Steeping Times and an Ultrasonic Cleaner Part III

[SlickWilly]

Zombo -

I agree with returning the unit you currently have. The Harbor Freight one - http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html - is far superior.

Looking at this link, there is a 25% off coupon. (Hmmm $85 minus 25% = $64.00) That is not a bad deal, especially if you live near a Harbot Freight store. Looks to me like there are five (5) in your area - http://www.harborfreight.com/storelocator/location/map

I found mine on sale, last summer, and after using the 25% off coupon (always available) I think I got mine for about $47.00. You might want to wait for a sale...

Good luck!!

I like mine as well other then the timer limit, I wish I could set it for a half hour or so for steeping. But when I bought mine my intent was to use it for cleaning my fired rifle and pistol brass for reloading and the timer fits that need just fine. It wasn't until after I had mine for some time I started to tinker with DIY juice and found this thread. If I was to buy one today it wouldn't be the HF unit, I'd get one with a longer timer. Some day I'm going to get inside mine and see if I can put a manual switch in and bypass the timer, then I can run it off a timer you plug into an outlet.

 

[SlickWilly]

That's disappointing and you are absolutly right to return it. And with an 8 minute timer it's more of a hastle to use it then anything else. Spend a little more and get yourself something decent.

This is what I've used for a year now and it is very sturdy and works very well. It has a 30 minute timer and heat. It maintains 150F (Heater will automatically shut off at 150F) which is the perfect temperature for steeping. It's got a large tank, I can fit 15 - 20 1oz bottles at once if need be but has a small foot print so it can fit almost any where. I've ran up to 4 cycles one after the other without allowing a cool down period and never had an issue. This thing is built like an armored tank.

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

I agree, for steeping that would be the way to go.

 

[SpRoOoOo]

Hey guys,
I just purchased this 2L 2 L Ultrasonic Cleaner Tight Fitting Lid Large Timer 11OV 60Hz Widely Be Used | eBay . what your guys take on it ??

 

[dannyv45]

That should work very nicely for you.

 

[2naphish]

thanks for the link. i just bought a couple of years worth of syringes for $20...

 

[Raztax]

Ive been using this UC for a few months now. Its a little more expensive than the others Ive seen posted but I love it. Variable temp and 20 minute timer.
Also works great for making Lip C
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00FWUM6W8/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?qid=1419443513&sr=8-16&pi=SX200_QL40

 

[bobalex]

Happy Holidays GUCE-ers

 

[SlickWilly]

thanks for the link. i just bought a couple of years worth of syringes for $20...

Got a link for those that you'd want to share?

 

[Tamer El-Meehy]

Guys...I got this one from amazon:

BlackHillsGoldSource Model 890 Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner - 30 Minute Timer

I can hear it buzzing and the two bottles I put in it are shaking and moving around with the vibrations...but after the first time I used it I don't see any bubbles in the water..could it be because I used hotter water? (I didn't measure its temperature, but it was from the kettle..and definitely below the boiling point)..did I screw up or what?

 

[Mowgli]

Tamer - hold a strip of aluminum foil in the water while it's running. It should shortly develop pin holes.

 

[Tamer El-Meehy]

OK..thanks! Will do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jpasint]

Guys...I got this one from amazon:

BlackHillsGoldSource Model 890 Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner - 30 Minute Timer

I can hear it buzzing and the two bottles I put in it are shaking and moving around with the vibrations...but after the first time I used it I don't see any bubbles in the water..could it be because I used hotter water? (I didn't measure its temperature, but it was from the kettle..and definitely below the boiling point)..did I screw up or what?

From I what I have read, no bubbles is a good thing since air/oxygen in the water dampens the UC waves.

My UC actually has a mode to degauss (can't remember if that's the word they used) the liquid to rid it of air.

So I think you are good to go since over time while simply using your UC, the air/oxygen will be purged to the point you really shouldn't see many bubbles if any.

I would still do the aluminum test though if I was you.

 

[dannyv45]

It sound to me to be operating correctly and it don't sound like you screwed things up. It's not uncommon for bubbles to disapate. As long as you here the high pitch sound, see ripples and movement of the bottles and the water maintains a temperature it's operating correctly.

 

[Tamer El-Meehy]

Thanks guys and the foil test confirms it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobalex]

Hi All,

Just made up a new batch in My New Glass bottles and 30 eight minute cycles later ... Vaping Fun. Just wanted to check in and say hi and wanted to show off my New Toys:



I've gone over to the "Dark Side" with a mechanical mod and Aspire's (sub ohm) Atlantis tank. I wanted to try out a new flavor from Ecig Express (American Tobacco) and 4 hours later I was puffing away. My UC still hasn't died yet but it's starting to make waaaaaay more noise than it used to. And the fateful day it gives up I'm going with Danny's model and a blissful 30 minute timer.

So long for now.

Bob

 

[ShelaghDB]

Hmmm. I was really happy with my new delivery from Amazon.ca today until I found this thread. I had been looking for any info on these machines last week and was hunting high and low and never saw this forum till today. No where else i looked had valuable insight into this topic.

So, heres my dilemma.
I just purchased this one for about $48 I think it was in full
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001DKDAVW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

But I don't make my own juice.
This is simply to steep the juice I have purchased.
I just bought 5 x 250 mls juice from Jughead in Alberta and have about 8 x 30ml bottles of his.
So I figured I wast going to use this machine that often.

IF at any point i do make my own juice I will worry about it then but not sure, as much as I love Vaping, I will stick with it forever. I might. I just don't know yet.
Only graduated to sub ohm yesterday.
Between the hubby and I we have about 3-4 set ups each.
But all still relatively new so not filthy yet.
Secondary reason was to clean jewellery but again, to be honest, I rarely wear jewellery anymore as i work at home so...they will likely be cleaned every so often.

Hence, figured i did not need to spend $200 + and after already having spent about $1000 just in the past 2 months alone for Vaping, I thought i would try and save some cash and buy this one.
We have been vaping almost a year and have spent quite a bit along the way..lol

BUT, after reading many posts here, I am not sure that this is the one to use. At the same time, I don't want to spend $150+ right now. IF i have to I will but Id rather not as I cant really rationalize it not making/selling juice of my own.


So......reading all of that, IS this going to do the trick or not?
I now understand it only does a 3 minute cycle and doesn't have hot water.
I figured id do a few cycles and put almost boiling water in the tank?

IF i were making my own or selling, I wouldn't think twice and would buy a professional version.....
You can tell from my post I am still trying to rationalize it all but would prefer not to have to send this back to Amazon and reorder unless this is really considered an awful dud by you all after reading what I need it for.


Thank you in advance!

 

[bobalex]

...

So......reading all of that, IS this going to do the trick or not?
I now understand it only does a 3 minute cycle and doesn't have hot water.
I figured id do a few cycles and put almost boiling water in the tank?

IF i were making my own or selling, I wouldn't think twice and would buy a professional version.....
You can tell from my post I am still trying to rationalize it all but would prefer not to have to send this back to Amazon and reorder unless this is really considered an awful dud by you all after reading what I need it for.

Thank you in advance!

Hi ShelaghDB,

An Ultrasonic Cleaner that only does a 3 minute cycle will Do The Trick.

But ...

Hopping up every 3 minutes gets old very fast.

If you're just steeping pre-made juice it's probably bearable.

But ...

The moment you start thinking seriously about making your own e-liquid remember ... you'll be resetting the dang thing at least 100 times.

My first UC had a 3 minute limit. Drove me nuts. Then I "upgraded" to a model that had an 8 minute limit. Better but still ...

Danny45 suggested this model:

Amazon.com: iSonic® Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner P4810 for Brass Cleaning, 30-min Timer, Solution 1Pt: Electronics

which was only a few bucks more than the "upgrade" I bought. I'm currently waiting for my UC to die (it's wheezing now) so I can get a real upgrade to 30 minutes. The heat function on my UC died and I go the "add hot water" route. To sum up:

A 3 minute UC model will work. If you jump into DIY you'll really want the 30 minute timer.

Bob

 

[Mowgli]

That's basically the same model I've been using for almost 2 years.
I use an elastic band to hold down the on button with a piece of dog food kibble.
I just use the plug for on/off.
I let it run for about 45 minutes at a time more or less.
It's performed flawlessly for 5-15 hours/week for $30

Here's mine - http://www.harborfreight.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-3305.html

Yours will do the job. good choice.

Hmmm. I was really happy with my new delivery from Amazon.ca today until I found this thread. I had been looking for any info on these machines last week and was hunting high and low and never saw this forum till today. No where else i looked had valuable insight into this topic.

So, heres my dilemma.
I just purchased this one for about $48 I think it was in full
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001DKDAVW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

But I don't make my own juice.
This is simply to steep the juice I have purchased.
I just bought 5 x 250 mls juice from Jughead in Alberta and have about 8 x 30ml bottles of his.
So I figured I wast going to use this machine that often.

IF at any point i do make my own juice I will worry about it then but not sure, as much as I love Vaping, I will stick with it forever. I might. I just don't know yet.
Only graduated to sub ohm yesterday.
Between the hubby and I we have about 3-4 set ups each.
But all still relatively new so not filthy yet.
Secondary reason was to clean jewellery but again, to be honest, I rarely wear jewellery anymore as i work at home so...they will likely be cleaned every so often.

Hence, figured i did not need to spend $200 + and after already having spent about $1000 just in the past 2 months alone for Vaping, I thought i would try and save some cash and buy this one.
We have been vaping almost a year and have spent quite a bit along the way..lol

BUT, after reading many posts here, I am not sure that this is the one to use. At the same time, I don't want to spend $150+ right now. IF i have to I will but Id rather not as I cant really rationalize it not making/selling juice of my own.


So......reading all of that, IS this going to do the trick or not?
I now understand it only does a 3 minute cycle and doesn't have hot water.
I figured id do a few cycles and put almost boiling water in the tank?

IF i were making my own or selling, I wouldn't think twice and would buy a professional version.....
You can tell from my post I am still trying to rationalize it all but would prefer not to have to send this back to Amazon and reorder unless this is really considered an awful dud by you all after reading what I need it for.


Thank you in advance!

 

[ShelaghDB]

Bobalex: Thanks, I checked it out and had I seen that first, then yes, I would have bought it. Having seen Mowglis post after, I think I am going to stick with this for now as its confirmed by the two of you that it will do the job.

If I do start to make my own juice, which BTW I did not even realize was an option until I read this thread, then I would certainly go for a bigger and more professional version.
I was a bit disappointed at how small this one was but at moment, my usage is going to be so small that at the cost of sending this one back, and having then to wait for another one to arrive, I am going to keep this one for now and live with it.

Thanks for helping me to make a rational decision about this one.

Mowgli: ( same, above, Thank you)

Quick 2 questions if you don't mind? Or for Bobalex to answer as you both know what you are talking about..
This one really is smaller than I realized for I thought i was going to be dropping a few 250ml plastic bottles into it and the lid would close.

I see i am going to have to rethink this.

1) Do you leave the lid open when using bigger/taller bottles OR must it be closed? I saw mention somewhere else that it didn't need to be but I am not sure how well informed that poster was??!!


2) Assuming i cannot leave the lid open, thereby making 250ml bottles impossible to use, the next best thing I see would be to use 1 of 4 much smaller bottles and steep each bottle individually as I go along? It will create more work. As I will get about 6-8 smaller bottles out of one of the 250ml ones but as I will be using this juice over the next few months plus longer I don't have to do it all today and perhaps by the time i do make it to the middle f the bottles and lower, they will have naturally steeped a great deal by then anyhow. I assume that this wold be the best method in which to take?


3) I have at this moment, predominantly plastic bottles. I have 3 favourite larger bottles, likely 60 mls or some such size with eye droppers inside. Will those break in this and or is plastic more durable?

4) Is it best to just tie whatever I do put in there with one elastic so they are not bobbing all over the place, assuming i do a few small bottles at a time?


Thanks again for all of your help. I really did not want to have to send this back and wait again

 

[ShelaghDB]

I use an elastic band to hold down the on button with a piece of dog food kibble.

that was a smart idea lol