---
title: Why Not A Bostwick Consistometer Calibration Standard?
description: Customers want Bostwick Consistometer Calibrations.   They have to make their own Consistency standards for each  product. No Calibration Standard.
---

[CSC Articles and Commentary ](https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-scientific-blog)

# [Why Not A Bostwick Consistometer Calibration Standard?](https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-scientific-blog/why-not-a-bostwick-consistometer-calibration-standard)

 Written by [Art Gatenby](https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-scientific-blog/author/art-gatenby) | Nov 24, 2021 9:00:00 PM

## **Customers Want Bostwick Consistometer Calibrations.**

When told that CSC Scientific does not calibrate [Bostwick Consistometers](https://www.cscscientific.com/consistometer/bostwick-consistometer/), people ask . “**Then how can I calibrate my consistometer and where can I get a calibration standard?**”.

## Sampling Method Using Your Product

We recommend sampling the selected <http://www.cscscientific.us/Consistometer>product to be measured  using the Bostwick Consistometer. The sample should represent your product in its ideal state. The temperature should be carefully recorded and **[a test run](https://www.cscscientific.com/bostwick-consistometer-test/)**. The time it takes to get about half way down the trough should then be recorded.

This process will set a standard or an expected result for a perfect product. From this baseline, acceptable limits should be set by time. For example, a reading of 16 in 85 seconds might be the standard for a perfect product at 30° C. Acceptable variations **can range** from a reading of 16 in 81 seconds to a reading of 16 in 89 seconds. Again, the product temperature should be 30° C.

## Acceptance Standards Set For Each Product Independently

A similar procedure should be followed for each of your products tested with the Bostwick Consistometer. The standards thus should be recorded in a ***QC results chart ***and stored as reference for ISO or similar quality control inspections.

This table shows typical standards and acceptable limits for **three hypothetical** products:

|   | Marbleized A | Syrup C | Mission 5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Product Temperature** | 30°C | 42° C | 50°C |
| **Distance Standard** | 16 | 17.5 | 15 |
| **Time Standard** | 85 Seconds | 58 Seconds | 42 Seconds |
| **Allowable + Time** | 81 Seconds | 62 Seconds | 46 Seconds |
| **Allowable - Time** | 89 Seconds | 55 Seconds | 40 Seconds |

## Calibration Standards

We have had frequent requests to develop a reference standard for ISO and other quality control inspections. In an attempt to meet these requests, CSC Scientific conducted extensive research to find a suitable material - a material with a consistent viscosity that would repeat results from test to test. The problem we had with seemingly promising materials was a high sensitivity to small temperature changes. After exhaustive experimentation, we concluded that the prevalent effect of temperature on Bostwick Consistometer results abrogated the practicality of a universal standard.

The critical issue in consistent and repeatable **[CSC Bostwick Consistometer](https://www.cscscientific.com/consistometer/bostwick-consistometer)** operation is in the set-up. Leveling the trough is the principal requirement for getting repeatable results on a sample at a fixed temperature.

Establishing and recording Bostwick results on the perfect or quality control standard product is the only practical way to develop a calibration. This should be done with the user’s product at the testing site.

Sorry to have to carry this message. **You have to do your own calibration for each of your products.**

I hope this was helpful to you.  Please share this with everyone who needs to know.

As always a perplexed,

Art

P.S. Did you know that you can subscribe to these exposés, rants, raves and ramblings? *All you have to do is click on the RSS Feed symbol at the upper left *and you will get a notice when a new one is published. Or, if you prefer, you can also subscribe for e-mail notice by jotting your address in the box just to the right of the title.

P.P.S.  If you need A Bostwick now, click on the Order On Line Button.

[View full post](https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-scientific-blog/why-not-a-bostwick-consistometer-calibration-standard)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Art Gatenby"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2022-04-04T19:26:05.975Z",
  "datePublished" : "2021-11-24T21:00:00Z",
  "headline" : "Why Not A Bostwick Consistometer Calibration Standard?",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 139,
    "url" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/75757/file-15478741-jpg/images/bostwicksmall.jpg",
    "width" : 113
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-scientific-blog/why-not-a-bostwick-consistometer-calibration-standard",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60.0,
      "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/75757/CSC300ppi.jpg",
      "width" : 60.000004
    },
    "name" : "CSC Scientific Blog"
  }
}
```