Testing TA without a speed stirrer ... in what direction am I most likely to be off?

[bordelond]

I've just been doing the TA test by swirling the tube in one hand while adding drops with the other. I know it's not perfect swirling -- sometimes my hand stops, or I don't keep the rhythm perfect.

Given that: compared to using a speed stirrer ... does hand-swirling lead to a lower TA number or a higher one?

 

[Richard320]

For TA, I don't know firsthand. But my CH went down considerably when I switched to the speedstir.

 

[woodyp]

Based solely on my FC testing--which always tests lower using the speed stir--I'd say hand swirling will tend to test higher. I wouldn't think anything over 10 points though.