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  • 0.1 gram scales?

    I have been searching unsuccessfully for a kitchen scale that will both hold my grouphead and basket, and measure to 0.1 gram. I'm sick of looking and wonder whether I am the first person in the world to want this. I'm happy to stick a little plate on top to hold the grouphead while being able to read the weight, this is what I do now with my unsatisfactory 1.0 gram scale. I calculate I need a platform of at least 12 cm.
    Any hints much appreciated!
    Dawn.

  • #2
    I bought a scale from ebay that is pretty much the same as Market Lane Coffee sell for much, much cheaper. I won't post the link as it will probably get removed due to site policy.

    It comes with a lid that you can turn upside down and sit on the scale it supports a portafilter will - the scale is also small enough to fit on the drip tray under the grouphead.

    I've since upgraded to a Acaia Lunar as I got one for a steal on ebay.

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    • #3
      I use Brewista - not the cheapest, but can be had for a relative bargain, at the right time on ebay.

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      • #4
        https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGBG20...ing=UTF8&psc=1

        This is what you want. American Weigh Station make absolutely the best scales on the world market, hands down!

        What do you REALLY want in a scale?

        You need the scale to be calibrated by the user at any given moment, This scale can do this.
        You need 2 x weights to calibrate it, This comes with 2 x 200g weights.
        You need an AC adapter so you can use power, who wants to change batteries? Even though I've had this scale for 2 years and never changed the batteries once but its nice to have! (Comes with 110v-240v adapter just twist the prongs from American to AU)
        It also supports 500g capacity with 0.01g.
        (You might not think that's enough, however you tare the portafilter off first and then dose and it sets the scales into negative weight, that's how good these scales are!!) Just make sure your portafilter is not over 500g.
        Another way is to dose into a cup first then put into the portafilter - most cafes do this!
        If you accidentally drop a portafilter on any scale it will damage it and throw the calibration out - to avoid this dose into a plastic small cup first but entirely up to the user.
        Oh, Also comes with a bowl and batteries included.

        Read the reviews on Amazon, they're amazing scales and I got mine for less than $40 shipped - Shipping took 3 days from America via Amazon. YMMV.
        Last edited by neofelis; 24 October 2018, 01:47 PM.

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        • #5
          I bought a set of scales of ebay also. About $25 search for coffee scales .1g
          These allow me to sit my PF on diagonally, slim enough to fit on the machine as well.

          I think one of the more important features is speed of returning a weight. These are ok, but if you are aiming at a weight when extracting I need to stop the flow about 5g early (~2 seconds)

          Haven't used more expensive scales, but from the videos it seems they are a bit quicker.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by dsajn View Post
            I have been searching unsuccessfully for a kitchen scale that will both hold my grouphead and basket, and measure to 0.1 gram.
            Sette 270w?

            Sorry, couldnt resist.

            I have a cheap ebay scale, very consistent, the measuring plate is small, maybe 5x5cm?, but I can site the PF including basket on it for the times I used it for that purpose. It was under $10 delivered, and does 0.1g to 1kg. Quite handy for a variety of things.

            There are heaps of options that will do what you need at varying price points.

            Cheers

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            • #7
              Thanks all! I have taken your advice and found what I wanted on ebay.

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              • #8
                An alternative - I bought one of the Tiamo stainless steel dosing cups. I grind into that - it sits nicely on my small eBay scale (about 115gms - tare it out) and allows me to stir the grounds to get rid of clumps and I’d like to think the metal cup reduces static electricity.

                The cups fits the top of my baskets perfectly so I can upend the grounds into the basket without spilling any - no spillage in grinding process either.

                I then use the small scale to measure the shot going into the cup - scales and cup easily fit under the installed portafilter.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by steve7 View Post
                  An alternative - I bought one of the Tiamo stainless steel dosing cups. I grind into that - it sits nicely on my small eBay scale (about 115gms - tare it out) and allows me to stir the grounds to get rid of clumps and I’d like to think the metal cup reduces static electricity.
                  Perfect - was looking at these but couldn't find any reviews. Do you grind into the cup as it sits on the scale? Or weigh the cup and then adjust the quantity?

                  I have a Brewista smart scale 2 coming in a day or two...

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                  • #10
                    I put the Tiamo cup on the scale and tare (zero) it. I then grind into that cup. I have a Quamar Q50 with a timer and it can generally get within a gram of what I want.

                    So I grind into the dosing cup; check the net weight and then give a couple of little bursts to bring it to my desired weight if needed - usually within about 0.2 gram after practice.

                    I haven't tried sitting it on the scale under the grinder - for two reasons:
                    1. There is a stainless steel "prong" for the portafilter to sit on, so the vibration would probably make the scales and cup fall and I suspect the vibration would throw off the weighing.
                    2. I have no quick way of stopping the grinder when the desired weight is reached, without also compromising the weighing process - plus grinds will still come out for a while after the machine stops, so you have to anticipate.

                    Your set-up might be different, but the zero/weigh process works for me.

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                    • #11
                      So I bought the Brewista scale, and also the Tiamo dosing cup. It has been a game changer. I hadn’t realised just how far out my ‘estimates’ were from reality. Coffee experience has soared, its been the cheapest upgrade to my coffee ever...

                      Having said that I have ordered a $15 eBay scale as a back up/second unit (for beach coffee). I won’t be sitting this on my drip tray during the extraction like the Brewista, but I can weigh the cup afterwards. I haven’t seen an alternative to the Tiamo surprisingly so may have to get another. Unless anyone has any DIY hacks involving yoghurt pots etc...

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                      • #12
                        A consistent dose is one of the basic steps toward good espresso.

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                        • #13
                          A Portafilter stand for use on small scales. Shouldn't be too hard to knock one up yourself though. There's some plastic copies floating around also. An enterprising individual could probably use chromed bent rod to achieve a similar shape by following the shape of the edges.

                          Click image for larger version

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                          https://www.artisansmith.com.au/prod...tafilter-stand

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by CafeLotta View Post
                            A Portafilter stand for use on small scales. Shouldn't be too hard to knock one up yourself though.
                            A 3D printer would be handy...

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                            • #15
                              Just don't try tamping while resting it on something 3D printed in the fashion of the item pictured.

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