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If you’ve ever followed a recipe perfectly only to end up with a flat cake or tough bread, the culprit probably wasn’t your oven or your technique. It was likely your measuring cups. Measuring by volume is notoriously inconsistent, but measuring by weight is exact, every single time. This is why a digital scale is the secret weapon for anyone who wants more reliable results in the kitchen. It takes the guesswork out of cooking and baking, giving you the confidence to tackle any recipe. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the best digital food scale for your needs, from essential features to expert-approved models.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize weight over volume for better results: The key to consistent cooking and baking is accuracy. Measuring ingredients by weight, like in grams, removes the guesswork of using cups and gives you the same great outcome every time you follow a recipe.
• Match the scale’s features to your kitchen tasks: The best scale for you depends on what you do most. Bakers should look for high capacity for large batches, while meal preppers will find an easy-to-clean surface and simple unit conversion most helpful.
• Focus on the non-negotiable core functions: No matter your budget, a great scale must have three things: a quick and responsive tare function, a clear display you can read from any angle, and a durable design that’s easy to wipe down.

What Makes a Great Digital Food Scale?

Choosing a digital food scale can feel overwhelming, but it really comes down to a few key features that separate a reliable kitchen workhorse from a frustrating gadget. The best scale for you depends entirely on what you’ll be doing. A professional baker has different needs than someone who portions out meals for the week, and a busy restaurant kitchen requires a scale that can handle constant use.

Before you shop for a scale, it helps to understand what makes one truly great. Think about how you cook and what tasks you need a scale for most often. Are you measuring light, precious ingredients like saffron, or weighing heavy batches of bread dough? Do you need something that can withstand the occasional splash of water or a drop on the floor? We’ll walk through the most important features to look for, so you can find a scale that feels like it was made just for your kitchen.

Pinpoint Accuracy and Precision

This is the number one reason to own a kitchen scale. Accuracy is everything. As the experts at Bon Appétit point out, “Scales provide truly accurate measurements, unlike measuring cups, which can vary depending on how ingredients are packed.” This consistency is what gives you perfect results every time, whether you’re baking a delicate cake or portioning ground beef. For most cooking, a scale that measures in 1-gram increments is perfect. However, if you’re working with very small quantities, like for coffee or spices, you might want a scale that offers precision down to a tenth of a gram. For commercial settings, consistent accuracy is essential for managing costs and delivering a uniform product, making reliable restaurant scales a must-have.

The Right Weight Capacity for Your Needs

Weight capacity refers to the maximum weight a scale can handle before it gives an error message. It’s an easy feature to overlook, but an important one. Most standard kitchen scales can handle about 11 pounds, which is plenty for everyday tasks. However, if you plan on weighing heavier items, like a whole turkey or large batches of dough, you’ll need a more robust model. As Reviewed notes, some heavy-duty scales can manage over 17 pounds. Before you buy, think about the heaviest thing you might weigh. A high-capacity scale, like many , ensures you won’t have to split ingredients into smaller batches just to weigh them.

The Must-Have Tare Function

If a digital scale is missing this feature, walk away. The tare function is non-negotiable. It allows you to reset the scale’s display to zero, even with a container on it. Bon Appétit rightly calls the tare button “super important” because it simplifies measuring so much. You can place a bowl on the scale, press the tare button to zero it out, and then add your first ingredient. Want to add another? Just press tare again and pour. This lets you measure multiple ingredients in a single bowl, which means less guesswork and, best of all, fewer dishes to wash later. It’s a simple feature that you will use every single time.

A Clear, Easy-to-Read Display

You shouldn’t have to squint or crane your neck to see the weight on your scale. A great digital scale has a bright, clear display with large, easy-to-read numbers. A backlit screen is a huge plus, especially in kitchens with less-than-perfect lighting. Some of the best designs also solve a common problem: large bowls or plates blocking the screen. America’s Test Kitchen praised one model where “the screen can pull out an extra four inches,” ensuring you can always see the measurement. When you’re in the middle of a recipe, a readable display from any angle makes the entire process smoother. For more complex setups, you can even find separate digital scale indicators for ultimate visibility.

A Durable, Long-Lasting Design

Kitchens are tough environments. Your scale will likely face spills, splatters, and maybe even an accidental drop from the counter. A well-made scale is built to withstand this. Look for models with a seamless design that prevents flour or liquids from getting trapped in cracks or around buttons. Stainless steel platforms are popular because they are durable and easy to wipe clean. As America’s Test Kitchen found, a great scale is “very durable and has lasted for years, even with daily use, drops, bumps, and splashes.” Investing in a durable model from a trusted brand like means you’ll have a reliable tool for years to come, not something you have to replace every year.

Smart Features You’ll Actually Use

In a world of connected gadgets, it’s easy to get drawn in by “smart” features like app integration or nutritional databases. While these can be useful for some, they often complicate a simple tool. Bon Appétit warns that some scales with fancy features “often sacrifice overall accuracy, making them less useful for general cooking and baking.” Instead of focusing on flashy tech, look for practical functions you’ll genuinely use. The most helpful features include the ability to switch between different units of measurement (like ounces and grams), a baker’s percentage function for serious bread makers, and an auto-off feature that gives you enough time to work before it shuts down. Prioritize core function over frills.

Our Top Digital Food Scales for Every Kitchen

Finding the right digital food scale really comes down to how you plan to use it. The perfect scale for a professional baker might be overkill for someone who just wants to weigh chicken breasts for their weekly meal prep. That’s why we’ve broken down our top recommendations based on your specific kitchen needs. Whether you’re perfecting a sourdough starter or portioning out snacks for the week, there’s a scale designed to make your life easier. Let’s find the right one for you.

For the Everyday Home Cook

If you’re looking for a reliable partner for everyday recipes, you need a scale that’s straightforward and easy to use. Look for features like a clear, backlit display and a simple tare function. A great example is a scale with a pull-out display, which keeps the screen visible even when you’re using a large mixing bowl. A removable stainless steel platform is another fantastic feature, making cleanup quick and simple. These user-friendly kitchen scales take the guesswork out of measuring, helping you follow recipes with confidence and get consistent results every time you cook.

For the Precision Baker

Baking is a science, and precision is everything. For bakers, a scale that measures in grams is non-negotiable. You’ll want a model known for its high accuracy and quick response time, so you’re not waiting for the numbers to settle. Some of the best baking scales even include a baker’s percentage function, which simplifies the process of scaling recipes up or down. This feature calculates ingredient weights relative to the total flour weight, a game-changer for anyone serious about making bread or pastries. A reliable tare function is also essential for accurately measuring ingredients one after another in the same bowl.

For the Dedicated Meal Prepper

When you’re meal prepping, consistency is key. A digital scale is your best tool for accurate portion control, which is essential for hitting nutritional goals or following a specific diet. Using a scale ensures that your 4-ounce portion of protein is actually 4 ounces, every single time. Look for a scale with a smooth, easy-to-clean surface, since you’ll likely be weighing a variety of ingredients. The tare function is also a meal prepper’s best friend, allowing you to zero out the weight of your container and add multiple foods to the same bowl without any extra math.

For the Small Business or Restaurant

In a professional kitchen, a scale isn’t just a tool; it’s a workhorse. You need something that can withstand constant daily use, so durability is paramount. Look for restaurant scales with a high weight capacity to handle bulk ingredients and a sturdy, stainless steel platform. Accuracy is crucial for managing food costs and ensuring recipe consistency across every shift. Many professional-grade scales are also NSF-certified, meaning they meet strict public health and safety standards. Investing in a quality scale designed for commercial use will pay off in reliability and longevity.

Baking with a Digital Scale: Which Features Matter Most?

If you’ve ever followed a recipe to the letter and ended up with a disappointing result, you know that baking is a science. Unlike cooking, where you can often get away with a little bit of this and a dash of that, baking demands precision. Your most important lab partner in the kitchen isn’t a fancy mixer; it’s a reliable digital food scale. But when you’re ready to move beyond measuring cups, you’ll find that not all scales are created equal. For bakers, certain features can make the difference between a perfect sourdough loaf and a dense, flat disc. Let’s look at the features that truly matter when your goal is a flawless bake, every single time.

Measure in Grams for Perfect Results

The single biggest change you can make for better baking is to start measuring your ingredients by weight instead of volume. A cup of flour can vary dramatically depending on how you scoop it, but 120 grams is always 120 grams. Using a digital scale to measure in grams gives you incredible accuracy and consistency, especially for foundational ingredients like flour, water, salt, and sugar. This precision is what allows you to replicate that perfect cookie recipe again and again. When every gram counts, having a dependable kitchen scale is the only way to guarantee your results.

Why High Accuracy is Non-Negotiable

Once you commit to weighing your ingredients, the accuracy of your scale becomes everything. A scale that’s off by even a few grams can affect the hydration of your dough or the texture of your cake. As America’s Test Kitchen notes, using a scale helps you get exact and consistent results. This is especially true for delicate recipes where the ratio of ingredients is critical. High-quality restaurant scales are built for this kind of precision, ensuring that your measurements are spot-on every time. Think of it as an investment in consistency; a truly accurate scale removes the guesswork and lets you focus on your technique.

Choose a Large Capacity for Big Batches

Before you buy a scale, think about the biggest and heaviest batches you plan to make. Will you be mixing a large sourdough boule in a heavy ceramic bowl? Or perhaps preparing multiple batches of cookies for a bake sale? Most standard kitchen scales top out around 11 pounds (or 5 kilograms), which can be limiting. Don’t forget to account for the weight of your mixing bowl. Choosing a scale with a higher capacity, like many , gives you the flexibility to double recipes or work with heavy containers without maxing out your equipment.

Simplify Recipes with a Baker’s Percentage Function

If you’re serious about baking bread, a scale with a baker’s percentage function is a game-changer. This feature automatically calculates the weight of each ingredient as a percentage of the total flour weight, which is the standard for professional recipes. It makes scaling a recipe up or down incredibly simple, eliminating all the tricky math. Instead of recalculating every ingredient, you just set the flour to 100% and the scale does the rest. It’s a professional-grade feature that helps you perfect your formulas and experiment with new recipes like a seasoned pro.

Meal Prep and Portion Control: Your Scale’s Must-Have Features

If you’re serious about meal prep or portion control, a digital food scale isn’t just a helpful tool, it’s essential. It’s the key to consistency, whether you’re dividing a week’s worth of chicken and rice into perfectly even meals or carefully tracking macros to meet a fitness goal. Using a scale removes the guesswork that comes with measuring cups, giving you precise control over your ingredients and final portions. This level of accuracy is crucial for both home cooks managing their diet and commercial kitchens that need to maintain consistent serving sizes for every customer.

But not all scales are built for the rigors of weekly meal prep. When you’re weighing multiple ingredients back-to-back, you need features that make the process smooth and efficient, not slow you down. The right scale can be the difference between a frustrating Sunday afternoon and a seamless prep session that sets you up for a successful week. From easy cleanup to smart functions that save you time, let’s look at the must-have features for any meal prepper’s kitchen scale.

Look for Easy-to-Clean Surfaces

Meal prep can get messy. You might be weighing raw meat one minute and sticky marinades the next. To keep things hygienic and simple, choose a scale with a smooth, non-porous surface. A model with a removable stainless-steel platform is even better. This feature allows you to lift the weighing surface right off and wash it thoroughly in the sink without risking damage to the scale’s electronic components. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in your cleanup routine, ensuring your scale is always ready for the next task.

Switch Between Ounces, Grams, and More

Flexibility is key when you’re following different recipes or tracking nutritional information. A great meal prep scale lets you switch between units of measurement with the press of a button. You can easily toggle between ounces, pounds, grams, and sometimes even milliliters. This is incredibly useful when you’re working with an online recipe from another country that uses the metric system or when your nutrition app tracks food in grams. Having a scale that can handle multiple units means you won’t have to stop and pull out your phone for a conversion.

Consider Nutritional Tracking Features

For those who track macronutrients or calories, some advanced digital scales offer built-in nutritional databases. These scales can connect to an app on your phone, allowing you to weigh an ingredient like an apple and have the app automatically log its nutritional information. While not a standard feature on all models, it’s a game-changer if your primary goal is precise dietary management. It combines two steps into one, saving you time and eliminating the manual data entry that can sometimes feel like a chore.

Get More Done with Timers and Memory

When you’re in the zone during a big meal prep session, efficiency is everything. Some scales come with extra features like built-in timers and memory functions that help you multitask. You can use the timer to keep track of something roasting in the oven while you continue weighing ingredients. A memory function can be useful for saving the weight of your go-to meal prep containers, so you can subtract their weight instantly without having to re-tare every single time. These smart features help streamline your workflow and keep you organized.

Digital Scale vs. Measuring Cups: What’s the Difference?

If you learned to cook using measuring cups, switching to a digital scale can feel like a big change. But once you make the swap, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one. A scale offers a level of precision and consistency that measuring cups simply can’t match. Beyond just getting better results in your recipes, using a scale can also make your entire cooking process cleaner and more efficient. Let’s break down the key differences and why a scale is a worthy addition to your kitchen toolkit.

How Accuracy Compares

The biggest advantage of a digital scale is accuracy. Measuring cups measure volume (the amount of space an ingredient takes up), while a scale measures weight. A cup of flour can weigh differently depending on whether it’s sifted or packed down, leading to inconsistent results. As the experts at Bon Appétit point out, scales provide truly accurate measurements that are essential for baking, where precision is key. Using a digital food scale ensures that 100 grams of flour is always 100 grams of flour, giving your recipes the foundation they need to succeed every time.

Why a Scale Creates More Consistent Results

Because a scale provides exact measurements, it helps you create incredibly consistent results. This is a game-changer for bakers who need their bread to rise perfectly with each loaf and for restaurant owners who rely on uniform portions. According to America’s Test Kitchen, measuring by weight helps avoid the small mistakes that happen when different people scoop ingredients. This consistency is the secret to perfecting a recipe and being able to replicate it flawlessly. For any business, reliable restaurant scales are fundamental for maintaining quality control and managing food costs effectively.

Save Precious Counter Space

A digital scale can also help you declutter your kitchen and streamline your workflow. Instead of pulling out a whole set of measuring cups and spoons, you can place your mixing bowl directly on the scale and measure ingredients one by one. Simply hit the “tare” button to reset the scale to zero before adding your next ingredient. This method, highlighted by AENO Blog, means you have fewer dishes to wash at the end. It’s a simple change that makes the entire cooking process feel faster and more organized, leaving you with a cleaner counter.

Digital vs. Mechanical Scales: Which is More Accurate?

The debate between digital and mechanical scales is a classic one, and for good reason. Both have a firm place in modern kitchens, but they serve different needs. The right choice for you really comes down to what you’re cooking and how much precision you require. Digital scales are known for their pinpoint accuracy, while mechanical scales are celebrated for their rugged simplicity.

At Penn Scale, we’ve been making and selling both types for over a century, so we understand the unique strengths of each design. Think of it less as a competition and more about finding the right tool for the job. A baker who needs to measure yeast to the tenth of a gram has different needs than a home cook portioning out pasta for dinner. Let’s break down the key differences so you can feel confident in your choice.

How Digital and Mechanical Precision Differ

The main difference between these two types of scales comes down to technology. Digital scales use electronic load cells to measure weight, displaying the result as a precise number. This makes them incredibly accurate, often measuring in increments as small as 0.1 grams. They’re also faster and easier to read, giving you an exact measurement instantly without any guesswork. This level of detail is essential for tasks like baking or coffee brewing, where small variations can make a big difference. Mechanical scales, on the other hand, operate with a spring that compresses under weight, moving a dial to show the measurement. While reliable for general tasks, they are not as exact as their digital counterparts.

When to Choose a Mechanical Scale

Don’t count out the classic spring scale just yet. Mechanical kitchen scales are a fantastic choice for general cooking where perfect accuracy isn’t the top priority. Their biggest advantages are durability and simplicity. You never have to worry about dead batteries or electronic failures in the middle of cooking. They are built to last and can handle the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen. If you’re portioning meat, weighing produce from the market, or dividing dough for rolls, a mechanical scale is a dependable, no-fuss workhorse that will get the job done.

Thinking About Long-Term Accuracy and Care

No matter which type you choose, quality is key to long-term accuracy. Many cheaper scales, both digital and mechanical, can give inaccurate readings if items are placed off-center. For digital scales, the main considerations are power and protection. They need batteries or an outlet and can be damaged by spills, so look for models with good seals. Mechanical scales are tough, but their springs can lose tension over time, which may require recalibration. Ultimately, investing in a well-built scale from a trusted brand like ensures you get a durable, reliable tool that will provide accurate measurements for years to come, regardless of the technology inside.

Finding a Great Digital Scale on a Budget

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a reliable and accurate digital scale. Whether you’re outfitting a home kitchen or a small bakery, there are fantastic options available that deliver precision without the high price tag. The key is knowing what features are essential and which models consistently perform well. We’ve sorted through the noise to find the best budget-friendly scales that will help you measure ingredients perfectly every time. From basic, no-fuss models to those with a few extra perks, here’s a look at what your money can get you.

Our Top Picks Under $25

If you’re looking for a straightforward and dependable scale, you can find excellent choices for less than the price of a cookbook. The Ozeri Pronto Digital Scale is a popular favorite because it’s simple, accurate, and incredibly affordable. For a similar price, the Escali Primo is another fantastic option, praised for its clean design and reliable performance. According to testers, it delivers about 99% accuracy, which is more than enough for most home baking and cooking tasks. Both of these scales prove that you can get a without a big investment.

Great Mid-Range Options ($25-$50)

Investing just a little more can get you some seriously helpful features. The OXO Good Grips 11-lb Scale is widely considered one of the in this price range. Its standout feature is a pull-out display, which means you can still see the screen even when you have a large bowl on the platform. It’s a simple but brilliant design detail. In fact, it’s the top pick from America’s Test Kitchen, who love its user-friendly buttons and easy-to-read screen. This scale is a great workhorse for anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen.

What to Expect from a Budget-Friendly Scale

So, what can you count on from a scale that costs less than $30? A lot, actually. Any good budget model will have the essential tare function, which lets you zero out the weight of a container. You can also expect a decent weight limit suitable for most everyday recipes. A great kitchen scale should be accurate, fast, and easy to clean. Durability is also key, as you want a tool that will last. Even at a lower price point, you should look for a scale with a clear display that you can , even with a big mixing bowl on top.

What the Experts Say: Top-Recommended Features

When you’re trying to find the right tool for the job, it helps to listen to the people who rely on it every day. From professional chefs in bustling kitchens to meticulous home bakers, the experts have clear opinions on what separates a great digital scale from a mediocre one. Their insights focus on practical features that deliver consistent, reliable results, taking the guesswork out of cooking and baking. By understanding what the pros prioritize, you can make a smarter choice for your own kitchen, whether you’re running a business or perfecting a family recipe. Let’s look at the features that consistently earn top marks from chefs, test kitchens, and passionate home cooks.

What Professional Chefs Look For

In a professional kitchen, consistency is everything. Chefs need to replicate dishes perfectly time and time again, and that starts with precise measurements. According to culinary experts, using a scale is non-negotiable for getting exact results, especially for sensitive applications like baking or brewing coffee. They look for scales that offer pinpoint accuracy to ensure every ingredient is measured correctly, which is why high-quality restaurant scales are a staple in any commercial setting. For a chef, a scale isn’t just a convenience; it’s a fundamental tool for quality control that guarantees every customer gets the same great experience.

The Features Test Kitchens Love

Test kitchens are the ultimate proving ground for kitchen equipment. They run tools through countless recipes to see what holds up, and they have a keen eye for user-friendly design. One feature they consistently praise is a large, easy-to-read screen that you can still see even with a big mixing bowl on top. Some scales even have a pull-out display to solve this exact problem. They also favor simple, intuitive controls, like two big, sturdy buttons for power and taring. These thoughtful details make the weighing process faster and more efficient, which is why you’ll often find scales with clear digital scale indicators in their arsenals.

What Real Users Say Matters Most

When you check in with home bakers and dedicated cooks, their priorities echo the pros but with an emphasis on everyday practicality. Real users want a scale that is versatile enough to handle both tiny amounts of yeast and heavy batches of dough. A good scale for home use needs to be accurate, fast, and easy to clean. Home bakers specifically point to a few must-haves: a high weight limit for big recipes, a responsive tare function, and a that will last for years. These features reflect the real-world needs of someone who relies on their scale for everything from making bread to portioning meals.

Your Final Checklist Before Buying a Digital Scale

You’ve explored the features and weighed your options. Before you add a scale to your cart, run through this final checklist. Answering these questions will help you feel confident that you’re choosing a tool that will serve you well for years, whether you’re portioning ingredients in a busy restaurant or perfecting a sourdough starter at home. Think of this as the last step to ensure your new scale is a perfect fit for your kitchen and your routine.

Measure Your Counter and Storage Space

This might seem obvious, but it’s a step people often forget. Before you fall in love with a large-platform scale, take a moment to measure the spot where you plan to use and store it. A scale is only useful if it’s accessible. If you have to dig it out of a cluttered cabinet every time, you’re less likely to use it. Choose a size that fits comfortably on your counter without getting in the way. For smaller kitchens, a compact design that can be tucked into a drawer might be the best choice. For commercial spaces, you might need to find a dedicated spot for one of our larger restaurant scales.

How Often Will You Use It?

Be honest about your habits. Are you a professional baker who will use this scale daily, or a home cook who needs it for the occasional recipe? If you’re an avid baker, a dedicated meal prepper, or someone focused on precise portion control, investing in a durable, feature-rich scale makes sense. If you only need a scale a few times a year, a more basic model will do the job just fine. Your frequency of use will help you decide which features are essential and which are just nice to have, ensuring you get the right tool for your specific needs.

Understand the Maintenance and Care

A kitchen tool should make your life easier, not create more cleanup. Look for a scale with a smooth, seamless surface. Materials like stainless steel or glass are not only durable but also incredibly easy to wipe down after a spill. Avoid scales with lots of buttons, crevices, or raised edges where flour, spices, and liquids can get trapped. A simple, well-designed surface ensures your scale stays hygienic and in great working condition. Easy maintenance is a key feature of our entire , designed for real-world kitchen environments.

Check the Warranty and Customer Support

A good warranty is a sign that a company stands behind its product. Before you buy, check the warranty details and see what kind of customer support is available. A higher price tag doesn’t always guarantee better performance, so knowing you have reliable support can provide peace of mind. As a company with , we know that durability and customer trust are built over time. A solid warranty and accessible support team are just as important as the scale’s accuracy, ensuring your investment is protected.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a digital scale if I’m not a serious baker? Absolutely. While a scale is a baker’s best friend, it’s incredibly useful for all kinds of cooking. It’s the best way to ensure consistent portion sizes for meal prepping or managing your diet. It also simplifies your workflow by letting you measure multiple ingredients in one bowl using the tare function, which means fewer measuring cups to wash later. Think of it as a tool for consistency in all your recipes, from burgers to soups.

What’s the difference between a regular kitchen scale and a “restaurant scale?” The main differences are durability, capacity, and certifications. A restaurant scale is built to be a workhorse, designed to withstand constant use, splashes, and the general chaos of a professional kitchen. It often has a higher weight capacity for handling bulk ingredients and may be NSF-certified, which means it meets public health and safety standards. For home use, this is usually overkill, but for any food business, that reliability is essential.

How do I know if my scale needs to be recalibrated or replaced? If you suspect your scale is losing its accuracy, you can do a simple test. Grab a nickel, which weighs exactly 5 grams. Place it on the scale and see if the reading is correct. If it’s consistently off, or if you notice the numbers fluctuating wildly even when nothing is on it, it might be time for a replacement. Physical damage, like a cracked screen or a platform that no longer sits flat, are also clear signs that it’s time for a new one.

Is it worth paying more for features like a baker’s percentage or nutritional tracking? This really depends on how you cook. If you are a dedicated bread baker, the baker’s percentage function is a fantastic feature that simplifies resizing recipes and saves you from doing complex math. Similarly, if you meticulously track your food intake, a scale with nutritional data can save you a lot of time. However, for most everyday cooking and baking, these features aren’t necessary. A simple, accurate scale with a reliable tare function is all you truly need.

My scale’s readings keep jumping around. Is it broken? Not necessarily. Before you worry, check two things first. Make sure the scale is on a completely flat, stable surface, as any wobbling can cause the sensor to give inconsistent readings. Second, check the batteries. A flickering or unstable display is often the first sign that the batteries are about to die. Swapping in a fresh pair usually solves the problem right away.