Quick answer: Choose the tank by the size of your largest part and the number of parts you clean per cycle, not by price.
Key takeaways:
Ultrasonic cleaners work through cavitation. Transducers create high-frequency sound waves in the liquid, forming millions of microscopic bubbles that collapse against the part’s surface and lift away grease, carbon, polishing compound and dirt, even from blind holes and threads.
Cavitation only cleans what the liquid fully surrounds. If a part is too large for the tank, sticks out of the solution, rests on the tank floor or is packed tightly against other parts, cleaning becomes uneven. That is why the right capacity is the first decision in any purchase, and the most common reason buyers end up upgrading within a year.
The figures below are typical industry ranges for guidance. Exact dimensions and power ratings vary by model, so always confirm them on the product specification sheet.
| Feature | 10 Litre | 50 Litre | 100 Litre |
| Typical internal tank size | Approx. 300 × 240 × 150 mm | Approx. 500 × 300 × 300 mm | Approx. 600 × 450 × 400 mm |
| Typical ultrasonic power | 200 to 300 W | 900 to 1,200 W | 1,800 to 2,400 W |
| Common frequency | 40 kHz | 28 or 40 kHz | 28 or 40 kHz |
| Best for | Small, delicate or precision parts | Mid-sized parts and batch cleaning | Large parts and high-volume production |
| Typical users | Jewellers, dental clinics, labs, electronics repair | Automotive workshops, maintenance units, small manufacturers | Factories, mould makers, heavy engineering, service centres |
| Setup | Benchtop | Floor-standing or heavy benchtop | Floor-standing, often with drain valve and filtration |
A 10L tank is ideal when parts are small and precision matters more than volume. Common uses include:
Choose 10L if: your largest part fits comfortably within roughly 250 mm length and 100 mm height, and you clean in small batches through the day.
The 50L range is the workhorse size for workshops and maintenance teams. It handles longer parts and larger batches without the running cost of an industrial tank. Common uses include:
Choose a 50L ultrasonic cleaner if: you regularly clean parts longer than 300 mm, or your team loses time running several small-tank cycles for one job.
A 100L machine is designed for industrial throughput and large components. It is the right step when cleaning is part of a production or overhaul process rather than an occasional task. Common uses include:
Choose a 100 litre ultrasonic cleaner if: your parts exceed about 500 mm in length, or you need to clean large batches continuously across shifts.
Use this method before speaking to any supplier. It takes five minutes and prevents the most common buying mistake.
Worked example: A workshop cleans a throttle body measuring 220 × 150 × 120 mm. With 30 mm clearance on each side, it needs about 280 × 210 × 180 mm of usable basket space. A standard 10L tank is too shallow once the basket is in place, so a mid-size or 50L unit is the practical choice, with room to clean two or three bodies per cycle.
Most contaminants release faster in warm solution. A built-in heater, typically adjustable up to about 60 to 80°C, shortens cycle times significantly for oil and grease.
Look for a stainless steel tank (SUS304 or SUS316 for more corrosive solutions), industrial-grade transducers, a drain valve on larger tanks and a digital timer and temperature control.
Water alone cleans poorly. Use a solution matched to the contaminant: alkaline for oils and grease, mild acidic for scale and rust, and neutral for sensitive materials. Never use flammable solvents in a standard ultrasonic tank.
Measure your largest part, add at least 25 to 30 mm clearance on every side and compare it with the basket dimensions. Small precision parts usually suit 10L, workshop parts suit 50L, and large industrial components suit 100L.
It is enough for small components such as injector nozzles, jets and small carburettor parts. For throttle bodies, full carburettors or cylinder heads, a 50L tank is more practical.
Ultrasonic power for a 100L machine typically ranges from about 1,800 to 2,400 W, plus the heater load. Check the exact rating on the model’s specification sheet.
Yes, as long as parts sit in a single layer, do not touch each other and remain fully submerged. Stacking parts blocks cavitation and leads to uneven cleaning.
Most cycles take 3 to 20 minutes, depending on the contaminant, solution, temperature and frequency. Heavily carbonised parts may need longer cycles or a second pass.
28 kHz is usually preferred for heavy industrial soils on robust metal parts, while 40 kHz is the better all-round choice for mixed applications.
The right ultrasonic cleaner is the one sized to your parts, your batch volume and your contamination type. A tank that is too small slows your team down. One that is too large wastes money on every cycle.
Share your part dimensions, material and cleaning requirement with the Hisashi team, and we will recommend the right capacity, frequency and configuration for your application. Request a quote to get a sizing recommendation and pricing for your requirement.