Steeping Times and an Ultrasonic Cleaner Part III

[dannyv45]

Actually I make 5ml batches in a 6 ml vile and that leaves some room for adjustments. So 6 - 8ml test samples in a 10 ml vile should work perfectly.

As far as a UC this is what I use.

Amazon.com: Joy4Less Professional Grade Ultrasonic Cleaner 4810, 30-min Timer, Plastic Basket: Electronics

As far as long cycles you need to monitor the heat. Above 120F is not good so I recommend 30 minute cycles. If your going to use longer cycles use a meat thermometer to monitor the water temp.

 

[tw33k]

Got the UC up and running! I can now see the small unit I was using wasn't doing the job! This one will make holes throught alum foil in about 30 seconds. The small one wouldn't make holes in the foil no matter how long you left it in. Starting out with cold water this one get's up to 129 degrees in 59 minutes run time,without the heater turned on. I make mostly fruit flavored juice,so about 1 hour seems to be right. They are comming out of the UC much darker than I've ever seen them before. This machine wasn't the one I was wanting. I tried to cancle the order,and thought I had,but it was already shipped after checking the tracking! But it seems to do the job well so far,so I'm happy with the results. View attachment 284613

That looks like the one I just got. It's running now. Is yours loud? Mine is and I don't know whether or not it's normal.

 

[dannyv45]

That looks like the one I just got. It's running now. Is yours loud? Mine is and I don't know whether or not it's normal.

If you here a loud buzzing noise, that is normal. You can quiet it a bit by using a plastic basket if one was supplied and filling the water to the max line.

 

[tw33k]

I thought it was normal but wasn't sure. Thanks. It came with a steel basket which I'm using so I think everything's OK. Guess I'll know in a few hours.

 

[crxess]

Mine isn't quite as nice. Picked up one of these:

No heat, but I know how to heat water.
Hopefully it will get the job done. Does have a 30 minute cycle time.

 

[JohnnyDill]

Regarding modifying the timer to go past 8 minutes.... That is exactly what I was thinking. I have seen some ultrasonics with mechanical timers that can be put to a "hold" setting for indefinite vibes, but these devices are beastly and command big dollars. Someone needs to figure out a "manual over-ride" for these smaller machines that are ideal for steeping!

 

[Mowgli]

Regarding modifying the timer to go past 8 minutes.... That is exactly what I was thinking. I have seen some ultrasonics with mechanical timers that can be put to a "hold" setting for indefinite vibes, but these devices are beastly and command big dollars. Someone needs to figure out a "manual over-ride" for these smaller machines that are ideal for steeping!

Cool, Bob Seger! Thanks for Mongrel and Live Bullet

I've been rocking a piece of Merrick dog food kibble to the on button since April.
Pretty good for a $30 Harbor Freight POS

 

[JohnnyDill]

Haha, I hear the Seger thing often. So, that piece of dog food jams the on button? If so, I have a 25% coupon at that place!

 

[tw33k]

Well, I'm definitely now a true believer in the benefits of a UC. Soaked some Bobas Bounty and Gorilla Juice (and a couple others including my DIY juice which I've never seen so dark before) for 3 hours and I'm very impressed. I've been wondering why all the hype around these juices and now I know. Thanks to this thread I'll be enjoying my juices a lot sooner from now on.

 

[dannyv45]

Well, I'm definitely now a true believer in the benefits of a UC. Soaked some Bobas Bounty and Gorilla Juice (and a couple others including my DIY juice which I've never seen so dark before) for 3 hours and I'm very impressed. I've been wondering why all the hype around these juices and now I know. Thanks to this thread I'll be enjoying my juices a lot sooner from now on.

Another satisfied customer

 

[redfro]

Cool, Bob Seger! Thanks for Mongrel and Live Bullet

I've been rocking a piece of Merrick dog food kibble to the on button since April.
Pretty good for a $30 Harbor Freight POS

I have that same one, and I just jammed a flat toothpick in between the button and the lid so the button stays down. It's worked great, and if/when it dies from me running it WAY longer than it's supposed to I'll get a better one. Or another cheapy...

 

[Mowgli]

I have that same one, and I just jammed a flat toothpick in between the button and the lid so the button stays down. It's worked great, and if/when it dies from me running it WAY longer than it's supposed to I'll get a better one. Or another cheapy...

I'd get this again.
When I got it I figured that I'd have gotten my money's worth if it lasted a month.
$3 per month (so far) is a great investment

 

[mikepetro]

That looks like the one I just got. It's running now. Is yours loud? Mine is and I don't know whether or not it's normal.

I have had a similar model for about 8 months now, I absolutely love it. Yes it does make a somewhat loud metallic humming noise, especially when compared to the smaller home units.

 

[hngntuf]

Howdy folks, I need some advice on a unit I found at a decent price. 11 quart, no heat, 15 minute timer, and most importantly 67k H. I know 42K is ideal, but how would this higher rate affect the outcome? Thanks

 

[KurrptSenate]

I'm not sure why I've only learned about this recently, but I'm definitely purchasing one in the next two days.

 

[Bruce Nye]

Hmmm, GMTA...

I just started using an old Ultrasonic cleaner to steep about 6 weeks ago on a whim. I hadn't tuned into the board in a while and now look, here's a 92 page thread on the subject. Well, I'm not going through the whole thing to see if anyone's explained the physics of it yet, suffice it to say I know them. Any questions ask.

Does it work? Fantastically! I can steep my complex Kashmir tobacco blend in about 30min compared to 2 weeks (shake, 10min, repeat x2).

I also use it to clean heads. 1st they have to be dejuiced (soak in some Everclear for 30min) then put 'em in the tank for a cycle (30min). Finally dry and dry-burn, then back in the tank for another cycle (clears the crust/ash off the coils). Gives me two uses before recoiling/wicking the Kanger heads.

I'll clean tanks and mech's with it too. Be aware that getting the microbubbles from the ultrasound needs a wetting agent. I use a very small drop (what sticks to a toothpick) of dishwashing soap added to the water and bingo.

The unit I use is an ancient denture cleaner from Clairol (small tank 42kHz unit) that I've used in my shop for cleaning Dremel bits and small findings from jewlery and furniture hardware. Picked it up 20 years ago at a garage sale for a 5 spot.

 

[Oggy]

Hi OGGY! Sorry I didn't see your post sooner, but, yes I use 100% VG. Was doing 5 hours but switched to 6 & it's even better. Usually try to steep w/ cap loosened or off for 2 days following. Not entirely necessary w/ 6 hours. W/o the USC steeping took 4 - 8 weeks.
Best of luck.

Thanks thought it might be a bit longer but still work. I am still waiting for my UC should be here soon. I have 5 new SCVZ flavors mixed up ready to speed steep. Thanks for the great thread everyone.

 

[yellowbox]

Regarding modifying the timer to go past 8 minutes.... That is exactly what I was thinking. I have seen some ultrasonics with mechanical timers that can be put to a "hold" setting for indefinite vibes, but these devices are beastly and command big dollars. Someone needs to figure out a "manual over-ride" for these smaller machines that are ideal for steeping!

Just sharing...

I have a UC with a fixed 3 minute timer and an arduino microcontroller lying around so I figured this could solve the problem. I wired the UC switch to a relay driven by the arduino. Modified the cycle by turning off the UC before the timer kicks in, pauses for a second and turns the UC on again. I programmed the arduino to loop through the cycle until total run time is 30 minutes, wait for 30 minutes, and then repeats the process. This is repeated 6 times for a total run of 3 hours. I'm thinking of adding a temperature sensor to but for now, works fine for me

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[Cromeus]

So what's currently the best deal for under $100? Only one I've found in stores around here was a $30 Walmart POS with the majority of the reviews being 1 star

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[dannyv45]

This is what I've been using for the past 6 months and it works great.

Amazon.com: Joy4Less Professional Grade Ultrasonic Cleaner 4810, 30-min Timer, Plastic Basket: Electronics