Commercial Food Scale Guide: Portion, Prep and Pizza Scales for Restaurant Kitchens
Reviewed by MNM Scales technicians · Updated November 2, 2026 · Prices checked November 2, 2026
Short answer: a restaurant or commissary kitchen usually needs a commercial food scale for each job, not one scale for everything. Portion scales of 2 to 15 lb with fine graduations sit on the line, 30 to 60 lb scales handle prep and receiving, and a pizza or bakery scale weighs toppings and dough. Pick NSF-listed or washdown models for wet areas, and an NTEP scale wherever food is sold by weight. For a line portion scale that can also go to the counter, the A&D SJ-1000HS ($199) is NSF listed and NTEP Class III. Call (832) 290-3120 and tell us what each station weighs.
This guide is for chefs, kitchen managers and commissary operators choosing scales for portion control, prep, receiving and baking. MNM Scales has sold, calibrated and repaired scales for over 30 years from our shop in Cypress, Texas. If you run a food plant with packing and filling lines, see our food processing scales guide instead, and for printed price labels at a deli counter, see our deli scale with label printer guide.
How to choose a commercial food scale for a restaurant or commissary kitchen
- Name the station. Line portioning, prep and receiving, and pizza or bakery work each call for a different capacity and platform.
- Size the capacity. Add the heaviest container you weigh in to the heaviest food load, and choose a capacity above that total.
- Check the graduation. The scale should read finer than the smallest portion you control. A 2 oz portion is easy to hold on a scale that reads 0.002 lb, and harder on one that reads 0.02 lb.
- Match the cleaning. Dry stations can use a wipe-clean scale with a removable stainless pan. Stations that are hosed or sanitized need a washdown rating such as IP68 or IPX8.
- Look for NSF where your health program or brand standard asks for NSF-listed equipment.
- Decide on NTEP. Any scale that sets a price, such as food sold by the pound, has to be legal for trade in Texas. See the rules section below.
- Plan the power. Battery scales move between stations; AC scales suit a fixed spot. Check what each listing includes, since some adapters and batteries are not included.
Portion control, prep and receiving, and pizza and bakery scales
Portion control on the line
Line cooks weigh proteins, cheese, sides and sauces to the recipe card, many times a shift. A small footprint, a fast reading and a clear display matter most. The Brecknell 430-15 adds a backlight that changes color for under, accept and over, so staff can portion to a target without reading digits, and the Brecknell 6030 is a compact stainless portion scale for tight stations. Where the same scale also weighs food for sale, choose an NTEP model such as the A&D SJ-1000HS or the OHAUS Valor 4000 V41PWE6T.
Prep and receiving
Prep tables and back doors weigh bulk ingredients, cases, batches and deliveries checked against the invoice. These jobs need 30 to 60 lb of capacity and a platform big enough for a hotel pan or a case. The A&D SK-20KZ weighs 44 lb on batteries, so it moves from the prep table to the receiving door, and the Rice Lake RLP-30S and RLP-60S are IP68 washdown, NTEP scales for wet prep areas and commissaries.
Pizza and bakery
Pizza makers weigh dough balls and toppings, and bakers scale dough and ingredients. The Yamato PB-200 pizza scale weighs 12.5 lb in 0.01 lb steps. For bakery formulas in grams, the A&D SK-5000Z weighs 5000 g in 2 g steps and is NSF certified.
Capacity and graduation: sizing the scale to the job
| Kitchen job | Typical capacity | Graduation to look for | Scales in stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portioning proteins, cheese and sides | 2 to 15 lb | 0.001 to 0.005 lb | A&D SJ-1000HS, Brecknell 430-15, OHAUS Valor 4000 V41PWE6T, Rice Lake RLP-6S |
| Batching sauces and bakery formulas | 5 to 30 lb | 1 to 2 g, or 0.002 to 0.005 lb | A&D SK-5000Z, Brecknell 430-30, OHAUS Valor 4000 V41PWE15T |
| Prep, receiving and bulk ingredients | 30 to 60 lb | 0.01 to 0.02 lb | A&D SK-20KZ, Rice Lake RLP-30S, Rice Lake RLP-60S |
| Pizza dough and toppings | About 12 lb | 0.01 lb | Yamato PB-200 |
NSF, washdown and cleaning
- NSF: the A&D SJ-1000HS is NSF listed (NSF 169) and the A&D SK-5000Z is NSF certified, which helps where a health program or brand standard calls for NSF equipment.
- Washdown: the Rice Lake RLP-6S, RLP-30S and RLP-60S are IP68 water and dust resistant, and the OHAUS Valor 4000 scales carry IPX8 protection. Our washdown scales guide explains the IP ratings.
- Housing: the Valor 4000 comes with an ABS housing and stainless platform (V41PWE models) or a stainless housing and platform (V41XWE models). Our OHAUS Valor vs Ranger vs Scout comparison covers the Valor line in more detail.
- Daily care: lift off removable pans to clean under them, keep spray off scales without a washdown rating, and check zero before the first portion of each shift.
Commercial food scales in stock
| Food scale | Capacity x graduation | Food-service features | Legal for trade | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&D SJ-1000HS | 1000 g x 0.5 g (2.2 lb x 0.001 lb) | NSF listed, stainless pan, 4 D batteries; AC adapter not included | NTEP Class III, CC 10-001 | $199 |
| A&D SK-2000Z | 2000 g x 1 g (4.4 lb x 0.002 lb) | Splash and dust-proof, removable stainless pan, temperature compensated | Back-of-house weighing | $179 |
| A&D SK-5000Z | 5000 g x 2 g (11 lb x 0.005 lb) | NSF certified, removable stainless pan; 6 D batteries and AC adapter not included | Back-of-house weighing | $179 |
| A&D SK-20KZ | 44 lb x 0.02 lb (20 kg x 10 g) | Removable stainless pan; 6 D batteries and AC adapter not included | Back-of-house weighing | $189 |
| Brecknell 6030 | 10 lb x 0.002 lb | Stainless cover, removable platter, 9V battery included; AC adapter not included | Back-of-house weighing | $113.99 |
| Brecknell 430-15 | 15 lb x 0.001 lb | Color backlight for under, accept and over; AC adapter and rechargeable battery included | Back-of-house weighing | $109 |
| Brecknell 430-30 | 30 lb x 0.002 lb | Color backlight for under, accept and over; AC adapter and rechargeable battery included | Back-of-house weighing | $129 |
| OHAUS Valor 4000 V41PWE6T | 15 lb x 0.002 lb | IPX8, ABS housing, stainless platform, rechargeable battery and AC adapter | NTEP Class III, CC 13-056 | $455 |
| OHAUS Valor 4000 V41PWE15T | 30 lb x 0.005 lb | IPX8, ABS housing, stainless platform, rechargeable battery and AC adapter | NTEP Class III, CC 13-056 | $465 |
| OHAUS Valor 4000 V41XWE6T | 15 lb x 0.002 lb | IPX8, stainless housing and platform, rechargeable battery and AC adapter | NTEP Class III, CC 13-056 | $541 |
| OHAUS Valor 4000 V41XWE15T | 30 lb x 0.005 lb | IPX8, stainless housing and platform, rechargeable battery and AC adapter | NTEP Class III, CC 13-056 | $539 |
| Rice Lake RLP-6S | 6 lb x 0.002 lb | IP68 washdown, removable pan, AC adapter included; rechargeable battery not included | NTEP Class III, CC 10-068 | $380.99 |
| Rice Lake RLP-30S | 30 lb x 0.01 lb | IP68 washdown, removable pan, AC adapter included; rechargeable battery not included | NTEP Class III, CC 10-068 | $393.99 |
| Rice Lake RLP-60S | 60 lb x 0.02 lb | IP68 washdown, removable pan, AC adapter included; rechargeable battery not included | NTEP Class III, CC 10-068 | $393.99 |
| Yamato PB-200 pizza scale | 12.5 lb x 0.01 lb | Pizza and bakery portioning | Back-of-house weighing | $289 |
Rules: when a kitchen scale has to be legal for trade
A scale that sets a price is a commercial device. In a restaurant or commissary, that includes food sold by the pound at a counter, a buffet or salad bar priced by weight, and bulk or prepared food weighed for a wholesale invoice. Those scales have to be legal for trade in Texas. TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. Our TDA-registered technicians can place trade scales in service; see our legal-for-trade scale calibration in Texas, our NTEP guide and our TDA scale certification guide. For portioning to a recipe or checking deliveries, choose the scale by capacity, graduation and cleaning, and pick an NTEP model if it may move to the counter later.
Calibration and rental
Every food scale above can be bought with calibration and a certificate, chosen by its capacity:
- Up to 2.2 kg (A&D SJ-1000HS, SK-2000Z): in-house calibration with a certificate ($95) or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate ($395).
- 2.2 to 6.2 kg (A&D SK-5000Z, Brecknell 6030, OHAUS V41PWE6T and V41XWE6T, Rice Lake RLP-6S, Yamato PB-200): in-house calibration ($195) or NIST calibration ($495).
- 6.2 to 35 kg (A&D SK-20KZ, Brecknell 430-15 and 430-30, OHAUS V41PWE15T and V41XWE15T, Rice Lake RLP-30S and RLP-60S): in-house calibration ($250) or NIST calibration ($595).
- On-site service: $295 + $2 per mile per visit across the Houston area, with calibration charged per scale; see on-site calibration in Houston and our scale calibration service in Houston.
- Certificates and schedules: see NIST vs in-house certificates and how often a scale should be calibrated.
- Mail-in, repairs and rentals: send a scale for mail-in calibration, have us repair the brands we sell, and rent all types of scales while yours is in service.
Outfitting a kitchen or commissary? Send each station, the heaviest load, the smallest portion, how the area is cleaned, and whether any scale prices food by weight. We will match the scales and quote them calibrated. Shop: 21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, visits by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best commercial food scale for a restaurant?
Match the scale to the station. Use a 2 to 15 lb portion scale with a fine graduation on the line, a 30 to 60 lb scale for prep and receiving, and a pizza or bakery scale for dough and toppings.
What capacity commercial food scale do I need?
Add the heaviest container to the heaviest food load and choose a capacity above that total. Then check that the graduation is finer than the smallest portion you control.
Does a restaurant scale need to be NTEP?
A scale that sets a price, such as food sold by the pound, is a commercial device and has to be legal for trade in Texas. We recommend NTEP models such as the A&D SJ-1000HS, the OHAUS Valor 4000 and the Rice Lake RLP series.
Which food scales are NSF listed?
In our stock list, the A&D SJ-1000HS is NSF listed (NSF 169) and the A&D SK-5000Z is NSF certified. Ask us about NSF listings for other models.
Which food scales can be washed down?
The Rice Lake RLP-6S, RLP-30S and RLP-60S are IP68 water and dust resistant, and the OHAUS Valor 4000 scales carry IPX8 protection. Keep spray off scales without a washdown rating.
Can I buy a food scale already calibrated?
Yes. Add in-house calibration with a certificate or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate when you order, priced by capacity: $95 or $395 up to 2.2 kg, $195 or $495 from 2.2 to 6.2 kg, and $250 or $595 from 6.2 to 35 kg.
Do you calibrate kitchen scales on-site in Houston?
Yes. Our technicians calibrate on-site across Greater Houston for $295 + $2 per mile per visit, with calibration charged per scale. Call (832) 290-3120 or contact us to book.