I bought an inexpensive ($25) scale from Amazon 2 years back and now I'm wondering how accurate it is. It will measure down to grams, but not a tenth of a gram. I wonder if there is a way to calibrate these scales. I checked with the company who makes the scale and their web site is pretty ugly, no help there it would seem.
So maybe I should try a better scale? Not sure what to do. I am suspicious this scale is off based on a measurement I did of a guitar slide that weighed much less than it should have. I was told that the weight of this stainless steel slide was very accurate from the manufacturer. Maybe I am getting too anal about this, but I don't want all my measurements to be 10% off... could cause a problem with baking.
Any suggestions?
http://weightloss-slim.fit/node/34229/test-digital-scale-calibration-coins%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETo test a digital scale if you don't have a special calibration weight you can use coins: (Make sure to use new, shiny coins. Worn coins will weigh less).
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A U.S. nickel (5-cent coin for non-Americans) weighs exactly 5.00 grams and a U.S. cent (since 1983) weighs exactly 2.50 grams.
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U.S. Cents 1981 and before weigh 3.11 grams. (In 1982 solid bronze U.S. cents were replaced with copper plated zinc U.S. cents. In 1982 both metal types of U.S. cents were made.)
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Here is the U.S. Mint web page on coin specifications. Cent through dollar coin weight in grams:
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/?action=coin_specifications
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Cent (since 1983) - 2.500 g
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Nickel (since 1866) - 5.000 g
Canadian coins are lighter. A Canadian 5-cent coin weighs 3.95 grams since 2000. A Canadian 1-cent coin weights 2.35 grams since 2000. Before 2000 coin weights changed several times due to changes in metal content.
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If you live in another country, check out your government mint web site or coin collectors web sites for gram weights of your local coins.
If all your measurements are 10% off, the final loaf will be scaled 10% high (or low), it's not a problem as long as the ingredient ratios are constant.
My scale only measures in ounces, down to .1 oz.
Been using it for 4+ years. Never have I felt the scale was a critical factor in the outcome.
Wouldn't worry about it at all.