Determination of Variability Due To Sample Location The variation in moisture content as affected by sample location within the oven was determined by selecting 18 samples from the lowest moisture content lot and randomly placing them in the oven, nine on each shelf. Using the procedure for weighing as outlined above, the apparent moisture content of the samples was determined at 4 and 20 h using an oven temperature of 130°C. .Apparent' moisture contents were computed based on the sample weights at selected drying times for the corresponding oven temperature.