I’ve found these US cleaners to be very good, https://www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk

Like BB I got mine about 8 years ago from allendale

The reason you might be advised to put small items in a glass jar is so that you only need a small quantity of an expensive cleaning fluid, the bulk of the tank can then be filled with water which is cheap.

I use a Guyson Ultrasonic tank and it has been very effective and reliable.
https://guyson.co.uk/product-category/ultrasonic-systems/ultrasonic-baths-and-tanks/benchtop-ultrasonic-baths/

Phil P

When I had to clean some microwave filter bodies machined from aluminium I immersed them in solvent in thick polythene bags and placed those in the water in the bath.

Phil –

You don’t need “expensive” cleaning fluids unless you are cleaning very critical items like watch movements or perhaps electrical equipment.

I don’t know what our company paid but I don’t think the fluids we used, mixed with water, were all that costly. They seemed to be little more than detergent to break down the grease, helped by the water being moderately hot, and the sound did the rest.

If I was using ultrasonic cleaning on engineering items I’d give them an initial wash with white spirit to remove the worst, rinse them in hot washing-soda solution (not for aluminium and zinc) then use the ultrasonic bath for the final cleaning.

Looking at Decon’s own web-site (it was their products we used), it seems their main product is not dissimilar from washing-up liquid or laundry detergent, but among points to consider, taken from the manufacturer’s own literature:

Ensure it will not attack the work-piece material. Alkaline detergents eat aluminium, for example*; and

The work may need soaking first, before turning on the electronics.

*That can be exacerbated if the aluminium has steel, especially stainless-steel, parts such as screws fitted to it. And no, anodising will not protect it from such contact corrosion.

On 3 October 2025 at 01:15 Duff Machinist Said:

Howdo all,

I’ve used a number of benchtop ultrasonic cleaners (UCs) in the past, but never owned one. Now’s the time to own one. My experiences of them have been pretty poor ranging from cheap Chinese rubbish to expensive German rubbish. Manufacturers from both countries, and others, can produce good products, but by the same degree, there are some poor ones out there too, and a recognised (respected) brand name is no longer a guarantee.

I know what type I need (size – c.6 litres, wattage, etc.), but my main issue is finding a manufacturer that can make a reliable machine that isn’t going to die after a dozen uses, and actually uses ultrasound effectively and efficiently. I haven’t found any of the ubiquitous Chinese made ones to be wholly reliable (or effective) and was surprised that the only two German ones (one each of Elma and I can’t remember the name of the other) I used had some failings too. I’ve not tried any made in the UK or other European country (including Germany), so am hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

I would prefer to avoid digital UCs, anything fancy, and paying 4 figures, so if anyone has a good experience I would like to hear from you.

 

Best wishes,

Duff.

 

P.S. I live in Europe so availability will need to be taken into account.

I have industrial UC cleaner experience from a long while ago – 1970’s. A large 30 gallon 5 kw 6 large transducers, heater etc that wasn’t digital and needed constant retuning to get it to resonate properly, a right PITA.

You could do worse than look at Vevor’s range available in europe.

https://eur.vevor.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-c_11064/10l-digital-ultrasonic-cleaner-with-heater-28-40khz-0-80-large-stainless-steel-p_010748451323

I’ve bought equipment from them before, delivered to France and I’ve found them decent to deal with.

I’ve owned an analogue Elma for 11 years. I’ve had no problems with it.

Could you elaborate on what problems you found with your Elma/the Elma you used?

,On 3 October 2025 at 22:07 howardb Said:

<SNIP>

I have industrial UC cleaner experience from a long while ago – 1970’s. A large 30 gallon 5 kw 6 large transducers, heater etc that wasn’t digital and needed constant retuning to get it to resonate properly, a right PITA.

You could do worse than look at Vevor’s range available in europe.

https://eur.vevor.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-c_11064/10l-digital-ultrasonic-cleaner-with-heater-28-40khz-0-80-large-stainless-steel-p_010748451323

I’ve bought equipment from them before, delivered to France and I’ve found them decent to deal with.

The reason that ultrasonic cleaners arn’t on the UK Vevor website is because they don’t meet product safety standards.