Parts Washer Portable: How to Choose One
A portable parts washer cleans bearings, gears and carburetors at the bench: this guide covers tank size, pump output, cleaner type and safety, with figures from the listings.
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A parts washer portable is a small tank with an electric pump that washes grease, oil and grime off car parts, and the portable part means the small ones can be carried to the bench. Pick one by tank size, pump output and the cleaner it takes, then check the safety lid and the power plug before the first job.
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Below: what a portable parts washer is, how to size the tank, which cleaner it takes, how the pump and brush work, and the safety checks to run before the first job.
Parts washer portable: what it is and how it works
A parts washer is a tank with a pump and a brush or a gooseneck spout. The pump moves cleaning fluid over the part while the brush scrubs off grease, oil and dirt, and the fluid drains back into the tank through a filter to be used again. The smallest versions in the listings are a 5 gallon unit that fits a standard 5 gallon bucket, in the Jack Boss listing, and 3.5 gallon bench-top cabinets, in the Generic, BIG RED and AVGVLIJ listings. The larger units are floor models: the VEVOR 40 gallon tank is a steel cabinet, and the JEGS 20 gallon unit is a cart with a drying shelf and a storage shelf.
Tank size: match the tank to the part
Tank size decides which parts fit in the washer. The bench-top cabinets in the listings hold 3.5 gallons of fluid, with a work basin 18 inches wide by 13.5 inches deep and 9 inches high, in the Generic and BIG RED listings. The VEVOR 5 gallon washer holds a 3.5 gallon solvent capacity in a 5 gallon tank, and the Jack Boss unit fits a 5 gallon bucket. The cabinet washers go bigger: the MOTORHOT and JEGS listings state a 20 gallon tank with a 12 gallon solvent capacity, and the VEVOR 40 gallon listing states a 40 gallon tank with a 17 gallon solvent capacity and a tank that supports 220 lbs.
Measure the biggest part before buying. A carburetor, a gear or a wheel bearing fits a bench-top basin. The VEVOR 40 gallon listing states it cleans transmission cases as well as gears and carburetors. If the part does not fit the basin, the tank size is wrong, whatever the pump says.
Solvent or water-based cleaner
The cleaner matters as much as the tank. The Jack Boss listing states its washer is safe for use with any non-corrosive water based cleaning solution. The Generic and BIG RED listings state their washers are not for use with flammable or combustible solvents such as mineral spirits, and the AVGVLIJ listing states a stainless steel build with a blue powder-coated finish. The bigger cabinets state solvent capacities: 12 gallons in the MOTORHOT and JEGS listings, and 17 gallons in the VEVOR 40 gallon listing.
Read the listing before buying cleaner. A washer built for water-based cleaner takes a different fluid from a solvent cabinet, and the wrong fluid in the wrong washer is a fire risk. Keep to the cleaner the listing names, and store spare fluid away from the bench.
Pump, brush and gooseneck
The pump sets how fast the fluid moves. The listings state pump outputs in two units, so compare like with like: the BIG RED listing states 325 gallons per hour, the JEGS listing states 317 gallons per hour, and the AVGVLIJ listing states about 30 gallons per hour. In gallons per minute, the VEVOR 40 gallon listing states 1 gallon per minute, the Generic listing states 1/2 gallon per minute, and the VEVOR 5 gallon listing states 0.4 gallon per minute.
The brush and the spout do the scrubbing. The Jack Boss listing states a flow-through hard bristle brush and a submersible pump, with a channel drainage system that catches waste and cycles clean water. The VEVOR listings state a gooseneck tube that adjusts to let fluid flow over the part, with a mesh filter the fluid passes through first. The AVGVLIJ listing states a flexible gooseneck spigot and a removable shelf.
Portable or cabinet: weight and footprint
Portable means different things at different sizes. The VEVOR 5 gallon washer lists 15 lbs, the AVGVLIJ listing lists 15.0 pounds, and the BIG RED listing lists 16.8 pounds, all bench-top cabinets that move easily. The JEGS cart lists 80.0 pounds on a cart with a drying shelf, and the VEVOR 40 gallon cabinet lists 92.81 pounds.
Check the footprint as well as the weight. The VEVOR 5 gallon listing states 18.11 inches by 13.39 inches by 9.06 inches, and the AVGVLIJ listing states 18.1 inches by 13.4 inches by 9.1 inches, so both sit on a bench. The JEGS cart states 38.0 inches by 21.5 inches by 37.0 inches, and the VEVOR 40 gallon cabinet states 44.49 inches by 21.65 inches by 35.04 inches, so both need floor space.
Safety: solvent, fire and power
A parts washer holds cleaning fluid and an electric pump, so the safety features are part of the choice. The AVGVLIJ listing states a hinged lid with a fusible link that closes on its own if there is a flash fire, and the Generic and BIG RED listings state a hinged fusible link lid that closes when not in use and helps prevent accidental fire. The MOTORHOT listing states a hinged cover with a fuse that closes when the temperature passes the safety limit. Keep the lid closed when the washer is not in use.
Power is straightforward: the bench-top listings state a 110V electric pump, the MOTORHOT listing states 120V and 60HZ with 43W, and the JEGS listing states 110/120V. The BikeMaster listing states UL and SAA Certified. Use the cleaner the listing names, keep flammable solvents out of a washer that forbids them, and keep the work area ventilated.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
What size parts washer do I need?
Match the tank to the biggest part. The bench-top listings hold 3.5 gallons with a basin 18 inches by 13.5 inches by 9 inches, which the listings state for wheel bearings, gears and carburetors. The 20 gallon cabinets state a 12 gallon solvent capacity, and the VEVOR 40 gallon listing states a 40 gallon tank with a 17 gallon solvent capacity.
Can I use mineral spirits in a portable parts washer?
Only if the listing allows it. The Generic and BIG RED listings state their washers are not for use with flammable or combustible solvents such as mineral spirits. The Jack Boss listing states its washer is safe with non-corrosive water based cleaning solution. Check the listing before buying cleaner.
How does a parts washer pump work?
An electric pump moves cleaning fluid from the tank through a filter and out through a brush or a gooseneck spout, and the fluid drains back into the tank. The listings state pump outputs from 0.4 gallon per minute to 1 gallon per minute, and from about 30 gallons per hour to 325 gallons per hour, depending on the model.
What is a fusible link lid?
A lid that closes on its own in a fire. The AVGVLIJ listing states a hinged lid with a fusible link that closes on its own if there is a flash fire, and the Generic and BIG RED listings state a hinged fusible link lid that closes when not in use and helps prevent accidental fire. The MOTORHOT listing states a hinged cover with a fuse that closes when the temperature passes the safety limit.
How heavy is a portable parts washer?
The bench-top listings state 15 lbs, 15.0 pounds and 16.8 pounds. The JEGS cart lists 80.0 pounds, and the VEVOR 40 gallon cabinet lists 92.81 pounds.
Related: the best parts washer for home garage, the best parts cleaner for parts washer, the best carburetor cleaner and the engine and shop equipment hub.
