Salter 5Kg Platform Scale Review (£25)

Overview

It may sound silly to list a review of a set of Kitchen Scales on a hiking web site but there is method in the madness. In order to count grammes (or ounces) you first of all need a way to do this.

When I bought these scales from Argos I was planning for a typical base pack weight to be below 5Kg and so it seemed ideal to buy some scales that would handle all of this.

The key features for this scale are:

• Add and weigh feature.
  
• Weighs up to 5kg/11lb in 1g/1/8th oz graduations.
  
• Weigh directly on to the platform or use with a bowl.
  
• Clear 9mm display.
  
• Auto switch off.
  
• Auto zero.
  
• Manufacturer's 10 year guarantee.

Indoor Testing

After buying these scales I then proceeded to weigh all of my kit. All of the numbers on this site use these numbers.

The scales are consistent over time and over the full range of weights. I can weigh the individual items in a pack, load the pack and then weight the whole pack and end up with a weight within a gramme or so of what I expect. (Rounding errors would account for the discrepancy).

When used for cooking in the kitchen the scales can be zeroed repeatedly which makes life easy. All you need to do is to place a bowl on the plate, zero the scale, add an ingredient, zero the scale and repeat. Easy!

Early Conclusions

It's a cheap pair of scales that does the job. I've not been too kind to them and they have stood up well and have remained consistent regardless of the surface on which the scales have rested.