• Check the stopcock of your burette for proper lubrication, and be sure the bore and tip are clear.
• Fill with solution and place in the burette clamp; the water should be at room temperature.
• Displace any air bubbles from the tip of the burette, and adjust to near the zero mark.
• Allow to stand for a few minutes to check for leakage and read the initial volume to the nearest 0.01 mL. Use a meniscus reader, and be careful to avoid parallax.