Why Do Some Ultrasonic Cleaners Have Heaters?

At its core, all ultrasonic cleaners do pretty much the same thing: they use thousands of tiny bubbles created by sound waves to gently remove dirt, grease, oils, and contaminants from surfaces, even and especially in places you normally wouldn't be able to reach with a brush or cloth. That process is called cavitation.

However, when an ultrasonic cleaner has a heater built into the ultrasonic tank, the heater adds another layer of cleaning power, which makes ultrasonic cleaners with heaters more effective for cleaning some items that contain grease, oils, or organic residues

So, how does an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater work, and is the heater a feature you should be looking for when buying an ultrasonic cleaner?

Ultrasonic Cleaners with Heaters: What Does the Heater Do? 

The role of the heater in an ultrasonic cleaner is to raise the temperature of the cleaning solution. Usually, it is advised to put warm water (not hot) into an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning, but when your ultrasonic cleaner has a heater, it automatically heats up the cleaning solution. 

This not only makes the cleaning process faster and more efficient, but also practically increases the quality and effectiveness of the ultrasonic cleaning process in the following ways:

1. Helps Break Down Grease, Oils, and Organic Residues

The heater keeps the cleaning solution warm, which increases the solubility of oils and greases, making them easier to dislodge. When the water in your ultrasonic cleaner is warm, unwanted contaminants dissolve and loosen far quicker than cold water alone.

2. It Enhances the Effectiveness of  Cavitation

Ultrasonic cleaners work by the process of cavitation: they use thousands of tiny bubbles created by sound waves to gently remove dirt, grease, oils, and contaminants from surfaces. When the cleaning solution is warm, cavitation bubbles form and collapse more efficiently, which boosts the cleaning action, especially on stubborn grime. 

3. A Heater Reduces Cleaning Time

An ultrasonic cleaner with a heated tank generally cleans faster because the solution works harder on contaminants. You may find that cleaning cycles that usually take 10-15 minutes with cold water can finish in 5-10 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner that has a heater.

Practical Uses for Ultrasonic Cleaners with Heaters

There is a variety of items that benefit significantly from ultrasonic cleaning with heaters. Here are some common examples:

1. For Cleaning Automotive/ Mechanical Parts

For cleaning machine parts, you absolutely need an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater. The continuous heat from the heater helps break down:

• Grease and oil residue in gears, bearings, and engine parts
• Carbon buildup on metal components

So, if you want an ultrasonic cleaner to clean car parts, for a workshop or an automotive repair, a heater is a must-have feature. An industrial ultrasonic cleaner with a heater, especially one with a large tank like this 60L model from Creworks, would be ideal.

2. For Cleaning Jewelry

It is much easier to clean jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater: the consistently warm cleaning solution is more efficient at removing skin oils, lotions, and tarnish from jewelry. Consider an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with a heater for cleaning any of the following types of jewelry:  

• Rings
• Bracelets
• Chains
• Watches (metal bands)

When using an ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry, heated cleaning can restore shine more quickly than cold cycles alone.

3. For Cleaning Tools and Hardware

Ultrasonic cleaning removes rust from tools and hardware, and that process is made even more effective if your ultrasonic cleaner has an in-built heater. 

Hand tools and small hardware often carry stubborn grime and rust inhibitors. An ultrasonic cleaner with a heater provides consistent heat, which helps the ultrasonic cleaner cut through this buildup dramatically faster.

For tools, such as nails, hammers, wrenches, etc, consider an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater.

4. For Electronics, Contacts, and Small Parts

When you need to clean electrical contacts, connectors, or tiny parts, especially in tight spaces, an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater helps dissolve oxides and corrosion without damaging the item (as long as it’s safe for immersion).

For items that require both precision and thorough cleaning, the heater makes a noticeable difference.

Ultrasonic Cleaners: With Heater vs Without Heater

Affordable Ultrasonic Cleaners With Heaters From Creworks

Creworks' collection of digital and manual ultrasonic cleaners features some of the most affordable ultrasonic cleaners with heaters that will make your job easier, more effective, and faster. Consider the following three models

1. Creworks 6L Ultrasonic Cleaner with Digital Timer 

The 6L ultrasonic cleaner from Creworks is an ideal ultrasonic cleaner with a heater for home use. It comes with a 300W heater, which can provide heated cleaning between  20 and 80°C. It is compatible with gentle cleaners like soap and detergent for greater ultrasonic cleaning strength. 

This unit uses 40kHz sound waves to create cavitation,  and its 1.6-gallon basin can safely and thoroughly clean a variety of items, from jewelry and watches to baby toys and laboratory tools. 

2. The 2L Two-Knob Ultrasonic Cleaner with Digital Timer

The 2L two-knob ultrasonic cleaner is a much more affordable ultrasonic cleaner with a heater, and it is made precisely for home use. It comes with a built-in 100W heater, allowing you to adjust the temperatures from 70 to 175°F for cleaning items like retainers, jewelry, baby toys, and more in minutes

3. Creworks 30L Ultrasonic Cleaner with Digital Timer and Heater

The 30L industrial ultrasonic cleaner comes with an in-built heater providing up to 600W of heating power for superior ultrasonic cleaning. With this unit, you can adjust the temperatures between 20 and 80°C (68 and 176°F). It uses 40kHz sound waves and has a digital timer, a digital control panel, and built-in protection against electric surges to ensure effortless and thorough cleaning even in intricate and hard-to-reach areas.

For more options, from bigger 30L ultrasonic cleaners with heaters, to smaller 10L models, check out the Creworks collection of ultrasonic cleaners.

Final Thoughts on Ultrasonic Cleaners With Heaters

Choosing an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater makes a big difference if you’re cleaning greasy, oily, or heavily soiled items, or if you want shorter cleaning cycles and better overall performance. If your use is lighter, occasional, and involves fewer stubborn contaminants, a model without a heater can still deliver excellent results at a lower price.

Consider our guide on how to use an ultrasonic cleaner for some tips on how to make the most of your machine.