Comments: Which do we nag about more – instant-read thermometers or kitchen scales? No matter. You should have both. We use this scale every day.

Weigh items directly on the platform, on a plate, or in a bowl. The scale measures in 1/8-ounce and 1-gram increments and the platform can be removed for cleaning. The zero button offsets the weight of the container or sets the weight back to zero so you can measure additional ingredients as you add them.

One benefit is that the scale is small and flat, so it takes up little room in your kitchen. This could cause a problem, though, if you place a large plate or bowl on top as a weighing platform. What if your plate is so big that it covers the scale's readout? OXO comes to the rescue by making the display detachable, tethered by a 3-inch cable, which almost certainly will allow you to pull the display beyond the edge of the plate so that you can see the weight in question.

The scale has a 5 pound weight limit, which is probably enough for most people in most cases. A weight indicator shows the capacity left on the scale before maximum capacity is reached. But if what you're weighing is a few pounds, and the bowl you are measuring into is a few pounds, you may get an error message. If you routinely cook in large quantity, you might want to consider a 10- or 11-pound scale.

Batteries are included.