Why a Digital Gram Scale for Homebrewing?

Homebrewers are generally weighing things in two categories.  Moderately large amounts of things – like grain – and smaller amounts of things – like hops and water salts.  Although weighing both types of things involve a scale, they are really wildly different activities.

An accurate gram scale is great for weighing smaller amounts of things like hops, water salts and smaller amounts of other ingredients.

Features to Look for in a Homebrewing Gram Scale

• Digital readout – most scales are digital now, so this one should not be a problem
• The Tare Feature – Tare allows you to subtract the weight of the container you’re using to get a true weight of the contents.  Add your empty container to the scale and press the tare button.  This zeros out the scale.  Now add the thing you’re weighing and the scale displays just the weight of the contents of your container.  In my opinion the tare function is essential for any good homebrewing scale.
• Precision – Look for a minimum of 1/10th gram precision (Example – 1.1 grams) if you’re wanting to weigh hops.  Look for a minimum of 1/100th gram precision (Example. 1.11 grams) if you’re wanting to weigh water salts.
• Capacity – Higher precision and accuracy generally equate to lower capacity.  That’s okay, just understand what capacity you’re buying.  100 grams = about 3.52 ounces.

Hands on Review: American Weigh Model AWS-100 Digital Gram Scale

This scale has 1/100th gram resolution making it great for accurately weighing hops, small amounts of specialty grains and water salts.  It has a 100 gram (3.52 ounce) capacity.

The front of the box.  Reads: Hundredth of a gram accuracy (0.01 g), 100g Maximum Capacity, Flip-Open Protective Cover, Includes two AAA, 10 Year Warranty.

Check Prices, Review Continues Below:

• Series Digital Pocket Weight Scale, Stainless-Steel Backlit LCD 100g x 0.01g, (Black), AWS-100-Black – AMERICAN WEIGH SCALES – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
• Scale + Calibration Weight: American Weigh Scales 100G X 0.01G Digital Scale, With Seaside 100 G Stainless Steel Calibration Weight – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Series Digital Pocket Weight Scale, Stainless-Steel Backlit LCD 100g x 0.01g, (Black), AWS-100-Black - AMERICAN WEIGH SCALES

• PREMIUM QUALITY: Renowned as the leading manufacturer of digital scales, American Weigh Scales excels in precision innovation. With numerous models designated as Amazon’s choice, rest assured, we've got you covered for all your weighing requirements. Purchase confidently, backed by our ten-year warranty, ensuring long-term peace of mind.
• POCKET SIZED: The unique AWS-100 pocket scale is designed to be robust, long-lasting, and conveniently pocket-sized, catering to a wide range of portable weighing needs, including food, tablets, powder, gemstones, coins, jewelry, gold, or silver.
• ACCURACY: The AWS-100 scale boasts a 100g x 0.01g capacity, ensuring precision with every weigh-in. This scale is equipped with high-precision sensors for precise weight readings. Moreover, the protective cover serves as a practical weighing tray, enhancing the scale's versatility.
• MEASUREMENTS: It measures in grams, ounces, carats, and grains, making it versatile for various applications, from weighing gold and medication to cooking ingredients. Additionally, the LCD display changes color seamlessly as you switch between different weighing modes.
• TARE FUNCTION: Simplify weighing tasks with the convenient tare function, allowing for the measurement of items within containers or on weighing pans. Simply place your container or pan on the scale, press the tare button, and add your items for accurate measurement.

$16.99 ($16.99 / Count)

American Weigh Scales 100G X 0.01G Digital Scale, With Seaside 100 G Stainless Steel Calibration Weight

• Weighs up to 100 grams in 0.01 gram increments. Units of measure include gram, ounce, carat and grain
• Backlit LCD display helps make the numbers viewable and easy to read
• Flip-open lid protects the delicate weighing surface and includes basic instructions
• Backed by a powerful 10 year warranty, runs on 2 AAA batteries (included)
• Easy recalibration with included 100g American Weigh calibration weight, ensuring accurate readings at all times

Note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at these links

This article contains affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Homebrew Finds and more content like this. Thank you for your support!

Side of the box.  Reads: Capacity 100 g, Readability .01g, Power Two AAA, Platform Size 2.5 x 3″, Auto Off 60 Seconds No Activity.Front of the scale when closed.  The protective cover is a nice feature.  You don’t want to store a scale with any weight or pressure on the platform.  The built in cover keeps that from happening.Back of the scaleFront of the scale when openClose up of the inside of the protective lid built into the AWS-100.  This includes a handy Quick User Guide.  Click the picture above to zoom.

Calibrating the American Weigh Scale AWS-100

I purchased this 100 gram Calibration weight at the same time I got the AWS-100 – search Amazon for “100 gram calibration weight”.  It’s worth picking up one of these.  You’ll see why next.
The 100 gram weight reads 100.12 grams.  The manual states that “calibration and adjustment are performed at the factory.  However, the weighing range can shift slightly during shipping”.  If the scale is weighing within an acceptable tolerance the scale should be left alone.  If it is outside of tolerance, it should be calibrated.  The manual says that the tolerance for this scale is .02 grams.  .12 is 6 times acceptable tolerance.  Calibration is required.To calibrate you hold the mode button until CAL appears on the screen.  Press Mode again and it prompts you to put a 100 gram calibration weight on the platformPut the weight on and the… wait 🙂 and the scale will pop up pass.  I’m guessing it calibrates itself using the weight and then re-tests the weight to ensure that it’s within tolerance.  If it is… whammo… pass.Reads 100.01 with a 100 gram calibration weightThis is a different 100 gram weight.  It reads right at 100.

American Weigh Scale AWS-100 Accuracy Tests

A note on accuracy: I don’t have lab quality weights.  Slight variances in accuracy tests could be a reflection of either the scale or the weight or both.  My guess is both are generally to blame.  If 1/100th (one one-hundredth) of a gram is an issue for what you’re doing… you’re going to need a lab quality scale.

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Reads 50.01 with a 50 gram calibration weightReads 20.00 with a 20 gram calibration weightReads 10.00 with a 10 gram calibration weightReads 2.01 with a 2 gram calibration weightReads 1 with a 1 gram calibration weightReads .50 with a 500 milligram calibration weightReads .21 with a 200 milligram calibration weightReads .11 with a 100 milligram calibration weight.  Getting a reading on this light of a weight verifies that this scale is good for both hops and water salts.  It’s not really necessary (at least in my book) to get down to tenths of a gram for hops (although it’s nice to be able to do).  It is necessary to get down to this range for water salts.Weighing 28 grams (about one ounce) of calibration weights using the AWS-100.  Hops and water salts are a couple of things that I like to weigh in metric.  The other is… yeast starter wort.  That is very easy to formulate using liters and grams.  1 liter of water goes with 100 grams  DME.  If you need a .5 liter starter it would be .5 liter of water + 50 grams of DME.Tip: a US Nickel is right at 5 grams

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For size reference… next to a 3 piece airlockSize reference… next to the RSG-100ATC Dual Scale Refractometer

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The Tare Feature, Illustrated

Weighing a stainless sample cup – search Amazon for “2.5 ounce stainless steel ramekin” – (part of my Brew Day Box).  This is a good example of the beauty of the Tare Feature.  Notice that the scale reads 39.45 grams.A press of the Tare button effectively zeroes out the scale.Because the container is subtracted, I’m weighing just the contents.  That means I have 35.22 grams of Amarillo hops here.One thing I have wondered is… Can you weigh more than the capacity of a scale using the Tare Feature.  The answer, at least for this scale, is yes.  I put a 100 gram weight on the scale, Tared it and then put a 50 gram weight on the scale.

Conclusions

I’ve owned this since December 2014.  I can tell you that it is a great scale for homebrew use.  It had the features I was looking for in a gram scale including tare and 1/100th gram precision.  It has proven to be accurate and has held up over time.  If you’re looking for a hops and water salts scale, the AWS-100 deserves a hard look. Beyond using these for water salts and hops, I use it nearly every day for coffee. After years of use I can confidently recommend this scale to you.

What are Others Saying About the AWS-100?

Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “hops” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Check Prices, Current Specs & Availability:

• Series Digital Pocket Weight Scale, Stainless-Steel Backlit LCD 100g x 0.01g, (Black), AWS-100-Black – AMERICAN WEIGH SCALES – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
• Scale + Calibration Weight: American Weigh Scales 100G X 0.01G Digital Scale, With Seaside 100 G Stainless Steel Calibration Weight – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Series Digital Pocket Weight Scale, Stainless-Steel Backlit LCD 100g x 0.01g, (Black), AWS-100-Black - AMERICAN WEIGH SCALES

• PREMIUM QUALITY: Renowned as the leading manufacturer of digital scales, American Weigh Scales excels in precision innovation. With numerous models designated as Amazon’s choice, rest assured, we've got you covered for all your weighing requirements. Purchase confidently, backed by our ten-year warranty, ensuring long-term peace of mind.
• POCKET SIZED: The unique AWS-100 pocket scale is designed to be robust, long-lasting, and conveniently pocket-sized, catering to a wide range of portable weighing needs, including food, tablets, powder, gemstones, coins, jewelry, gold, or silver.
• ACCURACY: The AWS-100 scale boasts a 100g x 0.01g capacity, ensuring precision with every weigh-in. This scale is equipped with high-precision sensors for precise weight readings. Moreover, the protective cover serves as a practical weighing tray, enhancing the scale's versatility.
• MEASUREMENTS: It measures in grams, ounces, carats, and grains, making it versatile for various applications, from weighing gold and medication to cooking ingredients. Additionally, the LCD display changes color seamlessly as you switch between different weighing modes.
• TARE FUNCTION: Simplify weighing tasks with the convenient tare function, allowing for the measurement of items within containers or on weighing pans. Simply place your container or pan on the scale, press the tare button, and add your items for accurate measurement.

$16.99 ($16.99 / Count)

American Weigh Scales 100G X 0.01G Digital Scale, With Seaside 100 G Stainless Steel Calibration Weight

• Weighs up to 100 grams in 0.01 gram increments. Units of measure include gram, ounce, carat and grain
• Backlit LCD display helps make the numbers viewable and easy to read
• Flip-open lid protects the delicate weighing surface and includes basic instructions
• Backed by a powerful 10 year warranty, runs on 2 AAA batteries (included)
• Easy recalibration with included 100g American Weigh calibration weight, ensuring accurate readings at all times

Note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at these links

Hop Deals!

Related!

• Search Amazon for “100 gram calibration weight”
• Search Amazon for “2.5 ounce stainless steel ramekin”
• Tip: Use Two Scales if You’re an All Grain Brewer
• Water: A Comprehensive Guide for Brewers (Brewing Elements)
• How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time – How to Brew by John Palmer has some great information on the How’s and Why’s of making water adjustments
• For The Love of Hops: The Practical Guide to Aroma, Bitterness and the Culture of Hops
• Looking for a Grain Scale?  Check out the Ultraship-55 – Hands on Review
• LaMotte Water Test Kits – at MoreBeer
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Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd review:aws100gramscale rs:7 tag:tpr