Maintenance Series: Reflow Oven

It’s not just your kitchen oven that needs spring cleaning.
–TC Loy

Q: Can I clean at an ambient temperature?
A: Yes, but it will take a long time compared to a heated bath. Temperature is a simple way to speed up cleaning.
Q: Can I just soak the parts?
A: The answer to this question is also yes, but it will take a long time compared to a process with additional energy. Air sparging and especially ultrasonic significantly shortens the cleaning time.
Q: Do I need to rinse the parts after washing?
A: As there will be flux residue dissolved in the bath, a very small amount of residue will be left on the part if it is not rinsed. This is not very significant, and you can do away with it. However, if you want a very clean part, then rinsing is the answer.