In an age where it seems like everything is becoming "smart", from our phones and TVs to our thermostats and doorbells, it‘s no surprise that even our humble kitchen scales are getting an intelligent upgrade. Enter the smart food scale – a device that not only precisely measures ingredients in grams or ounces, but can also connect to an app to track your food intake and nutritional goals. Sounds amazing, right?
Not so fast. While a smart food scale may seem like the ultimate tool for health-conscious home cooks and bakers seeking pinpoint accuracy, the reality is that these high-tech devices come with some significant drawbacks that may make you think twice before shelling out your hard-earned cash. In fact, for most average home cooks, a smart food scale is likely an unnecessary gadget that will end up collecting dust in the back of a cabinet.
As a digital technology expert who has tested and reviewed dozens of smart kitchen gadgets over the years, I‘m here to give you an inside look at why a smart food scale probably isn‘t as intelligent of a purchase as you might think. I‘ll share 7 compelling reasons why you should avoid hopping on the smart scale bandwagon, and stick with the tried-and-true measuring methods that have served home cooks well for generations.
By the end of this deep dive, you‘ll have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of smart food scales, and be armed with the knowledge to make an informed decision about whether one truly deserves a spot in your kitchen. So let‘s jump in and separate the hype from the reality when it comes to these buzzy devices.
Reason #1: You‘ll pay a premium for features you likely don‘t need
One of the biggest reasons to avoid springing for a smart food scale is the hefty price tag attached. While you can find a decent quality traditional food scale for around $20-30, the majority of smart scales will run you $50 or more. And the fancier the features, the higher the cost – with some Bluetooth-enabled scales approaching $100 or more.
But let‘s be real: how many of those bonus features will you actually use on a regular basis? Unless you‘re a hardcore macro-tracker or training for a bodybuilding competition, chances are the ability to sync your scale to an app to log your food isn‘t a make-or-break factor. And extras like built-in food databases and barcode scanning, while nice in theory, are likely not essential for the majority of home cooks.
At the end of the day, all most of us really need a food scale to do is provide accurate measurements – something a basic digital scale can handle just fine at a fraction of the cost. So unless you have a very specific use case in mind, you‘re probably better off saving your money and sticking with a simpler model.
To put the price difference in perspective, here‘s a quick comparison of some popular food scale options:
| Scale Type | Example Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | Ozeri ZK14-S | $12 |
| Digital | Escali Primo | $25 |
| Smart | Etekcity | $50 |
| Smart | Greater Goods | $80 |
*Price data from Amazon.com as of April 2023
As you can see, opting for a smart scale means paying double or even quadruple the price of a standard model. For most home cooks, those extra dollars are likely better spent on high-quality ingredients or other essential kitchen tools.
Reason #2: Most American recipes don‘t use gram measurements
Another factor to consider before investing in a smart food scale is that the vast majority of American recipes – especially those passed down from older generations – use cups, tablespoons and teaspoons as the primary units of measurement for ingredients rather than grams or ounces. In fact, a 2015 study by the International Food Information Council Foundation found that 87% of Americans use cups to measure ingredients when cooking, compared to just 13% who use a food scale.
Switching to a scale that only displays grams or ounces means you‘ll constantly be converting measurements, adding an extra (and annoying) step to your cooking process. And while some smart scales do offer a conversion feature, it‘s often buried in a sub-menu or requires pulling out your phone to use the companion app.
Sure, you could make the argument that measuring by weight is more precise than using volume measurements like cups. And that‘s definitely true to an extent, especially when it comes to tricky recipes like baking that rely on exact ratios. But the reality is, generations of home cooks have made delicious meals and treats using nothing more than humble measuring cups, and you can too.
Unless you plan on exclusively using recipes sourced from British cookbooks or want to create your own ultra-precise formulas, a smart scale likely isn‘t going to revolutionize your cooking. A set of sturdy measuring cups and spoons will serve you just fine.
Reason #3: Constant calibration is required for peak accuracy
One of the big selling points of smart food scales is their ability to measure precise amounts down to the exact gram. But here‘s the thing: even the most high-end smart scale is only as accurate as its calibration. Just like old-fashioned balance scales, digital scales can slowly drift out of calibration with repeated use and time, providing inaccurate readings.
For a smart scale to live up to its precision promises, it needs to be routinely calibrated using a known weight. The process varies by model, but typically involves placing a calibration weight or household object like coins on the scale and manually adjusting the reading.
Some smart scales come with their own calibration weights, but others leave it up to the user to supply their own. And if you forget or don‘t have a suitable weight on hand? Your scale‘s accuracy slowly degrades over time, negating the very reason you shelled out big bucks for a smart model in the first place.
Richard Watson, a consultant for the Scale Manufacturers Association, says even the most advanced digital scales should be calibrated at least every few months to ensure peak performance. "Scales are precise instruments, and their accuracy can be affected by changes in temperature, humidity, air pressure, and even the slightest physical damage. Regular calibration keeps a scale measuring true."
Traditional analog scales and measuring cups, on the other hand, require zero maintenance to continue working as they should. Once you‘ve invested in a quality set, you can count on consistent measurements for years to come – no extra fiddling required.
Reason #4: Cheap smart scales may wildly miss the mark on accuracy
On the flip side, opting for a budget-friendly smart scale comes with its own set of potential headaches. Namely, cheaper models may fail to provide the pinpoint precision you‘d expect from a device brandishing the "smart" label.
The reality is, creating a genuinely accurate smart scale requires high-quality sensors, well-calibrated electronics, and precision-milled weighing platforms – all of which add to the manufacturing costs. To hit a more attractive price point, some brands may cut corners, resulting in a scale that looks the part but falls short on performance.
A 2018 test by Consumer Reports found that several popular low-cost smart scales had accuracy issues, with some displaying readings up to 6 grams off from the true weight. That may not sound like much, but it represents a significant margin of error that can really add up over the course of a recipe.
Inconsistent or unreliable readings can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you‘re relying on your scale to track your food intake or nail a finicky ratio. And in some cases, a cheaply made smart scale may actually be less precise than an analog model a fraction of the price.
The lesson? If you‘re set on buying a smart food scale, be prepared to invest in a high-quality model from a reputable brand. Anything less and you may end up with an unreliable gadget gathering dust in your cupboard.
Reason #5: You miss out on learning useful portion estimating skills
One of the purported perks of owning a smart food scale is the ability to precisely measure your portions, whether you‘re trying to lose weight, hit certain macronutrient targets, or follow a strict eating plan. And it‘s true that being able to weigh your food down to the gram can be helpful in meeting very specific dietary goals.
But here‘s the thing: relying solely on a scale to control your portions means missing out on developing the valuable skill of portion size estimation. Being able to eyeball a balanced and properly portioned plate is an ability that will serve you well for a lifetime of healthy eating, no batteries or Bluetooth required.
Instead of tethering yourself to a scale at every meal, consider using your hand as a quick guide for gauging portion sizes. As a general rule of thumb:
- Your palm = 3-4 oz of protein
- Your fist = 1 cup of veggies or fruit
- Your thumb = 1 tbsp of fats
- Your cupped hand = 1/2 cup of grains or starches
Committing these rough portion guides to heart allows you to effortlessly build a balanced meal anytime, anywhere, without the need for a scale or app. It‘s a flexible, intuitive approach to portion control that becomes second-nature with practice.
Toby Amidor, a registered dietitian and author of The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook, is a big proponent of the hand portion method: "Using your hand to estimate portions is a simple strategy that requires zero equipment and can be used anywhere – at home, dining out, or at a party. While a scale can be useful for certain situations, relying on it too heavily means you don‘t learn how to independently build a balanced plate."
Reason #6: Overreliance on a smart scale can stunt your cooking intuition
Another potential downside of using a smart scale for every kitchen task is that it can actually hinder your ability to cook intuitively. When you rely solely on hyper-precise measurements, you miss out on the opportunity to develop a feel for ingredients and proportions.
With time and practice, an experienced cook can sense when a batter is the right consistency, when a dough has been kneaded enough, or when a sauce needs a pinch more seasoning – no scale required. It‘s a culinary sixth sense honed through trial, error, and trusting your instincts.
Relying too heavily on a smart scale to portion and measure every morsel can deprive you of the chance to cultivate your own cooking intuition. And while precision certainly has its place, being able to confidently cook without a strict recipe or measuring to the milligram is a hallmark of a skilled and resourceful home chef.
Michael Ruhlman, a James Beard Award-winning food writer and cookbook author, is a vocal critic of what he calls "the tyranny of the recipe." In his book Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking, Ruhlman argues that great cooking is about understanding the basic proportions of ingredients, not blindly measuring by rote.
"Cooking is not mere routine or slavish following of a recipe; it‘s about using your senses, paying attention, and making decisions based on what‘s in front of you," Ruhlman writes. "A chef doesn‘t measure; he understands the inherent ratios in a dish and knows how to adjust them to his liking."
In other words, while a smart scale can be a useful tool, it‘s no substitute for developing your own cooking intuition and judgement. And relying too heavily on precise measurements can actually stunt your growth as a cook.
Reason #7: A smart scale won‘t magically make you a better cook
At the end of the day, it‘s crucial to remember that a smart food scale is just a tool – and like any kitchen gadget, it‘s only as useful as the cook wielding it.
A smart scale can give you ultra-precise measurements and track your nutrition down to the macro, but it can‘t teach you proper knife skills, how to tell when a steak is perfectly seared, or the basics of building a flavorful soup. It won‘t magically make you a culinary mastermind or guarantee perfectly delicious results every single time.
The simple truth is, becoming a skilled and confident home cook takes practice, patience, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes far more than it requires high-tech gear. A smart scale can certainly assist in your culinary journey, but it‘s hardly an essential tool for success in the kitchen.
Ina Garten, the beloved cookbook author and TV host, puts it simply: "Cooking isn‘t about using fancy equipment or exotic ingredients – it‘s about techniques. A good knife, a heavy pan, and some basic skills will take you far."
So if you‘re just starting out on your cooking journey or looking to seriously up your game, consider investing in a few high-quality, versatile kitchen tools and perfecting classic techniques before dropping serious cash on a smart scale. Your time and money will likely be much better spent.
The Bottom Line on Smart Food Scales
So there you have it – seven compelling reasons why a smart food scale probably isn‘t the wisest choice for the average home cook. While these app-enabled devices may seem like a shortcut to culinary greatness, the reality is most of us simply don‘t require the features and precision they offer.
For the vast majority of home cooks, classic measuring cups and spoons, plus a little cooking intuition, will more than suffice for consistently churning out delicious, properly-portioned food. These tried-and-true methods have been relied upon for generations – no charging cables or syncing required.
That being said, if you do have a highly specific use case where precise weighing is essential – say, for a strict macro-based diet, ultrascientific recipe testing, or simply to satisfy your inner data nerd – investing in a high-quality smart food scale could be worthwhile. But if you‘re just an average home cook looking to put consistently satisfying meals on the table? You‘re probably better off saving your money and cupboard space.
At the end of the day, a smart scale is no magic bullet to instantly perfecting your cooking skills or optimizing your nutrition. Like anything in the kitchen, it‘s simply a tool – and becoming a great home cook is ultimately about so much more than having the shiniest equipment.
So if you‘ve been mulling a smart scale purchase, consider this your sign to stick to the fundamentals and have confidence in your own culinary capabilities. Your wallet (and your kitchen cabinets) will be glad you did.
