Just got a Pro Coffee Scale, or still making up your mind? In this blog you’ll learn how it works, how to use the auto timer and the flow rate display, and what to do if something doesn’t work the way you expect. Still deciding which scale suits you? Compare all our coffee scales side by side.
Your Pro Coffee Scale at a glance
The Pro Coffee Scale is a proper espresso scale: slim, rechargeable and with an aluminium housing. It weighs to within 0.1 gram, has an auto timer and uses its flow rate display to show you how fast your espresso is running.
| What | Value |
|---|---|
| Weighing range | up to 2 kg |
| Accuracy | 0.1 g |
| Units | grams and ounces |
| Dimensions | 110 × 95 × 20 mm |
| Housing | aluminium |
| Timer | max. 10 minutes |
| Auto shut-off | after 5 minutes of inactivity |
| Charging | via USB-C (5 V, 1 to 2 A) |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C |
In the box: the scale, a silicone mat, a USB-C cable, a 100 g calibration weight and a travel case. Everything comes neatly packed in the travel case.
Which mode should you choose?
The Pro Coffee Scale has two modes: manual mode and auto timer mode. To switch, tap the clock button four times quickly. When the auto timer is on, you’ll see an A on the display.
| What are you doing? | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Making espresso | Manual mode | You’re in control! |
| Making espresso | Auto timer mode | The timer starts by itself when your espresso starts flowing and stops by itself when it stops |
The buttons and the switch
On the left is the clock button (the timer). On the right is the power button, which also tares (sets the scale to zero). On the back you’ll find the USB-C port and an on/off switch.
| Button | Tap once | Tap twice | Tap four times | Press and hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clock (left) | Manual mode: start or pause the timer. Auto timer mode: get ready | Auto timer mode: reset | Switch between manual and auto timer | 2 sec: timer to zero |
| Power (right) | Switch on or tare | Show or hide flow rate | Switch unit (g or oz) | Switch off |
Sound on or off: press and hold the clock button and the power button together for a few seconds.
Why tap four times to switch? So you don’t accidentally change mode or unit while you’re weighing.
On the display you’ll see the time on the left, the flow rate in the middle and the weight on the right. Above them are the A (auto timer on), the speaker icon, the battery and the unit.
Switching on, charging and switching off
First: peel the protective film off the display. There’s a thin film on the display that sits very tightly. You can barely see it, but it can make the display look scratched or damaged. Carefully lift it from a corner with your fingernail. Then set the switch on the side to ON.
Switching on: briefly press the power button.
Switching off: press and hold the power button. If you don’t use it for 5 minutes, it switches off by itself.
Charging:
- Set the switch to ON while charging.
- Use a regular phone charger (5 V, 1 to 2 A). No fast charger.
- Try not to weigh while it’s connected to the charger, as this can affect accuracy.
Where to put it: on a flat, stable surface, with whatever you’re weighing as close to the centre of the platform as possible.
Settings: unit, sound and calibration
Switching unit: tap the power button four times quickly. It switches between grams and ounces.
Sound on or off: press and hold the clock button and the power button together.
Calibrating (with the included 100 g calibration weight): do this if it shows, say, 98 or 99 for a 100 gram weight.
- Switch the scale on with an empty platform.
- Hold the clock button for 6 seconds until you see CAL.
- Press the power button once. You’ll see 100 g flashing.
- Place the calibration weight exactly in the centre.
- You’ll see PASS and the scale returns to normal. Done, it weighs accurately again.
Manual mode (default)
In manual mode you do everything yourself: taring, starting and stopping the timer.
Making espresso in manual mode:
- Place your dosing cup or portafilter on the scale and press the power button to tare.
- Weigh out your ground coffee (our basic recipe: 18 g, made for an 18 gram basket) and lock the portafilter into your machine.
- Place the scale on the drip tray under your group head, with your empty cup or an espresso shot glass on top. Press the power button: 0.0 g.
- Tap the clock button the moment you start your machine.
- Stop your shot at 36 g and tap the clock button to stop the timer. Between 25 and 30 seconds? Then you’re spot on.
- Hold the clock button for 2 seconds to reset the timer to zero.
In manual mode you count from the moment you start your machine, so including pre-infusion. Exactly how our basic recipe is meant to work.
Auto timer mode: made for espresso
This mode is built around the way Hugo, one of our founders, makes his own espresso. First weigh your beans and do your puck prep in peace, without the scale getting in the way. Then the scale goes on the drip tray, cup on top, and one tap. The timer starts by itself when your espresso starts flowing and stops by itself when nothing more comes out. All you have to do is keep an eye on your shot.
- Tap the clock button four times quickly. The A lights up.
- Weigh your beans and do your puck prep.
- Place the scale on the drip tray under your group head, with your cup on top.
- Tap the clock button once. You’ll see -:-- and the weight goes to zero: it’s ready.
- Start your machine. As soon as there’s about 5 grams of espresso in your cup, the timer starts running.
- When your espresso stops flowing, the timer stops by itself. Time and weight stay on the display for about 30 seconds.
If you pour in a little more afterwards, it won’t keep counting: the measurement is finished. If you press the power button, it only resets the weight to zero.
Another shot? Tap the clock button once. It resets the weight to zero and is ready again, so you carry on from step 4.
Starting all over again? Tap the clock button twice. It resets everything and you start from the beginning.
A note on our basic recipe: we recommend 18 g of coffee in, 36 g of espresso out, in 25 to 30 seconds. That time includes pre-infusion: you count from the moment you start your machine. In auto timer mode the timer only starts once there’s about 5 grams in your cup, so the scale doesn’t see the pre-infusion or the first seconds of your shot. As a result, the time on your display will be shorter. If you know how long your machine pre-infuses, add that on. Want to measure exactly according to the basic recipe? Use manual mode.
Flow rate: see how your espresso is running
During your shot you’ll see a number in the middle of the display: the flow rate. That’s how many grams of espresso flow into your cup per second. When your espresso stops, the number drops back to 0.
Don’t want to see the flow rate? Tap the power button twice and the number disappears. Tap twice again to bring it back.
Our basic recipe, 36 g of espresso in 25 to 30 seconds, works out at an average of about 1.2 to 1.4 grams per second. Espresso running much faster? Your grind may be too coarse. Running much slower? Your grind may be too fine. Weight and time remain the basis, the flow rate just gives you that little bit of extra insight.
Want to see where your shot is running too fast? With a bottomless portafilter you can see at a glance whether your espresso is running faster in one spot than across the rest of your puck.
Care and correct use
- Not waterproof. Never rinse it and keep the USB-C port dry. Wipe it clean with a damp barista cloth.
- Not on a hot machine. It works between 0 and 40 °C, so don’t put it on the cup warmer on top of your machine.
- Maximum 2 kg. Anything heavier can damage the scale.
- Handle with care. It’s a precision instrument. Don’t drop it, and store it in the travel case.
- No fast charger. Use a regular charger of 5 V, 1 to 2 A.
Something not working as expected?
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| It won’t switch on | Check that the switch on the side is set to ON. Then briefly press the power button. |
| It switches off by itself | After 5 minutes of inactivity it switches itself off. Just switch it back on. |
| It won’t charge | Set the switch to ON while charging and use a regular charger, not a fast charger. |
| Switching modes doesn’t work | Tap the clock button four times quickly in a row. |
| The weight is suddenly in ounces | You tapped the power button four times. Do it again and you’re back to grams. |
| The timer won’t start in auto timer mode | Is the A on? Then tap the clock button once so you see -:--. The timer only starts running from about 5 grams in your cup. |
| The timer doesn’t keep counting when I pour in more | That’s right, once it has stopped the measurement is finished. Tap the clock button once for a new measurement, or twice to reset everything. |
| I don’t see a number in the middle of the display | You’ve hidden the flow rate. Tap the power button twice to bring it back. |
| 100 g weighs 98 or 99 g | Calibrate it with the included 100 g calibration weight. |
| The display looks scratched or damaged | The protective film is probably still on. It sits very tightly, so lift it from a corner with your fingernail. |
| The time in auto timer mode is shorter than our basic recipe | The auto timer only starts counting from about 5 grams, the basic recipe from when you start your machine. Add your pre-infusion time or use manual mode. |
| The weight keeps jumping around | Place it on a flat, sturdy surface and try not to weigh while it’s charging. |
Stuck? Just send us a message, we’re happy to help.
