The “Cola” Method Taken to Another Level That Works

[Sun Vaporer]

I was able to get a close up photo using the Macro Mode. Anyway, before the cleaning, all you could see was a thick coated residue and could not see the coil at all. Now you can see the coil and the residue is almost totally gone. Thanks again Terrapon for the original idea as well as Kinabalooo for his work, and Stone for suggesting this product and to everyone in the community here that tries to find solutions the problems we encounter with our devices----Again read the disclaimers and use at your own risk should you decide to experiment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!--Sun

 

[Nuck]

That's friggin' amazing. I need a new camera.

You've also converted me from the 'why bother' camp to the atomizer extended life camp.

 

[StoneE4]

Think thats US only. Pete and I are in GB.

Hmm... I didn't know the phrase (and link) "Find an International Wholesaler" on Nu-Calgon's "Where to Buy" page meant "US only"... But, I guess you learn something new every day, eh?

 

[surbitonPete]

Well done sun ......I was sure we had to find something in the end ...if we all kept on experimenting....all experiments are worth trying and worth being repeated by loads of people.

 

[StoneE4]

Hey Sun, I just wanted to clarify which product you used because you posted about the product claiming is was nickel-safe... You did use the Liquid Ice Machine Cleaner, not the Nickel Safe Ice Machine Cleaner, right?

 

[ZambucaLu]

I don't think so - I can see an Avatar showing an obese person gyrating with folds of flab flopping about in a sickening manner. Can't you see it?

Well, I was just going to take a bite of my sandwich.....suddenly lost my appetite.

TMI. TMI.

Thanks E!

Lu

 

[Fat B*stard]

Hmm... I didn't know the phrase (and link) "Find an International Wholesaler" on Nu-Calgon's "Where to Buy" page meant "US only"... But, I guess you learn something new every day, eh?

Yeah, right. "International Wholesaler" dude. 2.5 litres has already been quoted as a retail amount - how much do you think we wanna buy????????

 

[exogenesis]

Good picture SunV,
don't happen to have the 'before' picture as well do you?

Nice to see the steel metal wick hasn't blackened or corroded
(it did with strong sulphuric acid).

Would you say there were any rinse-out probs at all?

 

[Fat B*stard]

Besides which, its our language and it means what we want it to mean - you are only using it under license!

 

[Sun Vaporer]

Hey Sun, I just wanted to clarify which product you used because you posted about the product claiming is was nickel-safe... You did use the Liquid Ice Machine Cleaner, not the Nickel Safe Ice Machine Cleaner, right?

Stone, that is correct. They carry many different brands and types in the stores I went into. I wanted to use the FDA food grade stuff for the experiment seeing I was the "guinea pig" and the atomizers work great. Note that none of the "cold' atomizers I have came back to life, only the "whimpy" ones.

I have concluded that residue is in fact breaking the contact when it builds up and that the "wimpy ones" still have a good contact, but the residue coating was in fact creating a coating over the coil that does not allow enough heat to disipate as Terraphon had reported. So for me, a solvent that dissolves this residue is what is needed before the build up creates a heat issue and eventually snaps the coil connection. ----Sun

 

[jbbishop]

This got me thinking about other descalers they use for coffee machines like Dezcal (Urnex Activated Descaler), a citric acid-based descaler that will remove mineral build up. This formula is nontoxic and biodegradable.
Ingredients: Citric Acid, Aluminum Salts, Sulfamic Acid.

If strong phosphoric acid works how about citric acid?

You can get a packet of citric acid at the local brew shop for about a buck and dissolve it in a small amount of some liquid and give it a try!

 

[Sun Vaporer]

Good picture SunV,
don't happen to have the 'before' picture as well do you?

Nice to see the steel metal wick hasn't blackened or corroded
(it did with strong sulphuric acid).

Would you say there were any rinse-out probs at all?

Exogenesis--I did not know how to use this "Macro Mode" before. A friend walked me through it this morning. I looked like all the rest of them--a long glob of gunk and no visible sign of the coil. At the 3 hour mark was I able to start seeing a hint of the outline of the coil come through. This one was soaked for 14 hours. For my saftey, just to be sure I rinsed it for 15 minutes to get all the solvent off. I do not know it that was excessive--but figured I would play it safe. Notice in the picture the coil is lifted from the residue--that is what causing these atomizers to go cold as the residue snaps the connection. ---It was a good experiment----Sun

 

[Fat B*stard]

I don't think any old acid will do Bish. Phosphoric acid seems to work because it is "nickel-friendly". I'm no chemist and if anyone knows better, please chip in.

 

[Fat B*stard]

"I looked like all the rest of them--a long glob of gunk and no visible sign of the coil." LMAO!

 

[StoneE4]

Yeah, right. "International Wholesaler" dude. 2.5 litres has already been quoted as a retail amount - how much do you think we wanna buy????????

8 ounces is too much for you?

This conversation reminds me of the movie Dogma...

Bartleby: We're going home. (holds out a newspaper article) Somebody sent us this in the mail. (he pauses; Loki just gawks at him) Take it, man. And quit leering at me. People are gonna think I just broke up with you or something.
Loki: You did just say we're going home, right?
Bartleby: Read.
Loki: "Cardinal Glick cuts ribbon on Catholicism, Wow! compaign." And?
Bartleby: You have to keep reading.

 

[exogenesis]

SunV,
yes it's quite noticable that the wick is now not in contact with a lot of the coil,
Looks more like the fibre bundle has been 'squished' rather than
(or as well as) the coil pushed out.
I wonder if that atomizers works properly, even in the clean state.

Perhaps regular 'prevention' phosphoric acid soaks would stop them
getting like that inthe first place.

 

[Princessdee]

PrincedssDee--I used an Ice Maker Cleaner Straight--

Remember, that these are chemicals and it is not the indented purpose of the product.

Thanks, Sun.

I make soap for a living. I use lye all day long, I'm very aware of chemicals and what they can do to you (I use a mask for my lye part)

I appreciate your help AND the warnings. ~ dee

 

[jbbishop]

Found this somewheres:

"I ran across a product marketed by the Dairyland Brand as STEROSOL MILKSTONE REMOVER AND ACID RINSE. It most definitely is food grade and is non foaming. The main ingredient is Phosphoric Acid (75% solution) plus surfactants, dye, and water. The final percentages work out to 56.33% phosphoric acid and 43.67% of water, surfactants, and orange dye.
I found my Milkstone Remover at my local Tractor Supply Store (after doing a Google search). I even found some guys in the U.K. talking about it definitely being the cheapest way to buy phosphoric acid.
Soooo..... anyone want to guess the price for a gallon in the US?
$7.83 per GALLON! I got 2 gallons... this stuff cleans lime and hard water deposits off of your shower head, etc. Check your local farm supply store and ask for Milkstone Remover. You will be glad you did."

There should be cheaper sources out there here's the first thing that came up on a google search for ice machine cleaner: $1.40 for 8 oz.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4E310?cm_mmc=Google Base-_-HVACR-_-A/C Refrigeration-_-4E310

 

[ZambucaLu]

So would this be the same strength as the one Sun used?

Lu

 

[CandyGirl]

Thanks, Sun.

I make soap for a living. I use lye all day long, I'm very aware of chemicals and what they can do to you (I use a mask for my lye part)

I appreciate your help AND the warnings. ~ dee

wow. Dogma meets Fight Club.