Ultrasonic cleaning questions (1 Viewer)

[PLOdonk]

Alright so I’ve read all the threads and have seen all the pictures, but I’m hoping to get a bit of clarification about ultrasonic cleaning the chips.

1. What’s the point of the salad spinner? Do they need movement? I heard someone mention just pushing them around with a wooden spoon, is that good enough?
2. Temperature and time? I’ve seen a wide range of suggestions for different chips, but as a standard for THC chips, is 1 minute at 42 degrees enough?
3. Magic eraser, is it necessary? Does it hurt the chips? Should I just spot clean them with the magic eraser, or hit every single one?

Anything else I’m missing?

 

[BearMetal]

The salad spinner is to move the chips and ensure that all surfaces get exposed. The chips tend to stick together and if a face isn't exposed, it won't get cleaned. A wooden spoon wouldn't effectively get all of the chips in every swipe.

Temperature and time are dependent on the chip; 42 degrees seems standard; I wouldn't go higher. I've gone lower actually, especially on older chips. I usually do 30 seconds and then take them out and rinse them and inspect them. If they need more, then they go back in. Normally, mine are in for less than 1 minute (between 30s and 45s).

Magic eraser does "hurt" the chips. It's equivalent to a really fine sandpaper. You are taking material off (like crosshatching). Most people use ME on the rolling edges, but it's not necessary if you're using an ultrasonic. Also note that the ultrasonic is also "hurting" the chips. Although it can use the tiny bubbles/cavitation in between things like the cross hatching and the Hats/Canes, it also removes material. This is why your water is usually the color of hookers mixed with the base chip color when you're done.

 

[PLOdonk]

if a face isn't exposed, it won't get cleaned.

I guess I don’t understand how an ultrasonic cleaner works. I assumed because the chips are submerged, they were cleaned all the way around? What if I flipped the chips between cycles?

 

[Astra]

@BearMetal Got any recommendations, or will a $100 unit off Amazon suffice?

 

[PLOdonk]

@BearMetal Got any recommendations, or will a $100 until off Amazon suffice?

That’s what I’ve got. A Vevor 6L. It works pretty good… I think? I’m also hitting the chips with the ME and some mineral oil, but I’m not sure how to improve the outcome/reduce time.

 

[BearMetal]

I guess I don’t understand how an ultrasonic cleaner works. I assumed because the chips are submerged, they were cleaned all the way around? What if I flipped the chips between cycles?

The ultrasonic uses tiny bubbles to cause a cavitation effect. It relies on the ability to form those bubbles on exposed surfaces. However, chips have a tendency to want to stick to each other in the water; almost a suction effect. The salad spinner agitates them just enough to break them apart so their faces are exposed. Flipping the chips between cycles implies they are just in there on the bottom; you would want to use a cage to suspect them, and you'll get much fewer per batch.

Also, you really don't want some sides exposed longer than others - you'll get fading. The salad/tumble method is there to ensure that all surfaces of each chip get exposed as consistently as possibly.

@BearMetal Got any recommendations, or will a $100 until off Amazon suffice?

It all comes down to transducers, right? If the unit has 2, it won't perform as well as one that has 3. Good luck figuring out how many the unit has. Vevor published some tech documents which is how we found out that the 6L is the first unit in their lineup that has 3. Smaller units have 2.

My advice is to use eBay and get a Vevor 6L (or equivalent). The prices run between $100 and $140 depending on the week. I got mine for about $100 3 years ago.

 

[PLOdonk]

The ultrasonic uses tiny bubbles to cause a cavitation effect. It relies on the ability to form those bubbles on exposed surfaces. However, chips have a tendency to want to stick to each other in the water; almost a suction effect. The salad spinner agitates them just enough to break them apart so their faces are exposed. Flipping the chips between cycles implies they are just in there on the bottom; you would want to use a cage to suspect them, and you'll get much fewer per batch.

Also, you really don't want some sides exposed longer than others - you'll get fading. The salad/tumble method is there to ensure that all surfaces of each chip get exposed as consistently as possibly.


It all comes down to transducers, right? If the unit has 2, it won't perform as well as one that has 3. Good luck figuring out how many the unit has. Vevor published some tech documents which is how we found out that the 6L is the first unit in their lineup that has 3. Smaller units have 2.

My advice is to use eBay and get a Vevor 6L (or equivalent). The prices run between $100 and $140 depending on the week. I got mine for about $100 3 years ago.

Cool, that’s the one I’ve got now.

I’ve tried to purchase a salad spinner and get the whole rig going… but I must’ve bought the wrong kind and it didn’t work out. I’m wondering if it’s really that necessary, or if there’s any other way I can achieve the same effect?

 

[casinochipper22]

the chips sit in a bin under water and should be moved around during the cleaning. I didn't have a salad spinner, so I used salad tongs. (keeping with the salad theme of course) I dump 20x chips in for 20-30 seconds, and the whole time I slowly move the tongs along the bottom of the bin to make sure all chips keep moving around slowly.

It does the trick with me, no salad spinner needed, and a lot cleaner too.

 

[casinochipper22]

another pro tip that's helped me, I soak the chips in regular water for about 5-10 minutes before cleaning them in the US. it looks like it helps, soften up all the crap before the US blasts it all off.

 

[PLOdonk]

the chips sit in a bin under water and should be moved around during the cleaning. I didn't have a salad spinner, so I used salad tongs. (keeping with the salad theme of course) I dump 20x chips in for 20-30 seconds, and the whole time I slowly move the tongs along the bottom of the bin to make sure all chips keep moving around slowly.

It does the trick with me, no salad spinner needed, and a lot cleaner too.

Ahhhh, that’s what I wanted to hear. I’d hate to have to buy another salad spinner then go through the whole rigging process.

If the chips aren’t *that* dirty, is soaking them in water first still a good idea? Really none of the chips are gross, they’re just casino used and I figured this would be the best way to give them a rinse.

 

[casinochipper22]

If the chips aren’t *that* dirty, is soaking them in water first still a good idea?

i just do it with all my chips. but i'm sure it works fine without. the soak is apart of my routine now. the first thing I do i soak the chips I'm cleaning. then I get everything else set up. so its not too much extra time.

you can try some with and without a soak and see if it's even worth it.

 

[PLOdonk]

i just do it with all my chips. but i'm sure it works fine without. the soak is apart of my routine now. the first thing I do i soak the chips I'm cleaning. then I get everything else set up. so its not too much extra time.

you can try some with and without a soak and see if it's even worth it.

Will do. Thanks for the info!

 

[allforcharity]

Using the salad spinner is easy, not as rough on the chips as stirring with a wooden spoon. It doesn't have to be constant turning - I turn it 1/3 to 1/2 way around every 10-15 sec. Most chips require 1min or less, but the worst could easily require 2-3min.

 

[Goldfish]

IMO if you are going to use magic eraser anyway then just use magic eraser and not the ultrasonic. I use my ultrasonic so I don’t have to scrub every chip with magic eraser.

When I use my US I am cranking thru 1000 plus chips. No way I am scrubbing all those chips by hand. And definitely get the salad spinner - it makes it easy to move the chips around while cooking and easy to get them in and out of the US quickly. Without it the the efficiency goes way down.

 

[Taghkanic]

Alright so I’ve read all the threads and have seen all the pictures, but I’m hoping to get a bit of clarification about ultrasonic cleaning the chips.

1. What’s the point of the salad spinner? Do they need movement? I heard someone mention just pushing them around with a wooden spoon, is that good enough?
2. Temperature and time? I’ve seen a wide range of suggestions for different chips, but as a standard for THC chips, is 1 minute at 42 degrees enough?
3. Magic eraser, is it necessary? Does it hurt the chips? Should I just spot clean them with the magic eraser, or hit every single one?

Anything else I’m missing?

I use a salad spinner *without* the ultrasonic for all but the most difficult jobs.

I put faux tsp and hot-ish water into the spinner base without the basket at first, to let it dissolve. Not boiling, but not just lukewarm.

I use roughy 8-9 cups of water to 2 tablespoons of the faux TSP.

Then lower the chips in with the basket, put on the spinner top, and spin it for about two minutes.

I usually stop a couple times and use a utensil to stir them a bit to make sure none are sticking together.

I’ve done as many as 200 at a time this way, but 1-1.5 racks is better.

If any chips appear to need more cleaning, I select those out and add them to the next batch.

This manual spinning with faux TSP means I don’t really need the ultrasound, as I’m not buying truly grody chips. And it requires no modification of the basket (besides marking it with a skull and crossbones so no one uses it for lettuce). Just use as-is.

I also find the basket and base useful for the water-oiling method. Lets you lift the chips up and down through the surface very easily.

 

[BearMetal]

I use a salad spinner *without* the ultrasonic for all but the most difficult jobs.

I put faux tsp and hot-ish water into the spinner base without the basket at first, to let it dissolve. Not boiling, but not just lukewarm.

Really? Even with chips that aren't that dirty, I've found that the recessed hat and cane in the mold always has something in it. And I wouldn't expect soaking to be able to get that out of there.

 

[Taghkanic]

Really.

And it’s not just soaking, but agitating with the spinner.

If there are a handful of problem chips, I’ll go after those with a toothbrush or dental pics.