Last week at work I was walking through the halls when I came upon a trash bag that contained a large commercial coffee maker. I immediately asked whether it was trash, and if I could help myself. Naturally, there were no objections to me taking this "junk".
WOW! What a find! At first I just wanted to salvage the aluminum to melt into blocks, but then it dawned on me what something like this is perfect for -
a parts cleaning tank!
The only thing wrong with the unit I got is a tiny leak at the heating element, easily fixed with a little silicone sealant. It heats water to 180°F and holds it there automatically. The little red light (which reads "serve"
) comes on when it reaches temperature (which takes about 30 minutes for a full tank). Total capacity is about 2 or 2.5 gallons.
On the right you see the "parts basket" where the coffee would normally go. I plan to attach a handle from a 5-gallon bucket to it. I'll also buy a pack of coffee filters (cheap!) to place in the bottom and capture the junk that comes off of parts. Once you remove the brewing tube, the basket will slide all the way to the bottom of the tank. Just like those Gunk Carb & Parts cleaning cans have in them!
On the left is the lid, which locks into place very nicely. Keeps odors and fumes pretty well contained.
These things also come with a nice sight glass which would be very expensive to buy new. I've removed it and I'm sure some day I'll find a use for it.
So my advice is, if you ever see one of these things bound for the land fill, grab it up! Even without a functioning heating element it still makes a fine solvent tank. With money being tight these days, I'm looking out more than ever for "stuff that can be used as other stuff".
The only thing I need to figure out is what to use as a degreasing agent at 180°F. Simple Green says not to heat their stuff. I'm thinking of trying dishwasher detergent, but the problem with that is I doubt it will remove paint.
Anyone have any suggestions for a hot-tank degreaser agent?
Ryan
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