Consistency is the key component to amazing effing coffee, so if you’re looking for a foolproof method to make an exceptional cup, it’s time to invest in a coffee scale!
We will examine the top coffee scales today because there are many different scales available in the craft coffee market.
What Justifies Using A Coffee Scale?
Blue Bottle Coffee claims that since measuring coffee by grams rather than “coffee scoops” is significantly more accurate, many coffee enthusiasts prefer to use a scale.
• Is it level or is it heaping?
• Is a scoop of ground coffee equivalent to a full bean?
• Compared to yesterday, how dense is your scoop today?
By weighing the coffee by grams as opposed to volume, you eliminate all uncertainty and guarantee that you will use the same quantity of grounds each time. By doing this, you may concentrate on other elements like grind size, water temperature, and extraction time.
How To Pick The Perfect Coffee Scale
Even while a coffee scale might appear rather straightforward on its own, there are a few elements to “weigh” when choosing a scale that will go with your aesthetic. Your scale will come in well if you take into account the following five factors (see what I did there?).
Size
Scales come in sizes ranging from roughly the size of an iPhone 6 to that of a magazine. It’s crucial to choose the proper size for your scale since if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle (for example, if you tend to travel more than the average person), you’ll just end up ignoring it. Choosing a tiny scale to go with your minimalist setup will be crucial if you travel a lot. Here is our list of the best travel coffee makers.
Style
Are you searching for a simple solution to your problem, or are you seeking a statement item to display on your kitchen counter? The styles of scales range from being more utilitarian and simple to appearing to be a work of art.
Precision
Any scale worth purchasing is precise, albeit some won’t display readings that are less than 1 gram. Select a more precise scale if you want to be sure that you have exactly 8.24 grams of coffee. In all honesty, it doesn’t really matter because you’ll usually be measuring in whole grams or ounces.
a battery’s life
In order to conserve battery life, non-coffee scales frequently contain an auto-off mode. If you pour over your coffee, this feature will drive you mad.
If you only brew at home occasionally, you can just skip this section. However, if you brew coffee nonstop, you might want to consider something that gets more use out of each battery or acquire a plugged-in model so you don’t have to worry about batteries at all.
Features unique to
Some scales have extra functions like an integrated timer or no auto-off option so that your scale won’t shut off in the middle of brewing. Coffee grounds won’t creep into the sides of your buttons thanks to scales with touch-sensitive controls.
What Is The Best Coffee Scale Method?
Depending on how you intend to brew and whatever brewer you’re likely to use, you should utilize the scale accordingly.
Utilizing A Traveling Brewer?
Set the brewer on the scale with the filter and tare it if you intend to use a brewer that you can set directly on the scale, such as a Melita or a Chemex. Once you have the desired number of grams of ground coffee, proceed to brew as usual.
producing espresso?
Place the portafilter on the scale, then grind the coffee as usual directly into the filter while monitoring the weight. As usual, smooth, tamp, and brew.
Common Coffee Maker?
Place only the filter on the scale, tare it, then add the necessary quantity of coffee before inserting the entire filter and the coffee into your coffee maker as usual.
The 6 Best Coffee Scales for 2022
We’ve reached the most enjoyable stage of coffee toy shopping: choosing and purchasing one! Check out these and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each to determine if they appeal to you.
Best overall: Hario Drip Scale (With Timer).
Specifications
• 7.4 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches in size
• Maximum weight: 2 kg
• 0.1g increments
• AAA batteries for power
The timer is on.
If the brand name didn’t make it clear, this scale puts us in the category of scales made exclusively for brewing coffee.
You gain from the Hario scale’s particular features, which include touch-sensitive controls, an integrated timer, and an Auto-Off option that doesn’t activate for five minutes. The fact that the Auto-Off feature on this bad boy waits until you manually switch it off after the countdown has started is one of its finest features since it gives you control.
The best value is the CoastLine Digital Pro Pocket Scale.
You don’t have to stop making great coffee when you go home to visit family. The smallest of the bunch, this scale is little wider than an iPhone and portable enough to fit in your pocket.
It includes a brilliant backlit display and is made of stain-free stainless steel. If you choose to go that route, you even get a couple of upscale plastic trays to use for measuring. This scale is quite simple, so if you’re searching for something portable that will work, this is the scale for you.
3. Budget-friendly Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Kitchen Scale
Specifications
• 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches in size
• Weight: between 1g and 5.7kg
• 1g in increments
• Battery power: lithium
• No timer
This little guy might be the one if you’re searching for something with a bit more style than the CoastLine Pocket Scale but that is still compact enough to fit into a drawer. The Ozeri scale is a great choice if you want style and functionality in a single item because it is around the size of an iPad and has a modern appearance.
It’s a fantastic all-arounder since the touch-sensitive buttons make cleaning it simple, the tempered glass structure makes it quite robust, and the stylish reflecting black color makes it easy on the eyes.
4. The lightest stainless steel kitchen scale is the Etekcity Digital Multifunction Scale.
Specifications
• 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches in size
• Weights between 1g and 5kg
• 1g in increments
• AAA batteries for power
• No timer
The Etekcity scale follows fashion trends with its vivid purple backlit display and stainless steel structure, which makes it sturdy and simple to clean. Since it is around the size of an iPad mini, this scale may also be concealed when necessary.
The scale’s nice feature is that it uses AAA batteries, which you almost certainly already have. The fact that this scale isn’t extremely accurate is its main drawback. If you want a very accurate measurement, you have to start at about 2 grams to acquire a weight reading, which is irritating.
5. Best Smart Scale: Acaia Pearl Brewing Scale
Specifications
• 8.1 x 7.6 x 2.6 inches in size
• 0.1g to 2kg in weight range
• 0.1g increments
• Battery type: rechargeable lithium. USB.
The timer is on.
Most people agree that the Acaia Pearl Brewing Scale is the best coffee scale available. There is a lot to appreciate about the Pearl, which is a beautiful square measuring 6.13 inches, for such a small size. This product is high-end in every way. Each Acaia Pearl is handcrafted, calibrated, and equipped with scale technology that would be found in a laboratory. This scale is praised by world-class brewers for a reason, and it can be found in specialty coffee shops all over the world.
Touch-sensitive buttons and a simple, minimalist design make this tiny scale seem terrific. Additionally, it provides astounding accuracy, measuring in both ounces and grams and displaying readings down to 0.1 of a gram. Even the impact of evaporation on the weight of your beverage will be detected.
Additionally, the Pearl has Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to link it to smartphone apps that provide a range of added capabilities. These include writing down your brew recipes, guiding you through challenging brew procedures, and automatically calculating your bean-to-water ratios.
Unfortunately, the scale is extremely expensive, much like everything else about the Pearl, dwarfing everything else we’ve looked at thus far. The Pearl’s lack of waterproofness and spill resistance are further points to be noted.
6. The best timer feature on the Timemore Plus Coffee Scale
Specifications
• 5.9 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches in size
• 0.5g to 2kg in weight range
• 0.1g increments
• Battery type: rechargeable lithium. USB-C
The timer is on.
With a ton of features at less than half the cost of the Acaia, the Timemore could have just as well been our choice for best value.
The Timemore has an improved refresh rate compared to the previous generation and offers precise measurement down to 0.1g, as you would expect from a competent scale. A silicone mat is included to provide a non-slip surface and shield the scale from heat during brewing. There is a straightforward backlit display rather than an LCD screen, which makes it simpler to read even on sunny days.
The autotimer feature is what we like the most. Once it is turned on, the timer will begin when the scale reads 0.5g or more and end when there is no further gain in weight. You may use it to keep your hands free during brewing, which is a great function.
The Finding
The Hario V60 Drip Scale offers so many features that make brewing your morning coffee more enjoyable than ever, despite being one of the priciest options. Although the Acaia Pearl may be a more remarkable scale overall, its cost makes it stand out from the other scales mentioned above. We advise the Hario V60 Drip Scale unless money is not an option for you or you are attracted by the cutting-edge new features offered by the Pearl.
The Hario is a versatile machine for more than just coffee that should satisfy all of your kitchen weighing needs thanks to the extremely accurate timer and scale.
FAQs
Do I Need A Scale For Coffee?
Yes, if you want to brew consistently excellent coffee, you need a coffee scale. You must get your brew ratio just right if you want to perfect your daily cup of coffee. Accuracy is crucial here, and using a coffee scale to take weighted measurements is much more accurate than taking volumetric measurements (using a spoon or the like).
What Is the Purpose of Coffee Weighing?
People weigh their coffee because, depending on the beans and grind size you’re using, the density of coffee grounds can vary significantly, making measures based on volume very incorrect. By using a scale, you can ensure that your brew ratio is accurate every time and that your coffee is precisely balanced.
What Ratio Makes Coffee The Best?
The ideal coffee-to-water ratio is probably between 1:15 and 1:19, with most manuals advising a 1:17 brew ratio. You want to step up your game and invest in a (coffee) scale to get your measurements right and make well-balanced coffee every time.
How Is Espresso Weighed?
Espresso should always be weighed with a coffee scale. Even though you don’t have to buy the most costly scale available, you still need to be sure that it gives accurate readings. Your best bet would be to purchase a scale that is especially made for brewing coffee because certain scales are more precise than others.
Are Pour Over and Drip Coffee Distinct?
Of course, pour over coffee is distinct from drip. Pour over coffee is made with a manual dripper, while drip coffee is made with a standard electric coffee machine.
