Ultrasonic Cleaners - Which one is right for you?

An ultrasonic cleaner [http://www.sonicsonline.com/] can be an expensive investment. So why not do a little homework up front, and make the best possible decision? These tips will help you to choose the best cleaner for your application.

 Tank size is the first thing to look at. How big is the biggest item you want to clean? Remember, it doesn't have to all fit in the tank. You can clean half of an item, and then flip it around and do the other half. How about gathering a sample of the things you intend to use your ultrasonic on, and base your tank size on the middle 80%? Smaller items are no issue, just do several at a time.

 The next feature that you will notice is often included is heat. Heated tanks can be more expensive, but they are usually worth the added cost. Heat helps the ultrasonic transducers to product cavitation - just make sure you don't go above one hundred and ninety degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, the heat itself introduces turbulence into the water which interferes with cavitation, the process that does all of the cleaning for you. An example of a heated ultrasonic cleaner would be the Crest Ultrasonics CP200HT.

 Once you have your tank picked out, you'll want to take a look at accessories. There are usually a variety offered, and which one you choose is a function of the kinds of parts you are cleaning. Most people can get by just fine with a simple mesh basket. They drain quickly, and some can be placed on top of the tanks, so they drain back into it, saving cleaning solution.

 The final step is picking the chemistry, or soap, for your tank. I recommend that you choose at least two. One should be a general cleaner, that can be used on a wide variety of materials without damaging them. The other should be designed specifically for your most common application.

 Now you are ready to buy, so a final word: you get what you pay for. Ultrasonic cleaners, like many electronic products, are copied and knocked off by some shady characters offshore. Stick with a US based company that you can actually call, and get advice from. You may pay a little more up front, but what cost peace of mind?