The sleek Polder digital scale mixes style, beauty and functionality

When my thirteen-year-old digital scale gave up the ghost in the middle of a bread-making binge, I rushed out to the local hardware store and grabbed a new one.

They didn't have my old brand, but I didn't mind because I know the Polder name, have a few of their other products, and expect good things from them. Plus, it was on sale for $11! That's more than half off.

If you're an avid baker, like me, you may have noticed that more and more chefs today suggest weighing flour and other ingredients for baking, rather than relying on measuring cups. They're right! My breads and other baked goods turn out consistently well when I weigh the ingredients.

Thanks to the Internet, many of us try recipes from all over the globe, which means that quite often we must convert grams to ounces and ounces to grams. The Polder scale makes switching back and forth so easy--just one touch of the on/off button.

I've had my scale about a month now, and I love it, for these reasons:

1. Sleek, slim, flat, stylish design is both functional and beautiful in my kitchen
2. Easy-wipe glass surface (not plastic as one reviewer thought)
3. Square surface is large enough (7.75"x7.75") to hold good-sized bowls
4. Measures up to 11 pounds, and as little 1/10 ounce or 1 gram
5. Tare feature automatically subtracts container weight so you can add and weigh directly into your mixing bowl--Just set the tare to zero again after each addition
6. Easily switch from ounces to grams or grams to ounces with a touch of the On/Off button
7. Nice big LCD readout, which is especially handy for people like me with aging eyes
8. Three AAA batteries included so you can use it right out of the box

First, for accurate readings, make sure all four feet are touching the counter top or table.

In our earthquake-rattled apartment, the floors are uneven, which has caused my kitchen work table to warp. Unless I check that all four tiny feet are touching the table, I can get some wonky readings!

Fortunately, most cooks live in houses with fairly level floors and won't have this problem. But if you're used to living with uneven floors and surfaces as we do here in San Francisco, just know you can remedy the problem in a second. Place the scale on a flat surface so all four feet are touching the table or counter top, and you're good.

Check out the slide show below to see just how easy it is to use this scale.

Here you can see just how easy it is to use the scale and to switch from ounces to grams.

The LCD display is actually much easier to read than my photographs might indicate. Amateur that I am, I could not find lighting that would keep the grayed-out background numbers from showing up in the photographs. In reality, they are quite obscure.

Plus, you can measure right into your mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup. As long as you can see the read-out, almost any firm container will work.

Of course, if you just want to weigh a couple of yams or apples, lay them right on the flat surface.

Have you yet to discover how helpful this tool can be? If you already have one, do share how you use it.

If you haven't purchased one yet, how might it save you time, aggravation and money in the kitchen?

I welcome your thoughts and questions, and thank you for stopping by this page. Happy baking!