How To Weigh Flour When Baking Bread?

Having the right amount of flour is crucial in making almost any type of bread. Too much flour will make the bread dense and dry. Using too little flour may lead to a wet, sticky dough that can’t be shaped. So to help you out in discovering the best way to weigh flour, continue reading!

Is it better to weigh or measure flour?

Weighing the flour you add to a recipe is much more accurate than measuring by volume. By weighing, you add the exact same amount of flour that you use every time. Measuring by volume can give varying amounts, as it depends on how you scoop, how tightly it’s packed and the moisture content of the flour.

Why are ingredients weighed to make bread dough?

Ingredients in baking are weighed to get the best results. This is especially true for bread, as yeast doughs are very sensitive to inaccuracies. A variance of just a few grams can have quite an impact on the outcome. This is also why good kitchen scales are the hub of any home baker’s set-up.

What scales should I use for weighing bread?

The MyWeigh bakery scales range has become the industry standard for home bakers across the world. Their durability, size, accuracy and easy use/clean design make them the perfect scale for every home baker. They work great to weigh flour but are even better when dividing the dough into pieces. Here’s the link to their Amazon page if you would like to check them out.

How to weigh flour with scales

How to measure flour without scales

Kitchen scales provide the most accurate results, but you can still measure flour without one. Of course, the next best thing to use would be measuring cups. But as flour is usually tightly packed, the spoon-and-level method is a way to measure flour accurately. You can do it by following these steps:

1. If you have a newly-bought flour, take it out of the packaging, and transfer it into an airtight container. 
2. Once it’s in the container already, use a spoon to fluff it up, so it won’t be as tight and condensed. 
3. Using a spoon again, scoop the flour into your measuring cup. 
4. Lastly, get a knife or any straight-edged utensil and use it to level off the flour across the measuring cup. Doing this will remove any excess flour that you’ve scooped up. Any sharp-edged utensil will do, and you can also leave it inside your flour container, so you can use it anytime you need it. 

Do you pack flour when measuring?

No! Flour easily sets even if you transfer it to a new container. This will lead to too much flour in the measuring cup, which, of course, will make the measurement inaccurate. Fluffing the flour up and using the scoop-and-level method should always be done to measure flour correctly.

Should I weigh or measure yeast?

Even with yeast, weighing it will give a more accurate result. As yeast is very active and can be affected by slight changes in measurements. It’s important to work with the right amount of yeast when you make bread. I also use a set of precision scales for measuring really small quantities. Handy for yeast and salt.

How much is in a packet of yeast?

Each packet of yeast weighs 7 grams or .25 oz. If you measure it, it will be the equivalent of 2 1/4 tsp. This is usually the same with all types of yeast, may it be active dry, instant, or rapid-rise.

Most brands and companies have the same amount per packet. However, I did laugh last week when I saw an instant yeast packet that claimed to be 50% quicker than other packets of yeast. As the packet was 50% bigger than a standard packet, I would expect so!

How to measure water for bread?

For measuring water, kitchen scales would work best. Scales make measuring easier and are a lot more accurate than using a measuring jug. As 1 gram of water is the same as 1 ml, a digital scale is faster and easier to prepare water weights.

Do all types of flour have the same weight?

It’s also good to take note that different types of flour somehow vary in weight. They will differ in density as they all undergo different types of processes before achieving their final state. Some types of flour are milled including their bran and germ, while some are not. Some are refined, some are not. 

A cup of all-purpose flour weighs 150g, while a cup of whole wheat flour weighs 120g. A cup of rye flour weighs 120g, while a cup of cake and pastry flour weighs 130g. So if you’re trying to convert different units of measurement, it would be better to check out some baking conversions online. 

To give you more ideas, I’ve made an ounce to tablespoon conversion table below on some general types of flour.

Source: https://www.inchcalculator.com/convert/ounce-flour-to-tablespoon-flour/

How can I measure 4 oz of flour without scales?

Even without a kitchen scale, you can still get an accurate measurement of flour, or at least close to it, by measuring cups and tablespoons. Use a kitchen spoon to fluff up the flour and scoop 14 ¼ to 14 ½ tbsp or ¾ of a cup of flour.

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