I have spent the last several years baking bread, weighing coffee beans, and portioning meals in our test kitchen here at 7ate9 Bakery. During that time, I have gone through more budget kitchen scales than I can count. Some lasted months, some surprised me, and a few earned a permanent spot on my counter.
If you are looking for the best budget kitchen scales in 2026, you do not need to spend more than $15. I tested eight affordable models across baking, cooking, meal prep, and coffee weighing to find out which ones actually deliver on accuracy, durability, and ease of use.
The best cheap food scale overall is the Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale. It combines 1-gram precision, five measurement units, a backlit display, and 304 stainless steel construction for under $11. But there are seven other models worth knowing about depending on your specific needs, so let me walk you through everything I found.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Budget Kitchen Scales in 2026
Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale
- 11lb capacity
- 1g precision
- 5 unit conversion
- Backlit LCD
- 304 stainless steel
Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale
- 11lb capacity
- BPA-free plastic
- Tare function
- Wide LCD
- Multiple units
Greater Goods Food Scale
- 1g precision
- Four sensors
- Slim profile
- 5-year warranty
- Pre-installed battery
Best Budget Kitchen Scales in (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale |
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| Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale |
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| Greater Goods Food Scale |
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 Ultrean Food Scale |
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 Mik-Nana Food Scale |
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 SOYOK Food Scale |
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 WIWUE GUO Food Scale |
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 NUTRI FIT Food Scale |
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1. Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale – Most Accurate Budget Scale
Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale, Digital Grams and Ounces, 11lb
11lb capacity
1g precision
5 unit conversion
Backlit LCD
304 stainless steel
2 AAA batteries included
Pros
- Supports 5 units (oz/lb:oz/fl oz/g/mL)
- Tare function
- 304 food-grade stainless steel
- Backlit LCD display
- Compact and easy to store
- 2 AAA batteries included
Cons
- Small platform size may be limiting for some users
The Etekcity was the first scale I reached for during our sourdough baking marathon last winter. With 175,000+ reviews on Amazon, it is one of the most popular budget scales ever made, and after using it daily for three months, I understand why. The 1-gram precision held up consistently whether I was weighing 5 grams of salt or 1,000 grams of flour.
The backlit LCD display is a real advantage over competitors in this price range. I could read it clearly even with flour dust on the counter and overhead kitchen lighting creating glare. The five-unit conversion covers ounces, pounds, fluid ounces, grams, and milliliters, which handled every recipe I threw at it.
The tare function responds instantly. I placed a mixing bowl on the platform, pressed tare, and the display zeroed in under a second. That responsiveness matters when you are adding ingredients in sequence during a complex bake.
The 304 food-grade stainless steel surface wipes clean with a damp cloth. After a session weighing sticky dough ingredients, I appreciated that there were no seams or crevices where flour could hide. The scale also includes two AAA batteries, so it works right out of the box.
Ideal for everyday baking and meal prep
This is the scale I recommend most often for home bakers who need reliable accuracy without spending a fortune. The 11-pound capacity covers most baking and cooking tasks, from weighing bread dough to portioning dinner ingredients.
If you do regular meal prep or calorie tracking, the compact size makes it easy to keep on the counter permanently. It slides into a drawer just as easily when not in use.
What to watch for with the platform size
The platform is on the smaller side compared to some competitors. If you regularly weigh large pots, big mixing bowls, or oversized ingredients, the surface area might feel tight. I worked around this by placing a cutting board on the platform and using the tare function.
Reddit users on r/Baking have noted that the small footprint is a trade-off for the low price. For most standard kitchen tasks, it is more than adequate.
2. Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale – Best Value Overall
Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Tare Function, Multiple Units, Weighs up to 11 Pounds, Batteries Included, Black and Stainless Steel
11lb capacity
1g precision
Multiple units
Wide LCD
BPA-free plastic
2 AAA batteries included
Pros
- Food-safe BPA-free plastic
- Stainless steel platform
- Wide LCD screen
- Multiple unit display
- Tare function
- 2 AAA batteries included
Cons
- 2 gram minimum may not suit all precision needs
With a 4.7-star rating across 117,000+ reviews, the Amazon Basics scale earns the highest user satisfaction score in this roundup. I kept this one on my counter for a full month of daily baking and meal prep, and it never gave me a reason to complain.
The wide LCD screen is noticeably larger than what you get on the Etekcity. I could read measurements from across the kitchen counter without leaning over the display. The BPA-free plastic body feels solid for the price, and the stainless steel weighing platform sits flush with the base.
Tare functionality works smoothly. I placed bowls, plates, and even a loaf pan on the platform, and the scale zeroed out consistently each time. The unit conversion button cycles through pounds, ounces, grams, fluid ounces, and milliliters without lag.
The dimensions of 8.3 x 7 x 1.3 inches give this scale a slightly larger footprint than the Etekcity. That extra surface area made a real difference when I was weighing ingredients in a wide mixing bowl during bread baking sessions.
Ideal for first-time scale buyers
If you have never owned a kitchen scale before, this is the one I would point you to. The straightforward two-button interface means there is no learning curve. You press the unit button to switch measurements and the tare button to zero things out.
The reliability factor is significant. Many Reddit users on r/Cooking report their Amazon Basics scale lasting two-plus years with regular use. That kind of longevity at this price point is hard to beat.
What to watch for with the 2-gram minimum
The scale has a 2-gram minimum weight threshold. If you are measuring very small quantities like 1 gram of yeast or 0.5 grams of espresso grounds, the display may not register properly. For coffee enthusiasts needing sub-gram precision, this could be a dealbreaker.
For most baking and cooking tasks, this limitation never came up in my testing. But it is worth knowing if you plan to use the scale for specialty coffee weighing or precise supplement measuring.
3. Greater Goods Food Scale – Best Warranty and Design
Greater Goods Food Scale, Slim & Compact Build, 1g Precision (Ash Gray)
11lb capacity
1g precision
Four sensors
Slim profile
BPA-free plastic
5-year warranty
Pre-installed CR2032 battery
Pros
- Slim and compact design
- 1g precision with four sensors
- Easy one-touch tare function
- Quick unit conversion
- Durable BPA-free plastic
- 5-year warranty
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Non-backlit LCD
- Battery replacement requires disassembling backing
- Button sensitivity can be fussy
Greater Goods stands out in this roundup for one reason that competitors cannot match: a 5-year warranty. In a category where most scales offer one or two years of coverage, that commitment told me this company stands behind their product. I tested the Ash Gray model for six weeks of daily use.
The four-sensor system delivers consistent 1-gram precision. I tested it with calibration weights from 10 grams up to 2,000 grams, and every reading matched. The slim profile takes up minimal counter space, which our team appreciated during a busy holiday baking session where counter real estate was at a premium.
The pre-installed CR2032 battery means the scale works immediately. No digging through drawers for AAA batteries. The unit conversion covers grams, ounces, pounds, and milliliters, which handled all my baking and cooking needs.
The one-touch tare function is the most responsive I tested in this price range. I could place a bowl, tap tare, and start adding ingredients without any delay. The scale also features auto shut-off to preserve battery life during those times you walk away mid-recipe.
Ideal for design-conscious home cooks
The Greater Goods scale comes in multiple colors, which matters more than you might think. If your kitchen has a specific aesthetic, being able to match your scale to your decor is a nice touch that competitors at this price do not offer.
The slim profile means it slides into a kitchen drawer or stands upright on a shelf. For apartment dwellers or anyone with limited storage, this is one of the most space-efficient options I tested.
What to watch for with the non-backlit display
The LCD is not backlit, which is a deliberate design choice to conserve battery. In bright kitchen lighting, this was never an issue. But when I baked early mornings with just under-cabinet lighting, I had to angle the scale toward the light to read the display clearly.
Battery replacement also requires removing the back panel, which is a bit fiddly. The trade-off is that the pre-installed CR2032 lasted through my entire six-week testing period without needing replacement.
4. Ultrean Food Scale – Best for Multi-Unit Needs
Ultrean Food Scale, Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Weight Grams and Ounces for Baking Cooking and Meal Prep, 6 Units with Tare Function, 304 Stainless Steel, 11lb (Batteries Included)
11lb capacity
1g precision
6 unit conversion
Backlit LCD
304 stainless steel
Auto shut-off
Button battery included
Pros
- Contemporary slim design
- 304 stainless steel material
- 6 unit conversion including milk volume
- Backlit display
- Auto shut off for energy saving
Cons
- Very light weight may affect stability perception
The Ultrean caught my attention because it offers six measurement units, including a milk volume mode that none of the other scales in this roundup have. As someone who develops recipes for the bakery, having that milk volume conversion built in saved me from doing manual calculations during recipe testing.
The 304 stainless steel surface feels identical to the Etekcity in terms of build quality. After three weeks of daily use weighing everything from bread flour to chopped vegetables, the surface cleaned up easily with no staining or residue buildup.
The backlit display is bright and readable in all lighting conditions. I tested it in our dim pantry, under bright fluorescent lights, and with natural window light. The numbers stayed crisp and visible in every scenario.
Auto shut-off kicks in after a period of inactivity, which I found useful during meal prep sessions where I would step away to grab the next ingredient. The button battery it uses is less common than AAAs, but it comes included in the package.
Ideal for recipe developers and multi-ingredient cooks
If you work with recipes that reference milk volume in milliliters alongside gram measurements for dry ingredients, this scale eliminates the conversion step. I found it especially useful when adapting European recipes that mix volume and weight measurements.
The slim profile stores easily, and the lightweight design makes it portable enough to move between kitchen stations or take to a cooking class.
What to watch for with the light build
At just 5 grams of listed item weight, this scale is noticeably lighter than competitors. When I placed a heavy cast iron pot on the platform, the scale shifted slightly on the counter. It never tipped or fell, but the lightweight feel gave me less confidence with heavy items.
The button battery is also less convenient to replace than standard AAAs. I would recommend keeping a spare on hand, though the auto shut-off feature helps extend battery life significantly.
5. Mik-Nana Food Scale – Best for Higher Capacity Needs
Mik-Nana Food Scale, 10kg/22lb Digital Kitchen Scale Weight Grams and Ounces for Baking Cooking Coffee Package Postage, 6 Units with Tare Function, LCD Display, Easy Clean Stainless Steel
22lb capacity
1g/0.1oz resolution
6 unit conversion
304 stainless steel
Auto shut-off
Compact design
Pros
- Higher 22lb capacity for larger weighing needs
- 1g/0.1oz precision
- 6 measurement units
- Easy tare function
- Food-grade 304 stainless steel platform
- Compact portable design
Cons
- 2 gram readout accuracy may be less precise than competitors
The Mik-Nana is the only scale in this roundup with a 22-pound capacity, and that alone makes it worth considering. Most budget scales cap out at 11 pounds, which is fine for typical home cooking. But when I needed to weigh a large batch of bread dough or a full pot of ingredients, the extra capacity mattered.
I tested this scale during a bulk baking session where I was making six loaves of sourdough simultaneously. Weighing 4,000-gram batches of flour was no problem at all. The 1-gram resolution held steady even at the upper end of the capacity range.
The six-unit conversion covers grams, kilograms, pounds, ounces, milliliters, and milk milliliters. The auto shut-off triggers after three minutes of inactivity, which I found was the right balance between preserving battery and not interrupting active cooking.
The 304 stainless steel platform measures 7.4 x 5.5 inches, which gave me enough surface area for most bowls and containers. The compact dimensions of the overall unit mean it stores easily when not in use.
Ideal for bulk bakers and meal preppers
If you regularly cook in large batches, do monthly meal prep, or bake bread in quantities that exceed 11 pounds total, this is the scale for you. The extra capacity headroom means you will not run into the max-weight error that plagues standard budget scales.
The affordable price point for a higher-capacity scale makes this a standout value. Most 22-pound scales cost significantly more.
What to watch for with readout precision
While the resolution is listed as 1g/0.1oz, the readout accuracy is listed at 2 grams. This means that while the display shows 1-gram increments, the actual measurement certainty is closer to plus or minus 2 grams. For most home cooking, this difference is negligible.
For precision baking where every gram matters, such as pastry or macaron work, you might notice slight inconsistencies. I recommend using calibration weights periodically to verify accuracy if you are doing precision baking.
6. SOYOK Food Scale – Best Compact Stainless Steel Option
Food Scale, 11lb Kitchen Scale with 6 Units Tare Function & LCD Display, 0.05oz/1g Stainless Steel Digital Food Scale Grams and Ounces for Baking, Cooking, Dieting and Meal Prep (Batteries Included)
11lb capacity
1g/0.05oz precision
6 unit conversion
304 stainless steel
Auto shut-off
Night vision LCD
2 AAA batteries included
Pros
- 11lb capacity with 1g/0.05oz precision
- 6 unit conversion
- Automatic overload protection
- Low battery warning mode
- Auto shut-off after 2 minutes
- Night vision mode for dark environments
- Rounded corner design with anti-slip bases
Cons
- Some units arrived with quality issues
- Occasional accuracy inconsistencies
- Blue protective film needs to be peeled off
The SOYOK scale ranked number seven in Amazon’s Digital Kitchen Scales category during my testing, which is impressive for a budget brand. The standout feature for me was the night vision LCD mode, which illuminates the display in dark conditions for early-morning or late-night cooking sessions.
The 6-unit conversion covers grams, kilograms, pounds, ounces, milliliters, and milk milliliters. I used this scale primarily for coffee weighing over a two-week period, and the 0.05-ounce precision was more than adequate for pour-over and espresso dosing.
The rounded corner design with anti-slip bases kept the scale planted on my counter even when I placed heavy bowls on the platform. The waterproof stainless steel surface handled spills without any liquid seeping into the electronics.
One detail that stood out was the automatic overload protection. When I accidentally placed a pot that exceeded the 11-pound limit on the platform, the scale displayed a warning instead of giving a false reading. That kind of safeguard is rare at this price point.
Ideal for coffee enthusiasts and precision cooking
The 0.05-ounce precision makes this scale suitable for coffee weighing, which requires finer granularity than typical baking. If you brew pour-over coffee or use an espresso machine, this scale handles the small measurements you need without requiring a separate coffee scale.
The compact size and night vision display also make it practical for camping or travel cooking setups where space and lighting are limited.
What to watch for with quality control
Some users reported quality control issues including rusty battery compartments and missing springs in some units. I did not experience these problems with my test unit, but the reports are worth noting. The blue protective film on the stainless steel surface must be peeled off before first use, and some users miss this step.
I also noticed occasional accuracy inconsistencies when weighing the same object multiple times. The variance was within 1-2 grams, which is acceptable for home cooking but worth knowing about for precision bakers.
7. WIWUE GUO Food Scale – Best for Versatile Unit Options
Food Scale, Kitchen Scale, Weight Scale
11lb capacity
1g precision
6 unit conversion
Backlit LCD
304 stainless steel
Non-slip platform
Auto shut-off
2 AAA batteries included
Pros
- Accurate measurements down to the gram
- Tare function works well for measuring in bowls
- Easy to switch between 6 units
- Sleek modern design fits any kitchen
- Stainless steel surface easy to clean
- Backlit LCD display easy to read
- Lightweight and compact for storage
Cons
- Button presses can cause slight weight registration
- Sometimes scale doesn't reset to zero properly
The WIWUE GUO scale offers six unit conversion options, covering grams, pounds, ounces, milliliters, milk milliliters, and kilograms. During my testing, I found this versatility especially useful when working with international recipes that use different measurement systems.
The non-slip platform was a feature I did not know I needed until I used it. The scale stayed firmly planted on my granite counter even when I placed a heavy ceramic bowl on the edge of the platform. Other budget scales I tested would shift or wobble under similar conditions.
The backlit LCD is bright and clear. I measured flour, sugar, and liquid ingredients at various times of day, and the display remained readable in every lighting scenario. The auto shut-off feature helped conserve the included AAA batteries during longer baking sessions.
The stainless steel surface cleaned easily after each use. Even after weighing sticky honey and oily peanut butter, a quick wipe with a damp cloth was all it took to restore the surface to its original condition.
Ideal for cooks who use international recipes
If you frequently cook from European, Asian, or Australian recipes that use metric measurements, having all six units available at the push of a button saves constant conversion calculations. I used this scale to adapt several British baking recipes, and the milk milliliter mode was genuinely useful for custard and cream-based desserts.
The modern white design also fits seamlessly into lighter kitchen color schemes where stainless steel and black scales might look out of place.
What to watch for with sensitive buttons
The touch-sensitive buttons can register slight weight changes when pressed firmly. I noticed this when using the tare function with a heavy bowl on the platform. The solution was to press buttons gently, but it took some adjustment.
Some users also reported that the scale occasionally fails to reset to zero properly after multiple tare operations. I experienced this once during testing. Powering the scale off and back on resolved the issue immediately, and it did not recur during the remainder of my testing period.
8. NUTRI FIT Food Scale – Most Affordable Option
NUTRI FIT Food Scale Kitchen Scales Digital Weight Grams & Ounces Black
11lb capacity
0.1oz/1g precision
4 unit conversion
Ultra-slim design
ABS plastic
Smart tare
Fingerprint resistant
CR2032 battery
Pros
- Ultra-slim space-saving design
- 0.1oz precision for accurate measurements
- Smart tare function
- Large weighing panel
- Clear LCD display
- Fingerprint resistant coating
Cons
- Plastic material instead of stainless steel
- Non-rechargeable coin battery
At under $5, the NUTRI FIT is the most affordable scale in this roundup and possibly the cheapest digital kitchen scale worth buying. I was skeptical going in, but after three weeks of daily use for meal prep and basic baking, it earned my respect for delivering functional accuracy at an unmatched price.
The ultra-slim profile is genuinely impressive. At roughly the thickness of a smartphone, this scale slides into any drawer or even sits between cookbooks on a shelf. The fingerprint-resistant coating on the ABS plastic surface kept it looking clean even after handling flour-covered hands.
The 0.1-ounce precision is better than I expected at this price. I tested it with 50-gram and 100-gram calibration weights, and the readings were accurate within a 1-gram tolerance. For basic home cooking and portion control, this level of accuracy is more than sufficient.
The smart tare function zeros out containers quickly. I used it with bowls, plates, and measuring cups during a meal prep session, and it responded consistently each time. The four-unit conversion covers pound-ounces, grams, milliliters, and fluid ounces.
Ideal for students and first apartments
If you are setting up a first kitchen on a tight budget, this scale gives you functional weighing capability for less than the cost of a coffee. It is perfect for college students, anyone moving into their first apartment, or as a backup scale to keep in a pantry.
The slim design also makes it ideal for small kitchens where counter and storage space are limited. It takes up less room than a standard hardcover book.
What to watch for with plastic construction
The ABS plastic construction is the main trade-off at this price. Unlike the stainless steel surfaces on more expensive competitors, plastic can stain and scratch over time. I noticed minor surface marking after cutting ingredients directly on the platform, which I would not recommend.
The CR2032 coin battery is also non-rechargeable and less convenient to replace than AAA batteries. However, the auto shut-off feature after three minutes of inactivity helps extend battery life considerably. I used the scale for three weeks without needing a replacement.
How to Choose the Best Budget Kitchen Scale
Choosing among the best budget kitchen scales comes down to understanding which features actually matter for your cooking style. After testing eight models, here are the factors I consider most important.
Accuracy and Graduation
Graduation refers to the smallest increment a scale can display. Most budget scales offer 1-gram graduation, which is adequate for baking and general cooking. If you need sub-gram precision for coffee or supplement weighing, look for scales with 0.1-ounce or finer graduation like the SOYOK.
I tested accuracy using calibration weights at 10g, 50g, 100g, 500g, and 1,000g. All eight scales passed within acceptable tolerance ranges, but the Etekcity and Amazon Basics delivered the most consistent readings across all weight levels.
Capacity
The standard capacity for budget kitchen scales is 11 pounds (5 kilograms). This covers most home cooking and baking tasks. If you regularly cook in large batches or weigh heavy pots, consider a higher-capacity option like the Mik-Nana with its 22-pound limit.
During testing, I found that scales perform more accurately in the middle of their capacity range. If you consistently weigh items near the maximum, the readings can become less reliable.
Tare Function
The tare function zeros out the weight of containers so you only measure the ingredient itself. This is non-negotiable for any kitchen scale. Every model in this roundup has it, but responsiveness varies.
The Greater Goods and Etekcity had the fastest tare response times in my testing. Some cheaper models showed a one to two second delay, which is manageable but noticeable during fast-paced cooking.
Build Material
Stainless steel platforms are easier to clean and more durable than plastic. They resist staining from ingredients like turmeric, coffee, and oil. All but one scale in this roundup feature 304 food-grade stainless steel.
The NUTRI FIT uses ABS plastic, which keeps the price low but shows wear more quickly. If durability is a priority, stick with stainless steel models.
Display Readability
A backlit LCD display makes a real difference in kitchen conditions where lighting varies. The Etekcity, Ultrean, WIWUE GUO, and SOYOK all feature backlit displays. The Greater Goods uses a non-backlit LCD to conserve battery, which requires brighter ambient lighting.
Forum users on Reddit consistently cite display readability as a major frustration with budget scales. I recommend choosing a backlit model if your kitchen has variable lighting.
Battery Type
AAA batteries are the most convenient because they are widely available and affordable. The Etekcity, Amazon Basics, WIWUE GUO, and SOYOK all use AAA batteries. CR2032 coin batteries, used by the Greater Goods and NUTRI FIT, last longer but are harder to find replacements for.
The Ultrean uses a button battery, which falls somewhere between AAA and CR2032 in terms of convenience. All scales in this roundup include batteries with purchase.
FAQs
What is the best cheap food scale?
The Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale is the best cheap food scale overall, offering 1-gram precision, five measurement units, a backlit display, and 304 stainless steel construction for under $11. The Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale is the best value alternative with the highest user rating of 4.7 stars.
How accurate are budget kitchen scales?
Quality budget kitchen scales are accurate to within 1 gram, which is sufficient for baking, cooking, and meal prep. In testing with calibration weights, models like the Etekcity, Amazon Basics, and Greater Goods delivered consistent readings across all weight levels. Accuracy can degrade over time, so periodic recalibration with a known weight is recommended.
What should I look for in a kitchen scale?
Look for at least 11-pound capacity, 1-gram precision, a responsive tare function, a stainless steel platform for easy cleaning, and a backlit LCD display for readability. Additional features like multiple unit conversion and auto shut-off add convenience. A warranty of at least one year indicates manufacturer confidence in build quality.
What is the best kitchen scale for baking?
For baking, the best budget kitchen scales are the Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale and the Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale. Both offer 1-gram precision essential for flour and yeast measurements, reliable tare functions for sequential ingredient additions, and stainless steel platforms that clean easily after messy baking sessions.
How do you use a kitchen scale?
Place the scale on a flat surface, turn it on, and place your container on the platform. Press the tare button to zero out the container weight, then add your ingredient until the display shows the desired weight. Use the unit button to switch between grams, ounces, pounds, or milliliters as needed. Turn off the scale after use to preserve battery life.
Wrapping Up the Best Budget Kitchen Scales
After testing eight models across weeks of daily baking, cooking, and meal prep, the Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale remains my top pick for best budget kitchen scales in 2026. Its combination of accuracy, build quality, and features at under $11 is difficult to beat. The Amazon Basics scale is the best value pick for first-time buyers, while the Greater Goods earns top marks for its 5-year warranty and slim design.
You do not need to spend more than $15 to get a reliable, accurate kitchen scale. Any of the eight models in this roundup will serve you well for home cooking and baking. Pick the one that matches your specific needs, and start weighing your way to more consistent results in the kitchen.
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