Cleaning engines Crock pot method

I have ran tests on many of the popular cleaning methods that modelers most generally use. Following is the results of the Crock pot method
I used a cheap pot that I "borrowed from my wife (I promised to buy her a new one) From K-Mart $9.95. capacity one gallon. Settings, off, low (140 degrees) and high (200 degrees). I made a small parts basket from a one pound coffee can (metal) by punching a lot of holes in the bottom and sides up to about 3/4th inch from the bottom with an ice pick and made a little bail to lift it out with out of soft wire.
The anti-freeze that I used was Prestone "all metal compatable" Ethylene glycol. It is poisonious to pets and humans, so once you use the crock pot for this cleaning method DO NOT TRY TO RETURN IT TO EDIBLE FOOD PREPARATION.
The mixes that I used were; Straight anti-freeze, 50-50 mix anti-freeze and tap water, and 25-75 antifreeze and water.
The best combination was the 50-50 mix at the low (140 degree) setting. This combination would remove the worst, hard baked on, aged (2 to 3 years) old oil the best of all the tested methods. For those conditions it took 14 or more hours. One thing, if you take the parts out and rinse them and the crud doesn't come off with some light toothbrush scrubbing, just put them back in for another cooking session. Excessive time in the pot does not seem to harm the parts. I left some in for a week and found no damage.
After soaking the parts (or complete engine with the plug and backplate removed) over night (or as long as you wish), lift the basket out of the antifreeze and rinse the parts in the basket with water (garden hose or kitchen sink under the tap and using an old tooth brush, try to remove any stubborn places. If not clean, repeat the soaking period.
After you have rinsed the parts or engine, Shake ,or blow the excess water off and rinse the engine or parts in alcohol, acetone, or paint thinner to remove all vestages of water then oil the parts as you put them back together. If you did the engine assembled, oil it thoroughly through the plug hole, backplate, and intake while turning the engine over. Put the engine back together and run it on a plane or test bench for three or more minutes,
This method is for hard heavy baked on deposites of soil, grime or what have you. For lighter dirts or oils that are not hard or if you are in a hurry, there are other, better cleaning methods.
Good points-- gets the worst grime off--- relatively safe, it doesn't hurt if you get it on you.
Bad points--- Cannot use the crock pot for cooking after using antifreeze in it---takes a lot of time to get really, really tough crud off--- Fumes bother some people so it should be used in an outside shed, barn or garage.
If you wish to read about the other methods, just say so.
Bigiron

FIRST of all, the crock pot cleaning is the only way to go, with anti-freeze. Second do you mind if I copy this and give it to our NEWS LETTER person? Scott

I got no complaint. I put this out to be used by anyone who wants to. Go ahead. I also tested the Hot Water and Dishwasher detergent, and Chemical carbureator cleaners and others. I plan on sending the test results to PAMPA also.
Bigiron

Marvin,

You must have a passel of the cleanest used engines on record!
I expect to see a gleaming engine when I look into your cowlings!

My stust engines stay clean. It's my trainer, combat, and racing engines that get really crudded up. I borrowed engines, bought the dirtiest most baked on pieces of junk that I could find. I ran tests on somewhere in the vicinity of 150 different engines or major pieces of engines. It got so that every time I headed to the garage the wife would say "another one??? To which I usually would reply nah two, or, three this time.
Bigiron

I had forgotten until reminded by your post that at one time we cleaned pump parts with your methods where I work. Seems like we heated a solution of antifreeze and a bit of Tide soap up to right below boiling and added a small jet of air bubbles and left it untill morning. I dont recall why we quit. When I get back to work I will inquire why. I also want to thank you for your efforts. You are fortunate to have a wife that only says two words when you bring home another engine. Mine usually goes on for several hours in Cajun French, which I dont speak. I bought a french dictionary one time. I almost got a divorce.

ONLY TWO WORDS ???? I only repeated the words she said that could be published on this family oriented forum.
Bigiron.
PS--- Just kidding. She doesn't mind . In fact she enjoys models.
B

My wife loves the models, its me she has trouble with. Actually when we first met I was just getting into stunt. She looked at the model on the building table and asked if i wasnt a little old to be playing with toys for a hobby. I asked her what her first husbands hobbies were. Getting drunk and chasing women was her reply. I told her to pick one of those and thats what I would take up for my new hobby. I buy all the balsa I want and she never says a word now. As long as I am reducing perfectly good balsa to splinters, she knows where I am at. Its all in how you look at it.