A micro-manager

For the obsessed (you know who you are), the Durascale 50 weighs yeast down to a hundredth of a gram or ounce. It might seem silly to be that exact, but the amounts of dry yeast used in pre-ferments are so small (sometimes less than a third of a gram) that getting it just right is vital. And it’s part of the fun. The portable scale -- about the size of a calculator -- comes with a protective lid and carry case. To measure a minute amount of yeast, place a piece of parchment paper on the scale, hit the “tare” button to reset the scale to zero, then add the yeast. Use the paper to transfer the yeast.

Durascale 50, about $65, from various online retailers. For online shopping information, go to www.myweigh.com/pocketscales_Durascale.html.

-- David Colker