FAQ – Why Is My Scale Reading Unstable?

❓Q1: Can I put the scale on a coffee mat, cup mat, towel, or carpet?

✅ A:  No.

Even if the table underneath is hard, a soft or flexible layer can compress and cause tiny rocking or uneven support. Place the scale itself directly on a hard, flat, stable surface.

❓Q2: The filter paper is moving slightly. Can that affect the weight?

✅A: Yes. Moving filter paper is an easy visual warning that air is reaching the setup.

Turn off or redirect the fan/AC, move away from the vent, and retest only when the paper is completely still.

❓Q3: Can I use the scale near the edge of a hard, flat countertop?

✅A:  Only if all four feet are completely supported. 

A hard, flat countertop is not sufficient when one foot hangs over the edge or remains unsupported. Place the entire scale inside the countertop area and check that it cannot tilt or rock.

❓Q4: What other vibrations can make the number move?

✅A:  Touching the table, footsteps, closing a door, a running grinder, refrigerator, pump,

or other appliance can transmit vibration. Test on a stable counter without touching it and move the scale away from operating equipment.

❓Q5: Can static electricity or nearby electronics cause unstable readings?

✅A:  They can in some environments.

Keep wireless chargers and transmitting devices away during the test.

Avoid rubbing dry plastic, synthetic cloth, or clothing near the scale, as these can build static charge.

❓Q6: Is the scale fully charged before shipping?

✅A: No. The scale is not fully charged at the factory. Please fully charge it before first use.

❓Q7: What charging cable and charger should I use?

✅A:  The package includes a USB-C charging cable but does not include a charger.

use your own 5V/1A charger.

Do not use a fast charger. Fast charging will not make the scale charge faster;

it only creates extra heat and may damage the battery.

❓Q8: Should I recharge the scale during long periods of non-use?

✅A: Yes.

Recharge the scale periodically even when it is not used for a long time. This helps keep the battery active and supports long-term battery health.

❓Q9: Should I use the heat-insulation pad under a hot glass server?

✅A:  Yes, always.

Place the heat-insulation pad on top of the scale before setting down a hot glass server. Long-term direct contact with heat can accelerate aging of the weighing-surface material and may damage the scale’s internal precision components.

❓Q10: Why is the display stuck on “8888” after I turn on the scale?

✅ A: “8888” is the startup self-test display.

Do not touch, press, or hold any button on the screen until the self-test is complete.

Holding a button during startup can prevent the scale from completing its self-test.

An unstable, tilted, uneven, or wobbling surface can cause the same problem.

Restart steps: Turn the scale completely off. Move it to a hard, flat, level, stable surface, with all four feet fully supported and no rocking. Turn it on again, then keep your hands away from the scale and all buttons until the normal weighing display appears.

👍Place the scale on a flat and stable surface.

🥰 Keep away from airflow interference.

IMPORTANT: Understanding Espresso Mode on Your TIMEMORE Basic 3 Black Mirror Scale

Before You Begin — Please Read This First

Espresso Mode is a smart, flow-sensitive mode designed exclusively for real espresso extraction scenarios. It behaves differently from other weighing modes, and understanding how it works will help you get the most out of your scale.

How Espresso Mode Works

Espresso Mode uses automatic flow-rate detection to determine when an espresso extraction has started. Here’s the key logic:

Common Misconception: “The scale keeps resetting to zero — is it defective?”

No — this is normal and expected behavior.

Before the scale detects a valid espresso flow, it treats all weight changes as pre-extraction preparation (e.g., placing a cup, positioning a drip tray, adjusting a portafilter). The scale automatically tares these out so that when extraction begins, your reading starts cleanly from zero.

This means:

• Pouring water by hand (e.g., from a kettle or pour-over style) produces a flow rate far greater than a real espresso extraction.

• The scale will not recognize this as an extraction — it remains in the “waiting” state.

• Any weight registered during this stage will be tared to zero automatically.

• The timer will not start.

In short: even though you have selected Espresso Mode, it has not truly activated yet.

How to Confirm Espresso Mode Is Working

The single most reliable indicator is the timer:

Timer starts counting automatically = Espresso Mode is active and running.

Timer stays at 00:00 = Espresso Mode is still waiting for a valid extraction flow.

Testing Without an Espresso Machine

If you’d like to test Espresso Mode manually without a machine:

1. Place a cup on the scale and switch to Espresso Mode.

2. Pour water in the thinnest, slowest stream you can manage — try to mimic the gradual drip of an espresso shot.

3. Watch the timer. Once it starts on its own, the mode has activated successfully.

4. Stop pouring — the weight and timer should flash, confirming the cycle is complete.

Tip: A normal espresso extraction produces roughly 30–45g of liquid over 25–35 seconds. Try to approximate this pace.

Quick Reference

For the complete guide to all scale modes, please refer to the user manual included with your product.

Important Notice

Due to material differences, the digital display on the white scale is less clear than the black version. We recommend choosing black if display visibility is a priority.

Thank you for your understanding.

How to Choose Between Basic 2 & Basic 3 Coffee Scales

Pick Basic 2 if you:

• Are a beginner home barista or casual coffee drinker

• Only brew pour-over coffee (no espresso brewing required)

• Have budget constraints and want a cost-effective core option

• Only need essential features: pour-over mode + flow rate display (no espresso mode or coffee-to-water ratio function)

• Don’t require ultra-precise measurements (0.5g minimum weighing meets basic needs)

Pick Basic 3 if you:

• Are a serious coffee enthusiast or home barista focused on workflow optimization

• Brew both pour-over and espresso (needs a dedicated espresso mode)

• Value precision for specialty coffee (0.2g minimum weighing, a big upgrade from Basic 2’s 0.5g)

• Want advanced tools: coffee-to-water ratio function for consistent, easy brewing

• Need enhanced anti-interference (reliable in kitchens with multiple electronic devices)

• Prefer longer battery life (280 full-charge uses vs. Basic 2’s 240, ~16% more usage between charges)

Final Takeaway