how to use a kitchen scale + giveaway

Update 3/24/12: Congratulations Sofia! You are the randomly selected winner! Thanks y’all for entering!

How to use a kitchen scale is pretty easy: turn it on, add a bowl, zero the scale, then fill with your ingredient. Boom. Done.

Why you should use a kitchen scale is a horse of another color.

Let’s start with flour. You should get a kitchen scale almost exclusively for flour.

At your next party, ask ten people to measure out a cup of flour. Not only will you be providing good-natured entertainment for your guests, you will see that everyone measures flour differently. Some people scoop flour into the cup and pack it down, others dip the cup in and shake it until it is full, some people will ask for a knife to level off the top (hint: eat their baked goods!) but the only real way to measure flour correctly is to have a scale.

I put off the purchase of a kitchen scale for way too long because I thought it would be too much work. And that having it next to my measuring cups would suck the fun out of baking. I also grew up in Seattle, and us Americans know what 1 1/2 cups looks like, but 205 grams! What is that? What size of bowl do I even need for that amount?! I don’t KNOW! I had visions of being so lost in the kitchen after the purchase of a scale and that it would turn my world upside down!

I was wrong. I calmed myself down then bought one of the cheapest scales I could find.

You know what I realized – measuring is fun! Did you know that nail polish weighs 53 grams?

Or that this letter is exactly an ounce – who even needs to go to the post office any more?! I dont’ know about you, but I don’t.

I’m not going to tell you how much this bottle weighs. Then you will know how much bourbon should be in there.

Just know the scale is the new way to keep track of if your kids have been sneaking into your secret stash.

First things first. Turn on your scale. Put a container on top.

Press “Tare” or “Zero”. This makes sure your bowl isn’t included in the measuring fun.

Scoop out your flour.

You really don’t need the 1-cup scoop since you don’t even care what a cup should measure. You happen to be making homemade pizza dough and the recipe calls for 500 grams.

Keep measuring out flour until you hit 500 grams. Easy, right?

Bonus! Guess what?! You can win your very own Escali Primo Digital Scale right here on BMUB!

To enter leave a comment on this post and let me know what you would like me to bake next.

I’ll attempt to bake up whatever the winning comment may be and the winner will receive a brand-new scale!

Comments close tomorrow, March 24th at 5 p.m. (EST) and ONE winner will be announced by 7 p.m. (EST). I’ll announce the winner on this post and on Facebook (speaking of which have you “liked” BMUB yet?)

Nitty gritty. Anyone can enter the giveaway, but the winning shipping address must be in the contiguous United States. Have the scale mailed to a friend if you win and live abroad! I want you to get your scale so please leave a valid email address and I will contact the winner to coordinate shipping details. The winner will be randomly selected through blog magic. This giveaway is sponsored by Butter Me Up Brooklyn. One entry (comment) per person please.