Measuring Your Ingredients This Way Is a Big Mistake, According to Experts

They say that if cooking is an art, baking is a science. Precision is key when measuring ingredients for just about any baked good, but following a recipe to a tee is much more difficult than it looks. We polled the experts for tips on how to achieve better, more consistent baking results, and as it turns out, you’re probably measuring your ingredients the wrong way.

According to Monica Glass, chef and owner of Boston’s forthcoming Verveine Cafe & Bakery, one of the biggest mistakes home bakers can make is using standard measuring cups and spoons or “ just winging it.” Correct ingredient ratios are necessary for achieving the right tastes and textures. Plus, once baked goods go in the oven, you can’t continue to taste and tinker as you would with, say, sauce on the stove.

That’s why Glass recommends investing in a food scale, her favorite being the Escali Primo digital scale, which comes in nine colors and has over 12,000 five-star ratings at Amazon.

Escali Primo Digital Food Scale Multi-Functional Kitchen Scale

The Escali Primo was our top pick during testing. Our testers loved the scale’s small, lightweight design that makes it especially great for kitchens with limited storage space. But the scale checked all of our boxes, including ease of use, legibility of numbers, and accuracy. And at just $25, we think it’s a great value. Best of all, it cleans off in seconds with a quick wipedown. 

Glass isn’t the only one who swears by her kitchen scale. In fact, Justine Doiron — blogger, chef, and author of the forthcoming cookbook Justine Cooks — can’t live without her food scale, either. Doiron says she pulls hers out “every morning” to measure her sourdough starter and “at least 3-5 more times throughout the day, whether that’s to measure oats into a blender for these cookies, or to make sure that my bushel of kale is actually 1.5 pounds.”

If you plan to use yours as often as Doiron does, you may want to opt for a more affordable option that’s easy to replace, if need be. She recommends the Etekcity scale, which she’s been using for the past four years: “Yes, it dies about every 18 months. And yes, my fiancé broke it by putting our dog on it once. But that’s why I buy the affordable brand, right?”

Etekcity Food Scale

We named the Etekcity our favorite lightweight kitchen scale thanks to its durability and superior accuracy. It was never off by more than 0.2 grams during our tests, and we found it easy to store, thanks to its relatively small size (just 7.3 by 5.7 inches). Our testers also appreciated the non-slip pads on the bottom of the scale, which is bound to save you from countertop messes and spills. 

While measuring by weight instead of volume could seem like a rigid way to cook, Glass has had the exact opposite experience since making the switch. “Some people find it too intimidating to use a scale, but I’m proof that using a scale has truly enhanced freedom and creativity in the kitchen,” she says. And as a bonus, using a scale is a great way to cut down on dirty dishes. “It saves me so many measuring cups as I test and develop recipes,” notes Doiron. 

If you’re ready to toss those measuring cups and spoons, snag one of these chef-recommended scales at Amazon, starting at just $12. 

More Amazon Kitchen Scales to Shop:

Ultrean Food Scale

KitchenAid Dual Platform Digital Kitchen and Food Scale

OXO Good Grips Food Scale with Pull-Out Display

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display

Taylor Glass Top Food Scale