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