Why Degas Your Ultrasonic?

Before the start of each working day it is best to degas the liquid in your ultrasonic cleaner tank.  This simple procedure allows the ultrasonic cleaner to work most effectively, since the ultrasonic waves can pass more freely through liquid than they do when air is mixed in the liquid in the tank.  If you are in a lab, or a dental, vet or medical practice this is the ideal time to prepare for your daily foil test.

You should also perform this task whenever you start with a fresh tank of water during the working day.  NB Take extra care when you empty your ultrasonic cleaner tank, as this is a risky time – see notes below.

Unless you are in a laboratory or clinical setting, where you will be completing a foil test to meet regulatory obligations, you can use the degas process to start your daily cleaning.  The first 10 minutes of degas/cleaning will be a little less effective than the rest of the day, but they will still generate a very good cleaning result.  Anyway, you’re paying for the electricity – you may as well get some value out of it.

How to Do It

1. Fill the tank with the recommended amount of water and add a squirt of dishwashing detergent.  The detergent will help to soften the water which assists in the degas process.
2. Degas the water in the tank.  Set heater thermostat to 60C.  After temperature is achieved run unit on cleaning cycle for about 10 minutes.  Degasing will expel the air so that the unit operates at optimum effectiveness.
   • NB If your machine does not have a heater, or if the heater is slow to increase temperature, you can boil water in a kettle to get the same result.  In a boil proof jug add two parts boiling water  to one part tap water.  If the tap water is room temperature (25C), the combined water will give you about 60C.  Adjust the mix for local conditions.

Notes:

1. Foil Test. Always degas the tank before doing a foil test.
2. Many desktop machines are designed to maintain minimum set temperature with their heater, but they can be rather slow to heat up, especially if ambient (or tap water) temperature is low. You can run the machine (e.g. start to clean some items) while the unit is heating.  This will usually only draw a small amount of additional electricity, but it will save time and help to get the tank up to operating temperature a lot quicker.  Covering the tank with its lid will also help speed the process.
3. Empty Tank Safely. Some hints to safely empty liquid from your ultrasonic cleaner’s tank, for units without a tap.
   1. Water and Electricity Do Not Mix. Turn off power and disconnect unit from mains before emptying tank. Refill tank when unit back in designated safe working location and before power is reconnected to machine.  Remove all spills promptly and completely, ensuring that no water is on or near leads, plugs or power points.  Do not turn power back on until it is safe to do so.
   2. Cool Tank to 25C. Wait until liquid inside tank has cooled before emptying – you should turn heater off, or set thermostat to zero C and empty liquid only when contents has dropped to room temperature.  This will prevent damage to heater pad.
   3. Check for Lost Stones.  If you have been cleaning jewellery check that no stones have not come adrift from settings BEFORE you empty the tank. This problem is more common than you might think.  If you discover a setting is minus a stone use our procedure to find it in the tank, or ensure that you pass liquid through a fine sieve. Do not just pour liquid down the drain.
   4. Avoid Splashbacks.  Most ultrasonic cleaners are very well sealed around the top and sides of the unit.  But bench top ultrasonic cleaners will commonly have holes in the base or rear to allow for venting of excess heat from the unit.  So it is possible for liquid to enter the unit when tank is being emptied.  You would be amazed at where splashed water can end up. We recommend against vigorously upturning the unit to empty the tank, as this can cause unwanted liquid splash backs or internal components becoming dislodged.   Instead, use a household plastic jug to bail the liquid out (also makes it easier to use a sieve if searching for missing stones) and to wipe out the last bit of liquid in the tank with a clean sponge.  This procedure takes no more than a few seconds, but it can save a lot of time and money.

Liquid Glass Oz designs quality ultrasonic cleaners for commercial operations in Australia and New Zealand (N18973). 

www.liquidglassoz.com.au