Methods for determining the gelation period of a gel solution are provided. The methods provided include introducing an inert ball into each of a plurality of gel solution containers having a gel solution therein. In the method, the inert balls are then allowed to sink to the bottom of the containers, followed by a step of repeatedly inverting a first gel solution container at specified time intervals until the onset of gelation of the first gel solution is observed. Methods further include repeatedly inverting an additional gel solution container at specified intervals where each of the subsequent gel solution containers containing the inert balls and gel solutions are sequentially inverted in series until the inert ball is observed to remain fixed in place in the solution.