The Jennings CJ-4000 is a popular scale that is basically the benchmark for quality in the digital coffee scale/kitchen scale world.
CJ-4000 Basics
The CJ-4000 is consistently priced around $25. The scale is affordable, plus it’s reliable and accurate. It’s utilitarian in design and light on functions, but it has everything you need to do the job. It does not have a timer.
CJ-4000 Features
The key features of the CJ-4000 are…
- 0.5g precision (its number one drawback)
- Powered by three AAA batteries or included AC adapter
- 4000g capacity
It has a long battery life, it’s durable enough to last for years, and it can take a drop. How do I know it’s durable and long-lasting? Because I bought mine in 2012 and it’s still working now in 2020.
The scale surface is metal so it’s OK with hot objects, and the scale is water-resistant but not waterproof.
By the way, if the 0.5g precision of the CJ-4000 is a dealbreaker for you, then you want the CJ600, the 0.1 gram precision variety of the Jennings scale. The downsides are the the price jumps a bit and the capacity goes from 4000 to 600 grams.
All told, this is a great all-round scale and it’s a perfect buy-it-for-life purchase if you are focused on making coffee (as opposed to espresso which is better served with a 0.1 gram precision).