We Vinyl Ultrasonic or Vacuum Cleaner?

Your question is simple but you got some complicated answers

If you buy a new record , clean it and store it in a MOFI or any good quality poly sleeve and you probably won’t ever have to wash it again

I’ve tried nearly every cleaning machine and the got the 

Elmasonic P60 H with the recommendation of a record cleaning service that washes records commercially for a living

You will need a rotisserie like the Vinyl Stack product that’s been discontinued but you may find one used 

The Elmasonic cavitates at 2 different frequencies small and large bubbles 

15 minutes and the record comes out completely clean

air dry for 15-20 minutes and your done

Good luck

@larryincmh Thanks, Larry.  The Nova is a bit beyond my budget, but thanks for the heads up.  I really don't need much, using a SpinClean now, which actually isn't bad for a very basic cleaning, but I the HumminGuru will be a big improvement.  Years ago I had one of the classic vacuum tables but it was in poor condition and I hated the noise and mess.  I never really felt it was doing a good job.  If the HumminGuru works out I might be able to return it and upgrade next month, so I'll keep that in mind.

@willy-t Have you ever tried the Loricraft machines? 

In your experience, does the Elmasonic P60H clean records to the point where there are zero clicks or noise and as good or sounding better than the best vacuum machines like the Loricraft?

Do you use only distilled water to clean your old and new records? Or add a specific cleaner to the water.

I've read that some people are concerned that ultrasonic cleaners can actually microscopically alter/damage the grooves but I have no idea if that is true. Thx

how does the OkkiNokki work? You place a dirty record on its turntable, wash one side and vacuum it. Side 1 is now clean. You then repeat it for side 2. That requires flipping a record and now your clean side is in contact with a dirty turntable. In addition the vacuum will scratch your record if there’s a debris that’s lodged in its felt strip. Or m I missing something? 

I use a very simple method - two tubs of knosti disco antistat.

Step 1 - wash in a solution of tergikleen and distilled water

Step 2 - rinse in a second tub filled with distilled water

Step 3 - air dry using supplied rack 

I would use ultrasonic, then rinse in distilled water and air dry. There’s no perfect way to clean a vinyl record. Just a different degree of risk in damaging it. 

@audphile1 The Okki Nokki has a choice between small and large platters. I use the small one that supports in the label area. Roughly 4 inches across, the same size as the clamp. The vinyl grooves touch nothing. 

Even the used albums I buy are free from pebbles and twigs, so there is nothing of significance that is going to be caught in the felt. I have owned a VPI for years and years, and never once had a scenario you concocted come up. The user can lift the wand out of the machine, and inspect and rinse the felt pad you know. 

My decision to use a vacuum dry process is two fold. One its much quicker, and gets the vinyl drier. If you leave a record out long enough to air dry, you are allowing dust to deposit again. My ultrasonic machine has a fan dry stage, and that works well, but that is still time consuming. 

Secondly, I am not convinced that all particulate is pulled off a record in an ultrasonic bath, or that a small amount does not flat and redeposit when the record is removed from the bath. A final rinse and vacuum step removes that possibility.