kitchen scale* for all my grain and hops, and pretty much everything else, except the puppy now, since he has grown larger than 13 pounds.
There's no need to weigh hops in less than 1 gram increments/precision.
For grain I place a 1-1.5" low profile, round plastic takeout container between the scale and my weighing bucket, so it doesn't obscure the readout. Works like a charm.

* I bought that Arti scale a few years ago for $22 on Groupon, shipped. What is that with Amazon listing these now for 30, 40, 50, 60 bucks and up? Entering Sucker Territory...

 

[urg8rb8]

A while ago I bought this (small) 0.01-100 gram scale, a "SKYROKU" Pocket Portable Scale for like $12. It comes with a 100 gram calibration weight and tweezers.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWTAJ66/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It's been working wonderfully, is consistent with readouts, and holds calibration. Excellent for measuring brewing salts and such.
I also use it for diluting my stock 85% Phosphoric Acid down to 10 or 20%.

I use a regular flat, glass top Escali Arti 15 pound kitchen scale* for all my grain and hops, and pretty much everything else, except the puppy now, since he has grown larger than 13 pounds.
There's no need to weigh hops in less than 1 gram increments/precision.
For grain I place a 1-1.5" low profile, round plastic takeout container between the scale and my weighing bucket, so it doesn't obscure the readout. Works like a charm.

* I bought that scale a few years ago for $22 on Groupon, shipped. What is that with Amazon listing these now for 30, 40, 50, 60 bucks and up? Entering Sucker Territory...

That SKYROKU scale looks exactly like the same AWS one I ordered. Is the SKYROKU a knock off of the AWS? Or does the manufacturer of that scale model make them for different companies?

 

[IslandLizard]

That SKYROKU scale looks exactly like the same AWS one I ordered. Is the SKYROKU a knock off of the AWS? Or does the manufacturer of that scale model make them for different companies?

As with many products coming from China they are either parallel manufacture, rebranded, or knock-offs.

Definitely test it out thoroughly when you receive it. They are still delicate instruments that were mass produced (with a larger or smaller tolerance) and shipped halfway across the world before the postal service bounced them around. It's perhaps a small miracle they work so well at all.

I was happily surprised by how well that little scale works. Beats using the analytical balance in ease of use for those routine measurements, that are fine within 0.1 gram precision. The extra decimal comes in handy, though.

 

[urg8rb8]

As with many products coming from China they are either parallel manufacture, rebranded, or knock-offs.

Definitely test it out thoroughly when you receive it. They are still delicate instruments that were mass produced (with a larger or smaller tolerance) and shipped halfway across the world before the postal service bounced them around. It's perhaps a small miracle they work so well at all.

I was happily surprised by how well that little scale works. Beats using the analytical balance in ease of use for those routine measurements, that are fine within 0.1 gram precision. The extra decimal comes in handy, though.

I can't wait to play with it tomorrow. This is the one I got:

American Weigh Scales 100G X 0.01G Digital Scale, With Seaside 100 G Stainless Steel Calibration Weight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XWEAGRS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[IslandLizard]

I can't wait to play with it tomorrow. This is the one I got:

American Weigh Scales 100G X 0.01G Digital Scale, With Seaside 100 G Stainless Steel Calibration Weight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XWEAGRS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Looks just like mine, except for the brand name. You get a 10 year warranty apparently, not sure about the one I have. But I got tweezers.

You're gonna love it!

 

[urg8rb8]

Looks just like mine, except for the brand name. You get a 10 year warranty apparently, not sure about the one I have. But I got tweezers.

You're gonna love it!

Oh man, I missed out on the tweezers! Lol

 

[piojo]

I think it's consistent enough. People have been cooking and measuring ingredients that way for a long time. I agree weighing would be more precise but only if your instrument is 100% accurate. I don't care to spend the time or money ensuring it is, so I just use teaspoons for the tiny salt measurements and my cheap scale for grains/hops. To each their own, for those that have their processes that tight and dialed in that it matters measuring the salts so precisely I raise a glass to you.

The important thing is that it stays granular. If it compacts and clumps, there can be a massive variation (ha) in how much fits in a spoon. Fluffy powders are even worse (impossible to measure by volume even when new and dry), but I haven't encountered any in the homebrewing arena.

 

[urg8rb8]

I got the scale in the mail. Played around with it using table salt and I am happy with it. Now I can't wait until I brew the next batch!