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How the Viscgo Sticks work

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How The Viscgo Sticks Test The Thickness Of A Drink

Like all the best solutions, how the Viscgo sticks test the thickness of a drink is really very simple and is based on the following principle …

Depending on the thickness of the liquid and the dimensions and mass of a stick placed in it, the liquid will either be too thin to support the stick which will fall over, or the liquid will be thick enough to support the stick which will stand up, at least for a while.

So, when placed in a drink that is approximately 7cm (3 inches) deep, based on its dimensions and mass, each Viscgo stick is designed to fall within 10 seconds if the drink is below a certain level of thickness and stand for at least 10 seconds if the drink is above a certain level of thickness.

The concept was proven by testing at the University of Liverpool and the Viscgo sticks have been calibrated using standardised liquids at a wide range of temperatures which were verified to adhere to the IDDSI Framework, as tested by Associate Professor Ben Hanson of University College London.

There are five Viscgo sticks. Each stick is coloured and numbered to match the IDDSI Framework Level it has been calibrated to test.

Level 1 Slightly Thick
Level 1 MIN Drink Thickness Test Stick

The grey Level 1 MIN stick (without the white tip) is designed to fall if the drink it’s placed in is thinner than Level 1 but stand if the drink is thicker than Level 0.

Level 1 MAX Drink Thickness Test Stick

The grey Level 1 MAX stick (with the white tip) is designed to fall within 10 seconds if the drink it’s placed in is thinner than Level 2 but stand for at least 10 seconds if the drink is thicker than Level 1.

infographic for Level 1 Slightly Thick drink thickness test

If both grey sticks fall the drink is TOO THIN for Level 1:

If the Level 1 MIN stick (without the white tip) falls within 10 seconds, the drink is thinner than Level 1. The Level 1 MAX stick (with the white tip) will also fall within 10 seconds (as the drink is thinner than Level 2).

too thin for Level 1
Too thin for Level 1

If one grey stick stands and one falls the drink is the CORRECT THICKNESS for Level 1:

If the Level 1 MIN stick (without the white tip) stands for at least 10 seconds, the drink is thicker than Level 0. If the Level 1 MAX stick (with the white tip) falls within 10 seconds, the drink is thinner than Level 2.

correct for Level 1
Correct thickness for Level 1

If both grey sticks stand the drink is TOO THICK for Level 1:

If the Level 1 MAX stick (with the white tip) stands for at least 10 seconds, the drink is thicker than Level 1. The Level 1 MIN stick (without the white tip) will also stand for at least 10 seconds (as the drink is thicker than Level 0).

too thick for Level 1
Too thick for Level 1
Level 1 drink thickness test
Level 2 Mildly Thick
Level 2 MIN drink thickness test stick

The pink Level 2 MIN stick (without the white tip) is designed to fall if the drink it’s placed in is thinner than Level 2 but stand if the drink is thicker than Level 1.

Level 2 MAX drink thickness test stick

The pink Level 2 MAX stick (with the white tip) is designed to fall within 10 seconds if the drink it’s placed in is thinner than Level 3 but stand for at least 10 seconds if the drink is thicker than Level 2.

infographic for Level 2 Mildly Thick drink thickness test

If both pink sticks fall the drink is TOO THIN for Level 2:

If the Level 2 MIN stick (without the white tip) falls within 10 seconds, the drink is thinner than Level 2. The Level 2 MAX stick (with the white tip) will also fall within 10 seconds (as the drink is thinner than Level 3).

too thin for Level 2
Too thin for Level 2

If one pink stick stands and one falls the drink is the CORRECT THICKNESS for Level 2:

If the Level 2 MIN stick (without the white tip) stands for at least 10 seconds, the drink is thicker than Level 1. If the Level 2 MAX stick (with the white tip) falls within 10 seconds, the drink is thinner than Level 3.

correct for Level 2
Correct thickness for Level 2

If both pink sticks stand the drink is TOO THICK for Level 2:

If the Level 2 MAX stick (with the white tip) stands for at least 10 seconds, the drink is thicker than Level 2. The Level 2 MIN stick (without the white tip) will also stand for at least 10 seconds (as the drink is thicker than Level 1).

too thick for Level 2
Too thick for Level 2
Level 2 drink thickness test
Level 3 Moderately Thick
Level 3 MIN drink thickness test stick

The yellow Level 3 MIN stick is designed to fall if the drink it’s placed in is thinner than Level 3 but stand if the drink is thicker than Level 2. There is no Level 3 MAX stick because, if a drink is too thick to pour, it’s too thick for Level 3.

infographic for Level 3 Moderately Thick drink thickness test

If the yellow stick falls the drink is TOO THIN for Level 3:

If the Level 3 MIN stick falls within 10 seconds, the drink is thinner than Level 3.

too thin for Level 3
Too thin for Level 3

If the yellow stick stands and the drink is thin enough to pour, it’s the CORRECT THICKNESS for Level 3:

If the Level 3 MIN stick stands for at least 10 seconds, the drink is thicker than Level 2. If the drink is thin enough to pour, it’s thinner than Level 4. If the drink is too thick to pour, it’s thicker than Level 3.

thick enough for Level 3
Thick enough for Level 3
Level 3 drink thickness test

Full instructions on how to use the Viscgo drink thickness test sticks to quickly, easily and accurately test the thickness of drinks are provided here.