Heston Blumenthal Precision by Salter 1049A HBBKDR Digital Kitchen Scale – Dual Electronic Baking Scale, Large 10kg Platform, Small 200g Precision Platform, Add & Weigh Tare Function, Stainless Steel

We would like to think that we know quite a bit about kitchen scales in our household. We have certainly been through enough of them. Firstly, most modern scales seem pretty accurate on the weighing side of things (which is clearly what they are designed to do and so a bit obvious I guess). I think that the technology nowadays with digital measuring is kinda more than good enough for domestic usage. So that's the boring bit done with. Most scales we have had, thrown away, or which stopped working, were unusable etc all had plenty of design elements that either irritated or actually even annoyed. In most cases the display is too small, or not with sufficient contrast to read easily under kitchen lighting. Then often the display gets completely hidden by your food/container when placed on the scales! Another annoyance oft encountered is the insistence of many scales to decide they have been on for long enough and take it upon themselves to switch off! Very frustrating if the auto-switch-off is too keen. Then there are those scales which have so few buttons that you have to go through the same succession of repeated button-presses every time you use them. I could go on (and quite often do!)... Now, let's talk about the Heston Blumenthal Dual Platform Precision Scales: THEY ARE BRILLIANT! Well, I hope that has helped any prospective purchasers make their decision. Kind regards Mr Tester. Oh, you want more information? Okay, does this help: 1) Build and overall quality 10/10. These scales are simply beautiful in their design. They are elegant and I would imagine will spend pretty much all their life out on your kitchen worktop. Any nosy neighbours who pop round to borrow a cup of sugar will shrivel up in jealousy the moment they espy your beautiful scales. When they ask to borrow them too just tell them to go away and get their own sugar and scales. The build quality is top-notch with stainless steel surfaces. 2) Design 10/10. If anyone out there can design a better kitchen scale then you should be in manufacturing now. These scales have been so well thought out. The secondary smaller weighing platform may seem overkill but it isn't - it's a handy extra that you will almost certainly use at times. The main thing about the design is that you can pop a dish, plate, bowl, or even a bag of haggis-bits -- and you will still be able to clearly see the display. What more could a simple man (or woman) want eh? Sheer genius in my opinion that someone has designed some scales that are actually readable when weighing food!! Probably being a bit overly sarcastic here but hopefully you get my point. 3) Display 10/10. Actually - 15/10. What a stunning display. Large (very large) main readout and the type of LCD they have used is sort of reversed with pale numbers against a dark background. The bottom line is that they are wonderfully readable in pretty much any situation (haven't tried them when scuba diving as yet though). My wife's days of peering to see stupid small LCD readouts are a thing of the past. Heston has nailed it with this display. A total winner and this type of display ought to be made a legal requirement by the EU I reckon. You will not be disappointed. Apart from the stunning display the information is quick and logical to access. Very very good indeed. 4) Value for Money 10/10. They might not be the cheapest kitchen scales on Amazon but actually, for what you get I believe they represent very good value for money. Mainly because anyone receiving them will be so chuffed that they will have forgotten about the money the moment they plop a tomato on to weigh. Although arguably completely useless to some purchasers I feel I have to even mention the box they come in. I never thought I would rave about a box that a gadget comes in but this one is special. It more befits an item of jewellery. The box is unbelievably well made. If you want to keep you scales in their box then every time you put them away you'll have a 'special moment'. We keep our scales out all the time but, if you are in that situation, then the box is so lovely that I am sure you could find another use for it... please send suggestions to the address below! It's strange but the moment you get your hands on Heston's scales you know you have something special as the box is, after all, the first tactile experience you get when opening the package. 5) Functionality 10/10. They work, and they work very very well. They do not turn off every time you bend down to scratch your ankle. They are simple and logical in operation. What more could a person want (except for more money and better looks maybe)? You may have gathered that we like our Heston Scales. Yes we do. If you buy them, my humble opinion is that you will like them too. For the forseeable future we do not anticipate looking at any other kitchen scales. Our scale-quest is over. Ended. If you buy them, my humble opinion is that you will not need to look at any other kitchen scales. For those of you who think I am being overly-biased, well okay you may have a point. However, I have only bothered to spend the best part of 30 minutes writing this review because I do like to give credit where credit, I feel, is due. We have literally wasted time, effort, money and food on inferior kitchen scales over the years. This time we have got it right... ...or should I say Heston/Salter have got it right! (Please note that I do not have any association with Heston Blumenthal or Salter, other than that of being a very happy customer). Also, please remember that this is my personal and honest opinion, and ultimately you may have a different experience and thoughts should you consider purchasing the item.

I have now had three sets of these scales, do not be fooled by the name. Yes they are easy to use, yes they are easy to clean, but after a while the main platform fails, and does. It weighs correctly, this has happened on all three sets, Salter do not want to know and at the price they are they are not worth the bother. As I said , the main platform on all of them failed between 6-9 months after purchasing, they have been replaced once, but they will NOT replace again ! The platform shows in ounces 7, but if you want 8 , it won’t register at all, tried in grammes does the same thing…. At nearly £50, you would expect to get them working, you also need to keep the receipt despite them having a 15 year guarantee, this does not work unless you keep the receipt for …you’ve guessed it 15 years ! Who does that !!! The customer service people at Salter ( the ones I have encountered are rude and dismissive. Buy another set… you will not be disappointed…

Slim, accurate, and dead easy to use—ideal for baking Highlights: -> Spot-on for baking — simple to use and quick to weigh ingredients -> Nice and thin, so it slides into a drawer without taking over the kitchen -> Clear, no-faff layout that’s easy to read mid-recipe -> Comes with a smaller precision scale for tiny measurements if you need it (I rarely do) Things to Consider: -> The mini precision unit is very small — handy occasionally, but I don’t use it much -> If you use large mixing bowls, check the platform/display clearance suits your setup

This set of scales are the most expensive scales that i have ever bought but i have to say that they are the best scales i have ever had,the digital display is very clear and having 2 plates for weighing on is so handy,the main plate weighs the larger amounts like flour but the small plate you can weigh up small amounts of spices and herbs,you can measure out fluids and you can use grams or pounds and ounces,you can zero down to add onto a bowel of already weighed items.The scales are really quick and responsive when weighing out lots of items which is what you need when making cakes,i have found these to be one of the most accurate sets of scales i have had for digital. The scales come with batteries in a presentation box which you can store the scales in when not in use,the box has a magnetic catch to so just closes down the box also has a plastic protection plate over the scales to keep the scales clean,the scales are black and stainless steel so are really easy to clean so all in all are of very good quality,they are well worth the money i paid,i would recommend for the kitchen, a must have.