How Clean Should a Funnel Be?

[JRC3]

There's only one proper way to clean a funnel.




"Frank the Tank! Frank the Tank! Frank the Tank!" LOL

 

[M6erfan]

I wipe mine out before use. I keep my funnels in a 5ga bucket that's covered to keep the majority of debris out.

 

[aka Larry]

I just wipe mine out with a paper towel and pull it through the end.

This is exactly what I do.

 

[M635_Guy]

This is exactly what I do.

Me too.

I have to say this thread has relieved any guilt I've ever had about how I treat and store funnels.

 

[Ralf11]

The cleanliness of your oil change funnel should be proportional to the cost of an engine rebuild.

I wipe mine out and flip it upside down on with something covering the small end to keep out dirt

 

[Swervyjoe]

Nearly good enough for government work. Or at least government contractors.

 

[dnschmidt]

Spray with Super Clean, wash out with garden hose, wipe with paper towel then blow dry with my little Milwaukee air blower. DONE. Super Clean is the bomb for dissolving oil and grease.

 

[Ralf11]

Google Scholar

scholar.google.com

 

[Qualitytools]

After each use I clean it with brake kleen and store the funnel in a Zip Lock bag to keep dust out until next use.

 

[laser3kw]

The question is how clean is clean enough the next time a funnel is put to use? For motor oil, I'll normally just wipe out with a clean rag. Sometimes I'll use some brake cleaner to clean off oily residue.

^^^ modified - I do that for all funnels regardless of fluid. I also might stuff a paper towel down it just cuz it makes my OCD better

 

[ajchien]

I have a crudely made funnel holder that I put them in and let them drip into a collection tray. I have a funnel for coolant, oil, windshield fluid, trans/hydraulic oil, and waste collection. Usually I look inside and wipe clean with a rag if needed before use.

 

[BTL-A4]

Wow! All this for funnels. I thought having 4 of different sizes was a bit excessive, but storing them in special bags and having fixtures and buckets and special wiping procedures is making me wonder what I've been doing wrong all these years! Ha!

I just wipe mine down, store the paper towel in it until next time and make sure not to use anything from the kitchen in the garage.

 

[Ralf11]

Wow! All this for funnels. ...

I'm waiting for the posts on autoclaving funnels

 

[MarvinBerry]

...Clean? Don't think I've ever cleaned a funnel.

As a homeowner type I don't do oil changes & they're used so infrequently for other fluids it's never been a thought.

Gas into the snowblower... washer fluid... whatever.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

There's only one proper way to clean a funnel.




"Frank the Tank! Frank the Tank! Frank the Tank!" LOL

The ladies ***** endlessly if you leave even one spot of grease on their pee funnel.

 

[evintho]

Mine sit and drain in the funnel rack. If I notice any dirt accumulated on them, I give 'em a quick shot of Simple Green and a wipedown before use............

 

[Ralf11]

your funnel rack needs a dust cover!

 

[pcmeiners]

As to cleanliness, it all depends if I am using motor oil or organic phosphates, quite a wide range cleanliness.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

With a garage funnel if i am in doubt …. I wait until after dark and when i take out the garbage …. I rinse the funnel with my recycled beer.
Drip dry overnight.

 

[regguy1]

Just how much cleaning do you do on a funnel before putting it to use?

Background: I have a bucket of funnels, all plastic. The most common use is engine oil changes on our family fleet. Throw in various other fluid changes and fillings they see antifreeze, transmission fluid, brake fluid, water, gasoline, diesel, fuel additives and, once in a while, pesticide/herbicide. I try to at least wipe them out before putting them back in the storage bucket.

The question is how clean is clean enough the next time a funnel is put to use? For motor oil, I'll normally just wipe out with a clean rag. Sometimes I'll use some brake cleaner to clean off oily residue.

What does the crowd suggest?

Don't wipe them with a rag if you're going to put oil in your engine. rags leave small amounts of lint you can't see and over time will accumulate on th oil pickup screen, use paper towels or clean solvent and blow dry with compressed air. Just in case you don't believe me, I owned a transmission shop for 40 years, several times I had guys who rebuilt (tried to) their own transmissions and more than once the complaint was after a few miles it stopped moving, more often than not they wiped parts with rags anf soon after the filter plugged up with lint.

 

[Swervyjoe]

All these highfalutin store bought funnels. Cut the bottom off a jug or bottle and you're in business.

 

[bobg03]

I'm waiting for the posts on autoclaving funnels

I was afraid someone would think my OCD was bad...

 

[evintho]

your funnel rack needs a dust cover!

I throw an old bedsheet over them. Works wonders!

 

[Sumboodie]

Rinse out in solvent tank if it's got stuff stuck to the inside. Otherwise brake clean or a rag. Or just use it.