Hey fellow gardeners, I'm excited to share my experience with these digital kitchen scales.
As a gardener, I was skeptical about buying these scales online, especially since I'm not a fan of waiting three months for shipping. But I took a chance and ordered them, and I'm so glad I did!
I think some sellers on AliExpress are reselling these scales, which is why I opted to buy directly from the manufacturer. I'm willing to pay a bit more for products that deliver quickly and without hassle.
So, I found the seller, sent a message, and picked up the scales. The second day, I was bouncing with excitement!. I was thrilled to get my hands on these digital scales and see how they'd work for me.
The packaging and manualIt turns out there are several models of digital scales, including the Digital scale professional-mini, which I have. They differ in color, maximum weight, and precision. My model has a maximum weight of 500g and a precision of 0.01g. I didn't need the maximum weight, as I have kitchen scales for that, but the 0.01g precision is a game-changer for gardening!
What's inside
Inside the box, there's a transparent plastic seal. It's a simple yet genius design that protects the scales from accidental damage. The cardboard box also has a double-thick layer that provides extra protection.
The manual. It's a simple fold-out sheet written in English. I didn't need to decipher any technical jargon, as the description on the manufacturer's website was clear and concise.
But for those who prefer to read the manual, it's a comprehensive guide that covers all the features and functions.
The portable electronic pocket scales are designed for weighing various small loads. Due to their compact size and autonomy, they are used in various areas of human activity (medicine, pharmacies, laboratories, pawnshops, jewelry weighing, etc.).
As a gardener, I can attest that these scales are perfect for measuring seeds, fertilizers, and soil.
Technical specifications:
The maximum weight capacity is 500 grams.
The precision is 0.1 grams.
Weight capacity: 500 grams, accuracy to 0.1 grams.
Units of measurement: grams, ounces, karats, grains.
Automatic calibration.
Automatic shutdown after 30 seconds.
Tare function.
Backlit display.
Overload protection.
The platform is made of stainless steel.
Platform dimensions: 75 x 65mm.
Dimensions (W x D x H): 125 x 75 x 20mm.
The package includes the scales, 2x AAA batteries.
How it works
Just open the lid, press the plastic seal, and you're good to go! Inside the lid, there's a duplicate manual in English, just in case.
These are the scalesI've got to say, the small titanium-colored panel is sleek and smooth - that's the actual weighing surface. On the right, there's a display screen, and below that, three buttons. The central one's the power button, the left one's for units, and the right one? I'm still not entirely sure what it's for.
Operating temperature range: 10-30°C.
Avoid overloading the scales to prevent damage to the mechanism.
When in use, the scales should be at least 50cm away from your smartphone.
For accurate readings, the scales need to be on a flat surface.
I was holding the scales vertically in my hand when I turned them on. The numbers on the display started blinking, which just didn't sit well with me.
Accurate and stylish digital scalesTo measure out tenths of a gram, you need to put the scales on a flat, horizontal surface and place the item you're measuring on the weighing surface. Then, just turn them on (the power button) and you're good to go.
The buttons aren't touch-sensitive - you need to press them firmly to register.
And, of course, the manufacturing: it's China, and the guarantee is six months.
My experience with the scales
By today, I'd accumulated some issues with my plants. My cucumber's got potassium deficiency, my freshly transplanted tomatoes need to be watered with alum, and those spots on my cucumber leaf are just not sitting well with me - they look like spider mites. I've started treating them.
Measuring out ApolloApollo - a pretty pricey and hard-to-find treatment. It's a thick, sweet liquid that you dilute in 5 liters of water, but I don't need five liters of solution, and it feels like a waste to use it all up on just one plant.
Looks like spider mites are eating my cucumber
So, I need to measure out about 0.4 milliliters for one liter of solution. Assuming 1 milliliter is equal to 1 gram, I place an empty plastic bottle from my medication on the scales, add Apollo, and get 0.45 grams. Not bad, I'll just add a bit more water.
Alum. After transplanting my tomatoes, I need to water them with a solution, especially since I'll be twisting their stems into a spiral as they grow. Alum promotes massive root development.
I need that sweet acid for my tomato seedlings to thriveBut here's the thing - it's a real challenge to get the measurements right. According to the instructions, it takes just 2 grams of that sweet acid to mix with 20 liters of water. That means I have to measure out 0.1 grams per liter. I tried using a pill bottle as a makeshift measuring cup, and it's not the most precise thing in the world. I end up with 0.16 grams, which isn't the end of the world. I just top it off with 1.5 liters of water.
Measuring out the acidPotassium phosphate. I'm not as precise with this stuff. It's recommended to use between 7 and 20 grams per 10 liters of water. I measured out 1.37 grams and topped it off to make a liter. Then I'm off to water my cucumbers.
Measuring out potassium phosphate to prevent potassium deficiency in my cucumbersAnd that's how I spent my day - happily feeding and tending to my seedlings.
I highly recommend these super-precise scales to anyone who's into growing their own greens.
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🌺🌺🌺Congratulations to everyone on the arrival of spring! Wishing you all great weather and a fun planting season!🌺🌺🌺