• Doctors Scales
• Price Computing Scales
• Jewelry Scales
• Detecto Scales
• Health O Meter Scales
• Seca Scales
• Ohaus Scales
• Pelouze Scales
• Analytical Balances
• Moisture Analyzers

In our on the go society there has been a steady incline of processed snacks and bread products. With this, food and baking industries have become increasingly competitive than ever before. One of the most commonly measured properties in food and food processing is also the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth – water.

The process of snack food baking begins and ends with moisture content analysis. At the beginning the raw materials are presented to a plant that is purchasing these goods. A Certificate of Analysis is given to provide validity of materials and includes the moisture content. The cost of many raw materials is based on weight. Because of this, many manufacturers providing raw materials will try to incorporate as much water as possible into the ingredients so they can charge more for them. If the purchasing plant did a moisture analysis on the raw materials as they were coming in they could verify the Certificate’s information on moisture content and potentially save thousands of dollars.

Once the raw materials are in the plant, moisture analysis is done in the food manufacturing process. During the food manufacturing process, an understanding of moisture content is necessary to understand the nature of the foods. It will help determine how they will react to mixing, baking and drying. During certain critical stages of manufacturing moisture content can make or break the product. The mixing and certainty of ingredients at the beginnings of the processing of a product will help determine quality. Excess moisture in the dry mixes can cause clumping and an increase in moisture during processing and storage. This will cause the product to deteriorate even before its final stages. Moisture tests at this stage will allow easy adjustments to be made throughout the blending process to keep moisture low and under control.

As a final product is reached, it is important to monitor moisture content. The texture, taste, appearance, stability and shelf life of the final product depend on the amount of water it contains. Molding can occur if there is too much moisture in the product after it is packaged and this can ruin products and cost the manufacturing plant funds. Again, checking the moisture content before the items are shipped will also help ensure that these items will not be ruined shortly after arriving at their retail destination.

An infrared moisture balance is a well-suited instrument for determining moisture content in snack foods and is recommended by the American Institute of Baking. These moisture analyzers offer a high quality of information with fairly inexpensive equipment. These machines produce repeatable and accurate results. The moisture analyzer tests samples faster and also takes up less room, reduces heat in the work area and boosts production rates which are all positive factors in snack food and baking production.

Monitoring and testing moisture in every step of the process of snack food and other commercial baking will ensure a quality product along the way. It will increase production and decrease costs.

• Electric Fireplaces
• Electric Fireplace Inserts
• Corner Electric Fireplaces
• Dimplex Electric Fireplaces
• Classic Flame Electric Fireplaces
• Wall Mount Electric Fireplaces
• Electric Fireplace Stoves
• Entertainment Center Electric Fireplaces
• Electric Fireplace Mantels
• Cherry Electric Fireplaces

The fireplace holds a special place in the hearts of most Americans. Almost everybody can imagine sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold night with the family or significant other, staying toasty warm despite the temperature outside. This is a piece of Americana, but it is only available to those who have a home with a fireplace. Or is it?

Not every home in America has a fireplace. Some people do not want one, and seek out a home without one installed. Some people do want one, but have to make a sacrifice when finding an otherwise perfect home to live in. Some people actually have a fireplace but are afraid to use it because of the mess and danger involved.

The one-size-fits-all solution for each of these problems is the electric fireplace. Electric fireplaces come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. A color and style can be found to fit any home décor. An electric fireplace can be put in any room in the house or even every room if you are so inclined. It can be set up as a decorative piece, or as a functional piece. If you decide to change the house around, you can move an electric fireplace wherever you want. Can the same be said about a standard fireplace?

Electric fireplaces have a wide range of styles and uses. Most people will use it as a standard fireplace piece, but other options are available. Some electric fireplaces double as entertainment centers. The system operates the same as other fireplaces, with controllable heat, picture, and fire sounds, but also has a shelf on top to hold a television and cabinets on the sides that can hold electronic components, DVDs, or anything else you want to fill them with. Other electric fireplaces come as corner units, allowing them to fit in the corner of a room and still provide heat. Mantle units are available that look exactly like a built-in fireplace. Wall units are available for somebody with eccentric tastes. The systems mount on a wall and make it look like there is a recess with an actual flame. The wall units put out as much heat as the other systems, but give the added option of mounting higher in the room to keep floor space clear.

Electric fireplaces are not just decorative and convenient, they are also safe. Instead of lighting an open flame with wood or gas, the system is no different than a furnace heater blowing out hot air. No fuel is necessary; these fireplaces run off of the electricity coming from a standard wall socket. No need to worry about children in the room, the systems are not hot to the touch, put out no emissions, and heat the room the same as a furnace vent.

Electric fireplaces can fill that hole that you have in your house. No longer do you have to do without that piece of Americana that you have been missing.

• Digital Scales
• Baby Scales
• Bathroom Scales
• Counting Scales
• Floor Scales
• Food Scales
• Hanging Scales
• Kitchen Scales
• Medical Scales
• Postal Scales

If you have home grown produce and are thinking of selling at a farmer’s market, there are several items of basic equipment that you’ll need in order to get started. Some of these items can be found at most homes or farms, others may require you to make a special purchase.

You’ll need one or more tables with enough surface area to display the goods which you are selling. They need not hold your entire selling inventory, but just enough for several customers. You can always add more from a box or cooler below the table when an item runs low. Tables should be lightweight and should fold flat for easy transport and set up. They should, however, also be sturdy enough to hold everything you will put on them plus the weight of a leaning customer without collapsing.

Many of the items you might sell at a farmer’s market are often sold by weight in a supermarket. Herbs, vegetables, fruit, and the like are often priced by the ounce or by the pound. If you choose to sell items by weight, then most states will require that you use a scale that is certified for commercial trade. These may be a little more expensive that a typical kitchen scale. Check the rules in your state carefully to avoid any legal trouble. A commercial quality produce scale can lend your booth an extra air of credibility in the eyes of customers. There is something quaint and personal about a merchant weighing out each order for the customer, and then tossing in an extra sprig or two of mint or whatever item is being weighed out as a bonus.

If a commercial grade scale is beyond your budget at first, then don’t sell by weight. Instead sell by the piece for fruit and most vegetables. Herbs and greens can be sold by bound bunches that you have prepared before putting them on display. Things being some by the piece such as tomatoes, can be priced according to size as small, medium, and large.

You’ll also need a secure cash box. Since you may not have electricity available at the booth, a battery powered calculator and a cash box will function as your cash register. You’ll need to know the local sales tax rules for fresh produce or whatever other items you’re selling. You’ll also want some method to record each receipt. By tracking which items sell the quickest and which sell slower, you can fine tune your offerings to increase your profits from week to week. You’ll also need to track daily income and expenses for income tax purposes.

Items like commercial trade scales or others purchased exclusively for use in the sale of your products are generally tax deductible against your business income, so you can shield some of your profits against taxes by investing them in equipment for use in expanding or improving your operation. Again rules may vary by state so check with a qualified tax professional for the specifics.