For anyone serious about culinary precision, a reliable kitchen scale isn’t just a gadget; it’s an indispensable partner. In the world of baking and cooking, where exact measurements can make or break a dish, the Oxo Good Grips Kitchen Scale has earned a sterling reputation. Known for its thoughtful design and consistent performance, this scale has become a favorite among home cooks and seasoned chefs alike. Whether you’re portioning ingredients for a delicate soufflé or tracking macros for a healthy lifestyle, understanding the ins and outs of your OXO Good Grips scale can revolutionize your kitchen experience.

What Makes the OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scale a Kitchen Essential?
The OXO Good Grips kitchen scale stands out from the crowd thanks to a combination of innovative features designed for ultimate user convenience and accuracy. It’s more than just a weighing device; it’s engineered to integrate seamlessly into your daily cooking routine.
Thoughtful Design and Key Features
One of the most praised aspects of the OXO Good Grips scale is its pull-out display. This clever design allows you to extend the digital readout away from the base, preventing larger bowls, plates, or ingredients from shadowing the numbers. No more craning your neck or lifting heavy bowls just to see your measurement! This feature, while seemingly simple, addresses a common frustration with many kitchen scales.
Beyond the display, the scale typically offers a generous capacity, with popular models handling up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms). This is ample for most home cooking and baking tasks, from weighing flour for a large bread batch to portioning out meal prep. For those with lighter needs, a 5-pound version is also available. You can easily switch between measurement units—grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds—at the touch of a button, catering to any recipe’s demands, whether it’s a delicate French patisserie recipe or a robust American bake.
Accuracy is paramount, and the OXO Good Grips scales generally measure in precise 1-gram (or 0.1-ounce) increments, ensuring your measurements are consistent. While not designed for micro-measurements of tiny spice pinches, it’s perfectly reliable for the vast majority of kitchen tasks. The tare or “zero” function is another cornerstone feature, allowing you to subtract the weight of your container or successive ingredients, making it effortless to add and weigh multiple items in the same bowl.
Durability and hygiene are also key considerations. Most models feature a removable stainless steel or glass platform that is smudge- and fingerprint-resistant and can be easily wiped clean or, in some cases, hand-washed separately, protecting the electronic components below. The backlit LCD display ensures readability even in dimly lit kitchens, and a handy weight capacity indicator shows how much room you have left before hitting the maximum limit, helping you avoid overfilling.
Choosing the Right OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scale for Your Culinary Needs
With a few variations available, selecting the perfect OXO Good Grips kitchen scale boils down to understanding your specific cooking and baking habits.
Capacity and Lifestyle
Consider the maximum weight you typically need to measure. If you frequently bake large batches of bread, ferment vegetables, or portion significant amounts of meat, the 11-pound (5 kg) capacity model will be your workhorse. For everyday cooking, portion control, or smaller baking projects, the 5-pound (2.5 kg) version might be more than sufficient and often comes at a more accessible price point.
Think about your storage space too. OXO scales are known for their slim profiles, which make them easy to tuck away in a drawer or cabinet. The choice between a stainless steel platform or a glass one often comes down to aesthetic preference and how easily you prefer to clean.
Mastering Your OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scale: A User Guide
Getting the most out of your OXO Good Grips kitchen scale is incredibly simple, designed to be intuitive right out of the box.
Basic Setup and Operation
- Insert Batteries: Most OXO scales are powered by AAA batteries, usually included. Locate the battery compartment on the bottom, ensuring the +/- ends align correctly.
- Power On/Off: A single press of the power button typically turns the scale on. It will often display a quick countdown (3-2-1) before showing “0 lb” or “0 kg,” indicating it’s ready. To turn it off manually, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the display goes blank. The scale usually enters a standby mode after 6 minutes of inactivity, retaining memory, and shuts off completely after 30 minutes to conserve battery life.
- Change Units: There’s usually a dedicated unit conversion button (often labeled “lb/kg” or similar) that allows you to cycle through grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds.
- Using the Tare Function: This is where the magic happens!
- Place an empty container on the scale. The display will show its weight.
- Press the “Zero” or “Tare” button. The display will reset to zero.
- Add your first ingredient, and its weight will be shown.
- To add another ingredient to the same bowl, press the “Zero” button again. The display will once more return to zero, ready for your next measurement. This allows for precise “add and weigh” measuring without complex math.
Tips for Accurate Measurements
- Stable Surface: Always place your scale on a flat, stable surface to ensure consistent and accurate readings.
- Centered Weight: Try to place items in the center of the weighing platform for the most reliable results.
- Mind the Display: If using a very large bowl, remember to pull out the display to prevent obstruction.
- Small Ingredients: While accurate for most tasks, for extremely small quantities (under 1 gram), a specialized micro-scale might be more suitable.
Maintaining Your OXO Good Grips Scale for Lasting Performance
A little care goes a long way in extending the lifespan and accuracy of your OXO Good Grips kitchen scale.
Cleaning and Storage Best Practices
The removable platform is a game-changer for cleaning. Simply lift it off and wipe it down with a damp cloth. For sticky spills, a mild soap solution can be used. Important: Never submerge the main body of the scale in water or put it in a dishwasher, as this can damage the electronic components. The main unit can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Store your scale in a dry place, away from extreme temperatures and humidity. Its slim design makes it ideal for drawer storage, keeping it protected from accidental bumps or spills when not in use. Regularly check and replace batteries when the low battery indicator appears to ensure consistent performance.
Why Home Cooks Adore OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scales
From novice bakers to culinary enthusiasts, the OXO Good Grips kitchen scale consistently receives high marks for its reliability and user-friendly design. “For me, the OXO Good Grips scale truly embodies what a kitchen tool should be: intuitively designed, incredibly reliable, and built to make cooking easier,” says Chef Isabella Rossi, a celebrated pastry chef and culinary instructor. “The pull-out display alone is a game-changer for professional and home kitchens alike, eliminating those frustrating moments when a large bowl obscures your critical measurements.”
The ease of the tare function allows for quick and precise ingredient additions, eliminating the need for multiple measuring cups and reducing cleanup. Its robust construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of a busy kitchen, making it a dependable tool for years. Many users report having their OXO scales for over a decade, a testament to their enduring quality.
Frequently Asked Questions About OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scales
Q1: Is the OXO Good Grips kitchen scale accurate enough for baking?
A1: Absolutely! The OXO Good Grips kitchen scale is highly accurate, typically measuring in 1-gram or 1/8-ounce increments, making it perfect for the precise measurements required in baking, ensuring consistent results every time.
Q2: How do I change the units of measurement on my OXO Good Grips scale?
A2: Most OXO Good Grips kitchen scales feature a dedicated “Unit” or “lb/kg” button. Simply press this button to cycle through available units like grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds until you reach your desired setting.
Q3: Can I weigh multiple ingredients in the same bowl with this scale?
A3: Yes, the OXO Good Grips kitchen scale comes with a convenient “Tare” or “Zero” function. You can place your bowl on the scale, press the “Tare” button to reset it to zero, add your first ingredient, then press “Tare” again to zero it out before adding the next ingredient.
Q4: How do I clean my OXO Good Grips kitchen scale?
A4: The removable stainless steel or glass platform can be easily detached and wiped clean with a damp cloth. The main body of the scale should also be wiped clean with a damp cloth, but never submerged in water or put in a dishwasher to protect the electronics.
Q5: What is the purpose of the pull-out display feature?
A5: The innovative pull-out display allows you to extend the screen away from the scale’s base. This prevents large bowls, plates, or other containers from blocking your view of the digital readout, ensuring you can always see your measurements clearly.
Q6: What is the maximum capacity of the OXO Good Grips kitchen scale?
A6: Many popular OXO Good Grips kitchen scales, particularly the stainless steel models, have an 11-pound (5-kilogram) capacity, which is suitable for a wide range of cooking and baking tasks. Smaller 5-pound models are also available.
Final Thoughts: Invest in Precision with OXO Good Grips
In the dynamic world of culinary arts, having the right tools can make all the difference. The OXO Good Grips kitchen scale stands as a testament to thoughtful design, robust functionality, and enduring reliability. Its intuitive operation, combined with features like the crucial pull-out display and precise tare function, simplifies complex measurements and empowers you to cook and bake with newfound confidence. By investing in an OXO Good Grips kitchen scale, you’re not just buying a tool; you’re embracing a more accurate, efficient, and enjoyable cooking journey. So, go ahead, measure with precision, create with passion, and truly elevate your kitchen game!