Ultrasonic Bath and Flammable Solvents

Q: We use ethanol somewhat effectively to remove some resin based botanical residues.  We want to move forward with using an ultrasonic tank to ensure some precision in our cleaning.  Do you have anything more effective?

A:  We would very much recommend not running an ultrasonic with ethanol or any flammable solvents.   Even if running unheated, there is a possibility of a spark from the sonication elements which could pose a fire hazard concern for the facility/lab. 

Detonox® Ultimate Precision Cleaner has proven time and again to be effective in cannabis as described below:

• Critical Cleaning of Cannabis Residues
• Cannabis Industry page
• Cleaning Botanical and Cannabis Residue in the Laboratory

As discussed here: Cannabis: IPA replacement with Alconox Inc. Detergents ethanol and similar solvents will not be as effective as a detergent which brings multiple avenues of cleaning to battle.

For cannabis cleaning, we do recognize that using ethanol or isopropyl can be an effective part of a first pass cleaning so that product can be recovered.  We would advise this is used and a first pass cleaning, without ultrasonic use, followed by through cleaning with aqueous detergents discussed above to ensure no residues left behind.

For a powdered format, we would advise use of Alconox® Powdered Precision Cleaner.

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