Lesson 05Junior Bakers, ages 7 to 107 minmeasuring

Using a Kitchen Scale

Learn why bakers weigh ingredients, how grams work and how to press tare to zero the scale between ingredients.

Using a Kitchen Scale

A kitchen scale weighs ingredients, so the amount is the same every time. It is the most exact way to measure. In this lesson you will weigh in grams and use the tare button.

You will learn

  • What grams are
  • How to use the tare button
  • Why many bakers weigh instead of using cups

What you need

  • A digital kitchen scale
  • A mixing bowl
  • A spoon
  • Flour and sugar
  • A recipe
  • Your grown-up

Steps

  1. Meet the gramA gram is a small unit of weight. A small paper clip weighs about 1 gram. Recipes write grams as g, so 250 g means 250 grams.
  2. Set up the scaleWash your hands first, and check every ingredient with your grown-up for allergies. Put the scale on a flat, dry counter and turn it on. If it shows oz or lb, which are short for ounces and pounds, press the unit button until you see g.
  3. Tare to zeroSet your empty bowl on the scale and press tare, which is sometimes called zero. The number jumps back to 0, so the scale weighs only what you add.
  4. Add slowlySpoon the ingredient in a little at a time and watch the numbers climb. If you add too much, spoon a little out. No tasting raw flour, because it can carry germs that make people sick.
  5. Tare againPress tare again and add the next ingredient to the same bowl, so there are fewer dishes to wash. Keep the scale away from heat and water.
  6. Know why it worksA cup can hold more or less flour depending on how you fill it. Grams stay the same, so a weighed recipe comes out the same each time.

Grown-up help

Check that the scale reads grams and help with the first tare. If the recipe lists only cups, use the spoon and level method instead.

Try it

Check yourself

1. What does the tare button do?

Show answer

It sets the scale back to 0 so it weighs only what you add next.

2. How do recipes write grams?

Show answer

With the letter g, like 250 g.

3. Why do many bakers weigh flour instead of using cups?

Show answer

A cup can hold more or less flour, but grams are the same every time.