Thread: Steam cleaner

I just bought an old Clayton 'Steamin' Deamon' kero-fired steam cleaner. It looks all there and only slightly 'fiddled' with, and I came with a ue ad maintenance manual.
I have vivid memories using one of these 40 years ago with excellent results.
An hints or opinions on these things? What detergent to use? How do they really compare to modern pressure cleaners? Should I make it go again or pull it apart for the pump and useful bits?
PS: I pad $22 for it....

Sigh. There's always something else...

I'd try it as is Joe - if it really is generating good steam then oil and grease should come off easily without detergent.

Michael

Originally Posted by jhovel

I just bought an old Clayton 'Steamin' Deamon' kero-fired steam cleaner. It looks all there and only slightly 'fiddled' with, and I came with a ue ad maintenance manual.
I have vivid memories using one of these 40 years ago with excellent results.
An hints or opinions on these things? What detergent to use? How do they really compare to modern pressure cleaners? Should I make it go again or pull it apart for the pump and useful bits?
PS: I pad $22 for it....

Ah, the old steamin Demon, the bro in law bought one of those. The damn thing nearly killed me.

Be aware that the arc for the flame igniter is very high voltage and it can and will belt the hell out of you if you fiddle around that area while it's going.

I know, I've felt it's wrath and for a moment I thought I was going to die - really really nasty shock from that thing.

The problems with these old steam cleaners are generally that the plastic pump housing leaks, and the steam coil get calcified and blocks down flow.

The bro in law's unit finally got going so well, it ran out of control at some humungouse steam pressure, and proceeded to send the steam hose flying around spewing steam and boiling water all over the place, the pair of us abandoning ship and running for our lives to switch off the power.

Not something I want to go through again. Death machine in my opinion.

It never did go properly and I believe it's still languishing at the back of one of the farm sheds making a home for the rats.

Good luck with it - but be damn careful

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

The bro in law's unit finally got going so well, it ran out of control at some humungouse steam pressure, and proceeded to send the steam hose flying around spewing steam and boiling water all over the place, the pair of us abandoning ship and running for our lives to switch off the power.

That's a very funny description! Sorry to laugh at your expense Rob but you paint a very funny picture!

Hi Joe,

$22 ? can't complain about that, even if you end up using it for parts. Give it a go and see what happens. When I want to test something that I feel is very dodgy, I usually connect it all up and then switch on the power from about 50M away and watch with binoculars. I then gradually move in if it looks safe!

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

That's a very funny description! Sorry to laugh at your expense Rob but you paint a very funny picture!

Simon

Yeah, it's a story that always gets dragged out at a family barby.

Remember the time the death machine nearly got us............................................

Lots of chuckles, especially from the fairer sex.

Man and his machines.

Rob

Originally Posted by jhovel

PS: I pad $22 for it....

you burglar...

been trying to find one for years at a decent price