Parts Washer Cabinet: What to Look For

A greasy carburetor, a set of wheel bearings or a gearbox full of old grime all need the same treatment before they go back together: a proper wash in solvent, not a wipe with a rag. A parts washer cabinet is a steel tub with an electric pump that does that washing: you set the part in the basin, the pump sends solvent over it, and the dirty solvent drains back into the tank below for the next part. This guide explains how the cabinet, the pump and the tank work, what sizes and flows to look for, and which solvents and lids keep the job safe.

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Below: how the cabinet works, tank and solvent sizes, pump flow, lids, and the checks to run before you buy.

Parts washer cabinet: what it is and how it works

A parts washer cabinet is a bench-top or floor-standing steel tub with a basin on top, a tank below and an electric pump that moves solvent between them. The part sits in the basin, often on a shelf or in a basket, while the pump pushes solvent over it, and the solvent drains back into the tank. The BIG RED listing describes a compact bench-top steel cabinet for small parts such as wheel bearings, gears and carburetors, while the MOTORHOT listing describes a larger floor-standing cabinet with detachable shelves and work baskets and the JEGS listing describes a larger cart with a drying shelf and a storage shelf for the same kinds of parts.

Tank size and solvent capacity

Tank capacity and solvent capacity are different figures on the larger cabinets, and those listings state both. The BIG RED bench-top unit has a 3.5 gallon fluid reservoir. The MOTORHOT and JEGS cabinets have a 20 gallon tank with a 12 gallon solvent capacity. The ALYIAMXL cabinet holds up to 40 gallons with a 24 gallon solvent capacity, and the ZeHuoGe cabinet is listed at 40 gallons. A bigger tank suits bigger parts and longer cleaning sessions, while a bench-top unit suits small parts on a crowded bench.

Pump flow

The pump decides how fast solvent moves over the part. The BIG RED listing states a 325 gallon per hour electric pump on 110V. The JEGS listing states a pump output of 317 gallons per hour on 110/120V. The ALYIAMXL listing rates its pump at up to 5 gallons per minute. The MOTORHOT listing disagrees with itself: its parameter block states a maximum pump output of 318 gallons per hour, while its bullets say the pump delivers approximately 50 gallons per hour. Treat the MOTORHOT flow figure as unsettled and check the listing before ordering.

Size, weight and where it sits

Bench-top cabinets are light enough to move: the BIG RED unit weighs 16.8 lb, with a work basin 18 in wide by 13.5 in deep and 9 in high, and overall dimensions of 18.5 in by 14.17 in by 9.84 in. Floor-standing cabinets are heavier shop furniture: the JEGS cart weighs 80.0 lb at 38.0 in by 21.5 in by 37.0 in, and the ALYIAMXL and ZeHuoGe cabinets weigh 90.0 lb at 44.5 in by 21.5 in by 34.6 in. The MOTORHOT cabinet measures 30 in long by 21 in wide by 34.5 in high. Measure the bench or the floor space before ordering, and leave room to open the lid and to lift parts in and out.

Lids and fire safety

Two of these listings describe a hinged lid that closes on its own. The BIG RED listing says its hinged, fusible link lid closes when not in use and helps prevent accidental fire. The MOTORHOT listing says its hinged cover has a fuse and closes automatically when the temperature exceeds the safety limit. A lid that shuts itself is a fire safety feature on the cabinets that describe one. The BIG RED listing also warns that its washer is not for use with flammable or combustible solvents such as mineral spirits, so match the solvent to the unit.

Solvent choice and disposal

The listings sell the cabinet, not the solvent: the ALYIAMXL listing says to add a compatible parts washer solvent and to follow the included instructions and local disposal requirements before use. Used solvent carries the grease and grime it washed off, so it needs disposal through the local route for shop waste, not down a drain. Check the manual and the local rules before the first job, and keep to the solvent the maker allows.

What to check before you buy

• Tank and solvent capacity. Match the tank to the parts: a 3.5 gallon bench-top reservoir for small parts, a 20 gallon tank with a 12 gallon solvent capacity for bigger jobs, or a 40 gallon cabinet with a 24 gallon solvent capacity for workshop-scale cleaning.
• Pump flow and power. The listings here state 325 gallons per hour on 110V, 317 gallons per hour on 110/120V and up to 5 gallons per minute with no voltage stated, and the MOTORHOT unit is listed at 43W on 120V.
• Lid. Look for a hinged lid that closes on its own, as the BIG RED and MOTORHOT listings describe.
• Shelf and basket. A removable interior shelf or a work basket holds the part above the tank and makes cleanup easier, as the MOTORHOT, JEGS and ALYIAMXL listings describe.
• Weight and footprint. A 16.8 lb bench-top unit moves easily, while an 80.0 lb or 90.0 lb floor cabinet is heavier to move.
• Warranty. The BIG RED listing includes a 1 year limited manufacturer warranty, the JEGS listing a 30 days warranty, and the ALYIAMXL listing a 3 months manufacturer warranty.

The reference cabinets at a glance:

FAQ: garage tools

What is a parts washer cabinet?

It is a steel cabinet with a basin on top, a tank below and an electric pump that sends solvent over dirty parts. The part sits in the basin while the pump washes it, and the solvent drains back into the tank for the next part.

How big a parts washer do I need?

Match the tank to the parts. A 3.5 gallon bench-top reservoir, as the BIG RED listing states, suits small parts such as wheel bearings, gears and carburetors. A 20 gallon tank with a 12 gallon solvent capacity, as the MOTORHOT and JEGS listings state, suits bigger jobs. A 40 gallon cabinet with a 24 gallon solvent capacity, as the ALYIAMXL listing states, is workshop-scale.

Can I use mineral spirits in a parts washer?

Not in every unit. The BIG RED listing says its washer is not for use with flammable or combustible solvents such as mineral spirits. Use a solvent the maker allows for the unit, and follow the included instructions and local disposal requirements.

What is a fusible-link lid?

It is a hinged lid held open by a fusible link: when heat rises the link releases and the lid closes on its own. The MOTORHOT listing says its hinged cover has a fuse and closes automatically when the temperature exceeds the safety limit. The BIG RED listing says its hinged, fusible link lid closes when not in use and helps prevent accidental fire.

How much solvent does a parts washer hold?

It varies by unit. The MOTORHOT and JEGS cabinets have a 20 gallon tank with a 12 gallon solvent capacity, the ALYIAMXL cabinet holds up to 40 gallons with a 24 gallon solvent capacity, and the BIG RED bench-top unit has a 3.5 gallon fluid reservoir.

Do parts washers need power?

The cabinets here use an electric pump where the listing states it. The listings that state power list 110V for the BIG RED unit, 120V at 60 Hz and 43W for the MOTORHOT unit, and 110/120V for the JEGS unit. The ALYIAMXL listing describes an electric cabinet without stating voltage, and the ZeHuoGe listing does not state power in the data given.

Related: parts washer fluid types and how to choose, safety clean parts washers, how to choose a portable parts washer and the engine and shop equipment hub. Also see our best carburetor cleaners and how an ultrasonic cleaner works.