Ultrasonic cleaners have been around for a while, but most only handle small things.

This one can accommodate an AR upper.

The Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner was provided to the author for review by Hornady.

In this photo, the author introduces us to his review of the Hornady Hot Tub sonic cleaner. The writer demonstrates removing the cover to the cleaning tank where the water solution resides. You can then place your gun parts, ar-15 upper or even previously fired cartridge cases into it for a simple cleaning.

Few people enjoy cleaning carbon residue and other gunk from their firearms. The Hornady Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner offers an elegant and relatively easy way to eliminate that job.

Cleaning guns may be one of the worst tasks I have to do in my life.

Yes, I seriously hate it that much.

Because of my complete and utter hatred for the task of cleaning guns, I naturally look to alternatives.

In this photo we see a side view of the Hornady ultrasonic firearms cleaner. It is longer than wide with the appearance of a small footlocker. It is large enough to accommodate and clean a 16 inch ar-15. The author states he found it very good to removes carbon residue. It can even clean cases and gets even the primer pockets dinner plate clean. We don’t recommend eating from anything you use this to clean. That would be silly.

The Hornady Hot Tub is designed to be as easy to use when cleaning gun parts and equipment. It is large enough to accommodate an AR upper plus comes with a basket for cleaning small parts.

So, paying someone just isnt going to cut it.

That product is the Hornady Hot Tub 9L Sonic Cleaner.

It holds a maximum of nine liters, or 2.3 gallons of solution/water mixture.

In this image, the author places an AR upper assembly into the tub of the sonic gun parts cleaner. It is long enough to accommodate many gun parts and will often do a job that is equal to or better than an old fashioned scrubbing with brushes and Hoppe’s #9. If you’ve wanted one, give it a look. It worked great for the author.

The 9-liter capacity of the Sonic Cleaner gives you a lot of volume to utilize for cleaning. You can use it to clean most everything in your gun safe.

The basket is perfect for cleaning entire pistols.

Hands-On

The Hot Tub looks like a toolbox and is easy to transport and set up.

It is really super easy to use.

Here the author shows us how to hang a riffle upper in the Hornady cleaning solution using rubber straps. The straps have nodules at set intervals to allow you to securely hang it at just the right height. The helps the cleaning solution get into all of the nooks and crannies to get the best results — a perfectly clean firearm!

You can use the included rubber straps to suspend large gun parts in the cleaning solution. This helps to ensure the cleaning action reaches all areas of the object being cleaned.

Step 1, fill the tank with distilled water and cleaning solution.

I use Hornadys One Shot Sonic Clean Solution, which is mixed at a 40-to-1 ratio.

Just walk away and let it do its thing.

The author adds purified water to the storage tank in this photo. Adding tap water can work, but keep in mind that tap water often contains minerals and other impurities that can reduce the effectiveness of the cleaner. When employing sonic cleaning to clean an AR or other firearm, you want to set up the solution correctly.

To begin the cleaning process, the author adds water to the tank. Distilled water will work better than tap water as it lacks any minerals or chemicals that may hinder the cleaning.

Now it is time to move on to step 2, getting cleaning.

Then throw the disassembled and empty firearm in the solution.

As I mentioned before, for pistols I use the basket and put all the parts in it.

Here the author mixes the Hornady One Shot cleaning solution with water. The Hornady sonic cleaner needs this solution to work effectively in the ultrasonic cleaning process to loosen and remove carbon build up and old gun grease. It also works well for brass cleaning.

The author used Hornady’s One Shot Sonic Clean Solution in this review. He mixed it with water at a 1:40 ratio — one part cleaning solution to 40 parts water.

However, you could throw it in the Hot Tub with the lower as well.

when you obtain all your parts in the heated cleaner, simply set your timer and hit start.

The machine is a little loud, but that just lets you know the gun is getting clean.

As a real time saver, you can add all of your pistol and AR parts into the basket to be cleaned as shown in this photo. While it is not specifically designed for reloading uses, you can also use the basket as a brass cleaner as the Hornady liquid cleaner works perfectly well with spent cartridge cases. A smaller sonic cleaner might be preferable if you never clean an AR upper.

The included basket is ideal for cleaning small firearm parts. You can add your AR bolt carrier group, pistol slide and frame, and virtually anything else in it for cleaning.

Once the timer goes off, its time for step 3.

Pull all your parts out of the Hot Tub and start drying them off.

I use a clean microfiber towel to dry the parts.

In this photo, the author adds a thin film of lube to his firearm after pulling it from the Hornady Lock-n-Load Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner. When you pull it out of the tub, be sure to wipe it down and blow it off if you have an air compressor to ensure all of the cleaning fluid is removed. Then add a bit of oil to reduce wear.

After cleaning, make sure to add a thin coat of gun lubricant to the gun’s wear parts. A good gun oil regularly applied can keep your firearm properly functioning for many years.

Chances are that dirt and grime will wipe right off with ease at this point.

Be very careful when removing the parts from the tank because they will be hot.

The third and final step is to oil everything up and reassemble.

In this photo, the author demonstrates how to set the timer for the cleaning cycle. Sort of a washing machine for your firearms, the Hornady ultrasonic cleaner proved to be very effective at removing dirt and burned gunpowder from guns.

The Hornady Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner proved to be an excellent performer. It can make short work of cleaning your long guns and other firearm parts.

Again, ensure you follow the manufacturers instructions for oiling and reassembly.

You are now left with the cleanest gun you have probably ever seen.

I always function test everything after reassembly to see to it it is working properly.

Hornady Hornady Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner

What you will notice is how smooth the action is because it is so clean.

My answer is simply, YES.

It really is the solution to my gun-cleaning hatred.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaners & Solutions

Breaking down your guns as far as you might easily do will definitely help you with the end result.

AR Series

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