Do I need a kitchen scale for German baking? Do you really need a kitchen scale for German baking? In this quick video, I explain why so many German recipes use grams and when a scale makes the biggest difference. Key Takeaway: You can bake without a kitchen scale, but a scale makes German baking more accurate and repeatable. Common Mistake: Scooping flour straight with the measuring cup and accidentally adding more than the recipe was meant to have.