Steeping Times and an Ultrasonic Cleaner Part III

[mikepetro]

Gotcha. The first time, my plastic bottles were floating. I've since bought all glass and transferred them.
120F. I'll use my thermometer next time. Not good to put bottles directly on the tank bottom?
Man, that basket makes for a nice, long rattle!

You really want to avoid putting bottles straight on the bottom. That deadens the sound waves. It is like putting your finger on a speaker. Learn to live with the rattle. I will often set the timer to 99 minutes and then turn it on just before I leave the room so I dont have to put up with it.

 

[mikepetro]

Gotcha. The first time, my plastic bottles were floating. I've since bought all glass and transferred them.
120F. I'll use my thermometer next time. Not good to put bottles directly on the tank bottom?
Man, that basket makes for a nice, long rattle!

In that Monster you have, you probably dont need to turn the heat on at all. The ultrasonic activity will heat the water plenty, possibly even too much. I know that on mine I never use the heat for juice, and if I am doing multiple cycles I will often swap out some of the hot water and fill it back up with cold in between cycles. Try it with room temp water with the tank about half full, then set the timer for an hour and see how hot it gets so you can get a feel for your particular machine.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

Great idea

 

[Exchaner]

Deleted by choice

 

[Moodyfisherman]

So i had 2-Cabelas gift cards with $86.00 left on them total....started looking at ultrasonic cleaners and wallah...found one with a 30-minute timer, 35k frequency, heater and it only cost me $34.00 out of pocket and a trip to the local store.....Hornady® Lock-N-Load™ Sonic Cleaner 2L : Cabela's

I see a late night marathon mixing adventure in my future guys and gals.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

No pun intended but, I am sadly blown away.

 

[alex1]

I use the 2.5L version and I have been very pleased with it.

Just got my UC in the mail. It is GB-928 1L 50 watt model made in China with basket and CD and watch holder.
First time put it on 30 min cycle - THE NOISY .......! It's unbearable. I just can't stay in the same room for hours.
Anyone else has the same problem?
Any clues how to reduce the noise?
I'm thinking to send it back for refund.

 

[Gfinch]

Just got my UC in the mail. It is GB-928 1L 50 watt model made in China with basket and CD and watch holder.
First time put it on 30 min cycle - THE NOISY .......! It's unbearable. I just can't stay in the same room for hours.
Anyone else has the same problem?
Any clues how to reduce the noise?
I'm thinking to send it back for refund.

If it's so noisy you can't stand it then I would send it back. Not much good if it drives you to distraction to use it, especially since it will be running for several hours in a day of UC steeping.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[rowdyplace]

Stack 3 - 4 old mousepads under it. That cured my problem - for the most part.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

It's the basket. While running, lift the basket up a little and see. Mine too!!! With mine, the timer also makes a noise but not nearly as much as the basket! Loose metal on metal. I'm gonna make some sort of gasket to put on the basket or, rim of the unit.
Lemme know if it's as bad with the basket not touching the unit itself.

 

[Aviz]

Help...
I got the BlackHillsGoldSource Model 890 , steeped (in the bottles) for hours... nothing. what am I doing wrong?
Do you recommend removing the basket? (I tried both...). I put my finger in it and did the aluminum foil test (it punched through it) so I think it works but I did not feel much when put my finger in. is it defective? which model do you recommend ? (hopefully under $60...)

 

[Aviz]

Its only dangerous for people with chronic kidney disease (anything with phosphates - specially coke I wouldn't recommend anyone to drink it (phosphates bind to calcium\mg\oxalates and form kidney stones).

Yes, it is safe. Reloaders use ultrasonics to clean brass shell casings all of the time, in fact many UCs are marketed just for that purpose.

I would use a weak Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) solution. Thats what we use at work in our big 500 gallon UCs and is probably the most common cleaning agent used in UCs unless it is a very special application.
Dap 63001 TSP All Purpose Cleaner, 1-Pound - Amazon.com
(note: I didnt shop around for best price, just grabbed the first link I could find)

 

[alex1]

It's the basket. While running, lift the basket up a little and see. Mine too!!! With mine, the timer also makes a noise but not nearly as much as the basket! Loose metal on metal. I'm gonna make some sort of gasket to put on the basket or, rim of the unit.
Lemme know if it's as bad with the basket not touching the unit itself.

Thanks for the tips everyone.
I tried to pick up a bit the plastic basket. It's better, but still very annoying high pitch noise.
Besides it is not big enough for other use - my RUGER MK 3 does not fit in the tub.
I sent it back for refund. Currently use $10 crock pot from walmart for steeping.

 

[JohnDaddyo]

Remember, that a crock pot is only going to provide warm water. No ultrasonic reaction. I would find out from each vendor if there is a best temperature to steep it at? What I found was that most folks were recommending cheap, in price machines. While I can't say "the sky is the limit" That is not my criteria for something like this. I'm sure you can now attest to that.You don't want to say after the fact, Darn! I wish I got the better one!
Research first!

 

[ValHeli]

I'm lucky enough to have one of these in my lab

 

[Triphamr]

Digging this thread, very helpful in my quest to DIY and perfect the steep process.

 

[Sl4gathor]

Quick question, I mixed up 10ml test batch, 2.8 hours in the UC last night and today. Check'd it a minute ago, smells awesome but
when I started, there a was a very slight amber to the liquid, now, it is completely clear.
I mixed 10% Hangsen Turkish, 2 drops/ml ACV, and 1% EM. I figured it would get a little more amber looking not clear up, any ideas?? Maybe it's done....

Gonna let it sit tonight and try it tomorrow...

 

[dannyv45]

Quick question, I mixed up 10ml test batch, 2.8 hours in the UC last night and today. Check'd it a minute ago, smells awesome but
when I started, there a was a very slight amber to the liquid, now, it is completely clear.
I mixed 10% Hangsen Turkish, 2 drops/ml ACV, and 1% EM. I figured it would get a little more amber looking not clear up, any ideas?? Maybe it's done....

Gonna let it sit tonight and try it tomorrow...

It should be amberish. 2 drops per ml ACV is way to much and that's likely the problem. Recommended is 1 - 2 drops per 5ml. I would leave out the ACV it will mute flavor over time. ACV is best used to liven up old juice that has already muted. I would recommend .5% (Point five or one half of 1%) EM. EM is not really a sweetener it's more of a smoother that adds thickness and a side benefit is it will enhance sweetness to an already sweet mix but will not add further sweetness if no sweetness is already present (Such as a dry tobacco). I also find 7% good on hangsen tobacco flavors but some have gone to 9%. I never saw anyone use 10%.

 

[Sl4gathor]

I ment 2 drops per 5ml, theres 4 total..

I will leave it out next time

 

[dannyv45]

I ment 2 drops per 5ml, theres 4 total..

I will leave it out next time

I would just leave it out.