Steam-cleaning vs. Ultrasonic cleaners?

[bushmaster]

I've considered an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning attys from time to time. I see that Harbor Freight has a deal going right now. Shipping and taxes are pretty high afterward though.
I already have a steamer--one of those household appliances that have a jet nozzle fine for blowing out attys as long as you have some serious gloves.
Anyway, has anyone compared the results of a steamer vs an ultrasonic cleaner? I'd be curious to know your opinion.

 

[Mvgratz]

Yep, I have both. I prefer the speed and results of the bissel "Steam Shot" I have over the sonic cleaner. The only draw back to the steam cleaner is having to wait for it to cool down afterwards before being able to store it. Minor inconvienance considering how well it works...

I also read an interesting post by one of the major atty suppliers saying that sonic cleaners could cause they early demise of attys by vibrating the coil connections loose. Never had it happen to me, but suppose it could....

 

[Bogey]

I have a cheapo ultrasonic, and I just got my shark delivered to the front door yesterday. So I guess I am saying, I don't know yet... Sorry that wasn't very helpful.

 

[Big Hitter]

I have both sitting right next to me.

I've used the steam cleaner twice .... and had to steam them afterwards to get the result I was looking for.

Used the steam cleaner at least 50 times now

So for me its steam for the win !!!
It more convenient if you do several at a time (though I did 40+ once and that sucked).

I mad a special pair of pliers to hold them. Took some cheap pliers and filled the () with RTV Silicone.
Let it harden then sliced down the middle with a razor blade. Now I have a pair of pliers with soft rubber jaws to hold the atty while I clean .... No scratchy scratchy

I rinse first with hot hot water. Then it only takes 15-20 seconds per atty with the steamer.
I do both directions but always finish through the battery connector.
The nice thing is after steaming they are not really that wet. If you blow them out with compressed air you can vape right away on them.

I have enough that I usually just put them in my ammo rack to finish drying.

 

[lordbyron77]

I love my ultrasonic cleaner, I also wash my Reo aluminum with this system (only demineralized water)

 

[mlinky]

OK, I now have both the ultrasonic cleaner (filled with cheap vodka) and the Shark Steamer (filled with cheap water). I just steam cleaned an atty that had been cleaned several times in the ultrasonic cleaner and dry burned, but was still not right. The steam cleaning fixed it, so my conclusion...Shark FTW!!

Now what do I do with all of this cheap vodka?

 

[hairball]

OK, I now have both the ultrasonic cleaner (filled with cheap vodka) and the Shark Steamer (filled with cheap water). I just steam cleaned an atty that had been cleaned several times in the ultrasonic cleaner and dry burned, but was still not right. The steam cleaning fixed it, so my conclusion...Shark FTW!!

Now what do I do with all of this cheap vodka?

Buy some orange juice.


I use and ultrasonic cleaner. I don't have a steam cleaner...sorry no help here really. I guess I'll invest in one and see how it goes.

 

[Mvgratz]

OK, I now have both the ultrasonic cleaner (filled with cheap vodka) and the Shark Steamer (filled with cheap water). I just steam cleaned an atty that had been cleaned several times in the ultrasonic cleaner and dry burned, but was still not right. The steam cleaning fixed it, so my conclusion...Shark FTW!!

Now what do I do with all of this cheap vodka?

To quote Ron White..."I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party."

 

[dspin]

You people are making me buy a shark steamer

 

[mwa102464]

The problem with the cheap type Ultra sonic cleaners like the harbor freight one for $25 or how ever much it is this week is they have a 3 min shut off timer and you have to keep going back to reset it for another run, plus there is no temp control or heater in them. If your going to buy an Ultra sonic cleaner that really does a proficient job at cleaning Atty's you need one of the more expensive ones that has a temp setting and has longer run times to really get the gunk off the coil and get these Atty's really clean. I would take a pressured steam cleaning over a cheap Ultra Sonic every time, but I would take a $200 ultra Sonic over a cheap steam cleaner As always, you get what you pay for !

 

[mlinky]

You people are making me buy a shark steamer

Mudflap has posted when the deal a day site has them for 12.99 http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/reos-mods/162335-deals-n-specials-thread-34.html#post4050277

That's where I got mine.

 

[bushmaster]

Hey, that's the cleaner and the deal that inspired me to create this thread. Guess I won't march down that road. Thanks for the heads-up, everyone.

The problem with the cheap type Ultra sonic cleaners like the harbor freight one for $25 or how ever much it is this week is they have a 3 min shut off timer and you have to keep going back to reset it for another run, plus there is no temp control or heater in them. If your going to buy an Ultra sonic cleaner that really does a proficient job at cleaning Atty's you need one of the more expensive ones that has a temp setting and has longer run times to really get the gunk off the coil and get these Atty's really clean. I would take a pressured steam cleaning over a cheap Ultra Sonic every time, but I would take a $200 ultra Sonic over a cheap steam cleaner As always, you get what you pay for !

 

[zodduska]

Can't comment on how well ultrasonic works but I'll say a bit about steam cleaning.

What I do is cut an end off of a carto condom then slide that over the atty with a drip tip on it and hold on to it with pliers. The drip tips I use for this give me a really good seal to shoot high pressure steam through the atty. I have had some trouble with 306 atties and steam cleaning though, it seems like too much pressure is applied and forces something down towards the connection and they get "clogged" not really sure what but its annoying - something to avoid.

 

[figment_oyi]

i use a steam cleaner have to do them a few times to get tough smelling juices out

 

[Bogey]

Mudflap has posted when the deal a day site has them for 12.99 http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/reos-mods/162335-deals-n-specials-thread-34.html#post4050277

That's where I got mine.

Me too. Thanks Tripp!

 

[SammyT]

how about this... looks like i'm getting an espresso machine If i buy anything else vape related this month my wife will kill me. just so happens that she has been chomping at the bit to get an espresso machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMOMWwy1KGU&feature=youtube_gdata_player


A red dirt REOnaut!!

 

[SammyT]

if that link doesn't work im sorry. still new at this whole iPhone thing lol. it is a video by shan burkholder stemming an atty with an espresso machine steamer. yeah baby!!


A red dirt REOnaut!!

 

[mlinky]

LOL, that will work!

 

[Mvgratz]

Here's where I got my Bissel. MUCH better quality than the steam minnow...
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices