The “Cola” Method Taken to Another Level That Works

[crazyhorse]

I've been planning go the HVAC store where I buy chemicals and parts to get me some of the Nu-Calgon Ice Machine Cleaner. The Nu-Calgon website list them as a dealer. I have to go to that town tomorrow so I called today to see if they have stock it. No on the Nu-Calgon but they stock the Atlantic Chemical Equipment variety. They say it works just as well but is much less expensive.

Atlantic Chemical - New Webpage

My experience with ACE products is only with their evaporator coil cleaner. It works just as well as the top-of-the-line Virginia brand but is indeed much less expensive. I'll get a bottle of the ice machine cleaner tomorrow and check it out.

Edit: That was a miscommunication. For some reason the guy at the HVAC supply assumed I wanted nickel safe. That is what they switched to in the ACE brand. For regular liquid cleaner, they still stock the Nu-Calgon.

[crazyhorse]

These huge long threads are so cumbersome read in their entirety. Did I miss any posts that discuss the amazing ability of the Nu-Calgon to strip every trace of paint off an atomizer in the space of a few hours?

[rsngfrce]

These huge long threads are so cumbersome read in their entirety. Did I miss any posts that discuss the amazing ability of the Nu-Calgon to strip every trace of paint off an atomizer in the space of a few hours?

I don't remember that ever being mentioned. Probably depends on the durability of the atomizer paint job... my M401 atomizers were in the stuff on and off for what, something like over 100 hours, and did not loose their paint. I do remember a post in another thread by Kate where she said something (I forget what, but much weaker than NuCalgon) removed the paint from her Janty Kissbox atomizer...

[crazyhorse]

OK thanks rsngfrce. I sure don't recall reading about it so here comes the advisory. (Heheh, like anyone will ever find it in here.)

Nu-Calgon Liquid Ice Machine Cleaner is deadly to the metallic blue paint on a DSE-801 atomizer. The paint came off in sheets in the test tube. If you have these atomizers, definitely plug off the bottom and drip the cleaner inside to an appropriate level and ensure you don't get any on your paint.

[Sun Vaporer]

These huge long threads are so cumbersome read in their entirety. Did I miss any posts that discuss the amazing ability of the Nu-Calgon to strip every trace of paint off an atomizer in the space of a few hours?

CrazyHourse--I can report that that on the many occations I have done this experiment with Nu-Calgon--I have never had any paint come off any of the atomizers-----Sun

[chuckie]

Hi Crazy,
I didn't have any paint problems w/ nu-calgon.It did't remove the paint or the gunk from an atom. that I soaked 3 days @ full strength. Save your money.

[mpetva]

How about using something like this:

h t t p://w w w. espressozone.com/4073-1.html
Urnex Cleancaf is formulated for regular cleaning and descaling of home drip coffee makers and espresso machines. This citrus based cleaner dissolves mineral, lime scale and coffee oil build-up

or this one:
h t t p : / /
ourcoffeebarn.com/estore/product_info.php?products_id=260

or this
h t t p: / / w w w.espressozone.com/4781-1.html

more:
w w w. planetappliance.com/suciacwpotcl.html
SAFE: Non-toxic, biodegradable and edible as food additive or flavoring
DISPOSABLE: Simply pour down drain
EFFECTIVE: Easily removes mineral, scale build-up and hard water stains
ECONOMICAL: Extends the life and performance of your appliance
PERFORMANCE: Clean pot (or appliance) results in better tasting water and food
Do not use on aluminum
Safe and effective cleaner for removing mineral and scale build-up in Hot Water Pots and other kitchen appliances.

w w w. cvcoffee.com. Squeak n Clean Coffee Pot Cleaner


Many other cleaners for drip coffee makers out there. I am jsut trying to think of alternatives that are also food safe. Most of them contain acid to disolve minerals etc.

[crazyhorse]

CrazyHourse--I can report that that on the many occations I have done this experiment with Nu-Calgon--I have never had any paint come off any of the atomizers-----Sun

Hi Sun,

Here they are. Two metallic blue 801 atomizers that were placed in identical individual test tubes of undiluted Nu-Calgon for a period of several hours. Both tubes were identically filled to submerge the atomizers when standing in a rack. These are new atomizers, less than three weeks in house and each with approximately 1½ weeks of usage.

The one on the left appears to be burned in a fire. It was not. The appearance after treatment is so radically different they appear to be made of a different metal. They are not. They are identical SLB atomizers and both are date stamped 20080311.

My guess is the phosphoric acid reacted with the "metallic" paint. Why each atomizer, with identical treatment, came out with a radically different appearance, is anybody's guess.

[kinabaloo]

Yes, most probably because the paint is a metallic paint. Good point. New warning !

[crazyhorse]

The solution to this paint problem is obviously disassembling the atomizer. I did this quite accidentally to a new atomizer when screwing it (tightly) onto a phone jack/mod box. The entire outer casing came right off in my fingers.

Big plus to this... now I can actually see the coil and know what y'all are talking about. Another plus, once disassembled, only a milliliter or so of fluid will be needed to soak the coil soak in a test tube.

A minus is (after seeing the actual construction of these things) I'm seriously wondering how you would ever completely remove all the Nu-Calgon from it. Especially if it remains within the casing.