Ultrasonics - heat vs none

[K9]

Yes, I know it''s been hashed, and I''ve searched new and old to death. However, there''s a newer GemOro ultrasonic available that has heat and it''s in the $99 range. I am comparing it with the Sparkle Spa.

My question is - does the heat really make a difference? Those who have US with heat, do you wish you''d have just bought the Sparkle Spa and saved a few bucks?

Sparkle Spa

2.6Quart GemOro with heat

I have decided that I don''t want both and it seems the opinion is if you don''t want both to get an US. I''d get the jewel jet, but it just seems rather large and I will need to store it away when not in use. I clean once/week.

 

[strmrdr]

Heat makes a difference if it is really dirty.
You use hot water in the other but it cools quickly.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/24/2009 1:58:56 PM
Author:k9muttlover

I have decided that I don''t want both and it seems the opinion is if you don''t want both to get an US. I''d get the jewel jet, but it just seems rather large and I will need to store it away when not in use. I clean once/week.

here''s a 1.5 pint

http://www.nationaljewelerssupplies.com/page/NJS/PROD/SK1728

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I wouldn''t want a large one, so I''d choose the Sparkle Spa. I actually have a very similar one by Sharper Image. I just put warm water in it, and yes, I think it does a better job. You don''t have to have one with heat. That said, the other one may hold up better since it is more expensive. But I wanted the smallest one I could find so as not to take up so much room.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/24/2009 2:47:30 PM
Author: strmrdr
Heat makes a difference if it is really dirty.
You use hot water in the other but it cools quickly.

you can use the MW oven to reheat the solution.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Have you looked at the Jewel Jet - it isn''t ultrasonic but a steam cleaner which might be more gentle on the jewelry. I just bought one but not sure how I feel about it yet.

 

[K9]

Date: 1/24/2009 4:27:02 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
Have you looked at the Jewel Jet - it isn''t ultrasonic but a steam cleaner which might be more gentle on the jewelry. I just bought one but not sure how I feel about it yet.

Yes, and actually my last sentence was suppose to say that I didn''t want both an US and a Jewel Jet. I think the US is likely more practical for me, but I liked the idea of heat. Wasn''t sure if it really made that big of a diff to justify the cost.

Here''s another piece - an ebay seller is selling both the sparkle spa AND the jewel jet for $99. Free ship. Maybe since I was ok spending $99, it wouldn''t be a bad idea to get both.

 

[neatfreak]

An unheated US does a great job on jewelry. The one time I would want heated is if you are trying to clean years of dirt and grime out of a vintage piece or something. Then I would just use really hot water in my US. I just got the sparkle spa for $36 from Ottofrei.com a month ago or so, and shipping was really fast. Works wonderfully. I replaced my old sharper image US and the sparkle spa is much better IMO.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 1/24/2009 3:44:04 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 1/24/2009 2:47:30 PM
Author: strmrdr
Heat makes a difference if it is really dirty.
You use hot water in the other but it cools quickly.

you can use the MW oven to reheat the solution.

Ditto, that''s my plan!

 

[CharmyPoo]

To be honest, I would have gotten the Sparkle Spa because it looks so much better and is so much easier. I was just worried about the pave falling out since most of my rings have pave. The Jewel Jet is really ugly and pretty!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/24/2009 4:49:37 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
To be honest, I would have gotten an Ultrasonic cleaner because it looks so much better and is so much easier. I was just worried about the pave falling out since most of my rings have pave.

Don't tell anyone, but I use my US on my pave all the time. My thought is that I would rather lose a loose stone in an US and thus be able to find it then lose it elsewhere and not be able to find it. I've heard that an US won't loosen any stone that isn't already loose, which makes sense to me because it really doesn't shake things that much ya know? And the force of a steam cleaner seems like it might be more likely to loosen pave, but that is just my own thought process.

Anyway, I have been using my US a few times a week on my all pave wedding ring for over a year and haven't lost a stone yet. However I DID lose a stone out of my Tiffany baby bezel earrings recently in the US, boy am I glad it fell out in there instead of somewhere else! Tiffany is charging almost $100 for the repair, I can't even imagine what they would have charged to replace the damn stone.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Neatfreak - You convinced me and I just bought one I want to get rid of the Jewel Jet. It is a total eye sore for me.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/24/2009 4:55:34 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 1/24/2009 4:49:37 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
To be honest, I would have gotten an Ultrasonic cleaner because it looks so much better and is so much easier. I was just worried about the pave falling out since most of my rings have pave.

Don''t tell anyone, but I use my US on my pave all the time. My thought is that I would rather lose a loose stone in an US and thus be able to find it then lose it elsewhere and not be able to find it. I''ve heard that an US won''t loosen any stone that isn''t already loose, which makes sense to me because it really doesn''t shake things that much ya know? And the force of a steam cleaner seems like it might be more likely to loosen pave, but that is just my own thought process.

good for you

i always say...if the pave setting isn''t US safe then you shouldn''t be wearing it.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/24/2009 3:40:41 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I wouldn''t want a large one, so I''d choose the Sparkle Spa. I actually have a very similar one by Sharper Image. I just put warm water in it, and yes, I think it does a better job. You don''t have to have one with heat. That said, the other one may hold up better since it is more expensive. But I wanted the smallest one I could find so as not to take up so much room.

yup, buy an all steel one and they will last forever,plastic ones will crack sooner or later. the all steel ones are made in the USA (much better quality) unlike the cheap Chinese plastic ones.

 

[K9]

I just thought I''d post back and let you all know I decided to go with heat and ordered the GemOro 2.5qt US with heat! Thanks to all that chimed in!!!