What is the temperature range for wheat paste?

• A. 0-20 F
• B. 20-40 F
• C. 45-100 F
• D. 100-140 F

Answer: (C)

Wheat paste works best when its handling and setting are balanced by temperature. It’s a starch-based adhesive, so the liquid part stays fluid enough to spread and bond at room temperatures, but it shouldn’t dry or skin over too quickly. If it’s too cool, the paste becomes stiff and difficult to apply evenly, reducing adhesion. If it’s too warm, moisture evaporates fast and the paste dries quickly, making it hard to position things or causing surface problems like cracking or uneven bonding. Within a comfortable, moderate range, you have a workable open time where the paste is still fluid enough to spread and press into place, but not so slow that it won’t set. That window is roughly 45 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with room-temperature conditions (around 65–75 F) being ideal in practice.