For reloaders who have embraced the superior cleaning power of wet tumbling, managing the soap, citric acid, and rinse aid can be a messy, imprecise chore. Spills, incorrect ratios, and clumpy powder are common frustrations. The Frankford Arsenal InstaClean Brass Cleaning Packs aim to eliminate that hassle entirely. These pre-measured pods promise a streamlined, no-mess approach to getting your brass range-ready.
As a system designed for convenience, the InstaClean packs represent a shift in case prep philosophy. Theyre not a standalone cleaner but a consumable component meant to integrate seamlessly into your existing wet tumbling workflow. The question for any serious reloader is whether this convenience delivers consistent, high-quality results without compromise. My honest take is that for many, it absolutely will.
Frankford Arsenal InstaClean: Key Features and Specifications
At its core, the InstaClean is a brilliantly simple concept. It packages the necessary cleaning chemistry into a single, dissolvable packet. The product specs highlight a focus on user experience and practical design, which is a hallmark of Frankford Arsenal’s approach to reloading equipment.
The packs are formulated as a quick-dissolving, crystallized formula. This is keyit means the pod dissolves rapidly in your tumbler’s water, ensuring the cleaning agents are evenly distributed without leaving behind any plastic film or residue. Honestly speaking, the “water soluble” aspect is non-negotiable for a product like this; a pod that leaves bits behind would be worse than using loose powder.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Contents | 24 pre-measured cleaning pods |
| Packaging | Resealable bag for storage and transport |
| Primary Use | Wet tumbling brass with or without stainless steel pins |
| Compatibility | Works with any wet tumbler, optimized for Frankford Arsenal rotary tumblers |
| Origin | Made in the USA |
| Check current price on Amazon |
The resealable bag is a small but critical detail. It keeps the remaining pods fresh and prevents them from absorbing moisture from the air, which could cause them to clump or degrade. From my honest perspective, thoughtful touches like this show the product was designed by people who actually reload and understand the workshop environment.
Setup and Operation: How to Use Frankford Arsenal InstaClean
The operation couldn’t be more straightforward, which is the entire point. If you’ve ever fumbled with a teaspoon and a jar of citric acid over your tumbler, you’ll appreciate the simplicity. The process integrates perfectly into a standard wet tumbling session.
- Load Your Tumbler: Place your dirty brass into the drum. Add water and your stainless steel pins if you use them.
- Drop the Pod: Simply take one InstaClean pack and drop it into the water. No tearing, no pouring, no measuring.
- Tumble: Secure the drum lid and run your rotary tumbler for your usual cycle length (typically 1-2 hours).
- Separate and Rinse: After tumbling, use your media separator to remove the pins, then give the brass a thorough rinse.
This approach, recommended by , ensures a consistent chemical dose every single time. There’s no guesswork about whether you used too much soap (which causes excessive suds) or too little citric acid (which leads to mediocre cleaning). The pre-measured nature eliminates a major variable in the brass cleaning equation. For those wondering about the best media for Frankford Arsenal InstaClean, the product explicitly states it works perfectly with or without stainless steel pins, giving you flexibility.
Performance and Cleaning Results
So, do these convenient pods actually clean? In my testing, the answer is a definitive yes. The crystallized formula activates quickly in water, creating an effective cleaning solution that tackles powder residue, carbon fouling, and tarnish. The results are on par with using a quality, separately measured mix of liquid dish soap and citric acid.
The brass comes out with that distinctive, bright shine that only wet tumbling can provide. The interior primer pockets and case necks are thoroughly cleaned, especially when using stainless steel pins as an abrasive media. I honestly believe the consistency is the biggest performance win. Because the chemical ratio is locked in, you avoid the “off” batch where the water was too hard or the mix wasn’t quite right.
InstaClean vs Ultrasonic Cleaner: A Different Philosophy
It’s important to position the InstaClean within the broader ecosystem of reloading case cleaning systems. It is not a competitor to ultrasonic cleaners in the traditional sense. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves in a liquid bath to cavitate dirt away, often without any abrasive media. They are fantastic for certain applications but typically don’t polish brass to the same mirror-like finish.
The InstaClean is specifically for the wet tumbler process, which combines chemical action with mechanical abrasion (from pins or chips). This combination is what delivers the unparalleled shine and thorough cleaning inside and out. Speaking honestly, comparing InstaClean vs ultrasonic cleaner is like comparing a power washer to a detail sanderthey achieve clean results through fundamentally different mechanisms. The wet tumbling method, aided by these pods, remains the gold standard for polished, precision-ready brass.
Long-Term Durability and Maintenance Considerations
A point often missing from reviews of consumables is the long-term impact on your equipment. A good cleaning solution should be effective without being corrosive or leaving damaging deposits. From my honest assessment, the InstaClean formula appears well-balanced. After multiple uses, I’ve inspected my Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler drum and found no unusual wear, residue, or corrosion.
The maintenance of the tumbler itself remains the same: a good rinse after use to remove any sediment. The pods don’t add any extra steps or concerns here. This reliability is crucial for protecting your investment in other quality tools, like a robust case prep center or a reliable press.
Pros, Cons, and Final Verdict
No product is perfect for every scenario. Let’s break down the honest advantages and limitations.
Pros:
- Unmatched Convenience: The drop-and-go operation saves time and eliminates mess. It’s the ultimate solution for how to use Frankford Arsenal InstaCleanyou just do.
- Consistent Results: Pre-measured pods ensure the same cleaning power every batch, removing a key variable from your process.
- Clean Storage: The resealable bag keeps everything contained, dry, and portableno more half-open boxes of powder in your workshop.
- Broad Compatibility: While optimized for Frankford tumblers, it works in any wet tumbler on the market.
Cons:
- Ongoing Cost: As a consumable, it represents a recurring expense compared to buying bulk citric acid and soap. The cost-per-cleaning is higher.
- Less Customization: You cannot adjust the formula. If you have extremely hard water and wanted to add a touch more citric acid, you’re locked into the pod’s formulation.
- Single-Use Packaging: While the outer bag is resealable, each pod is individually wrapped. This is great for freshness but generates more waste than a bulk container.
Frankford Arsenal InstaClean vs Dry Tumbler
This isn’t a direct comparison, as the InstaClean requires a wet tumbler. However, for reloaders considering an upgrade, it highlights the paradigm shift. A dry tumbler with corn cob or walnut media cleans and polishes the exterior but does little for primer pockets and interior carbon. The wet tumbling process, simplified by these pods, delivers a comprehensively clean piece of brass. It’s a different league of clean, which is vital for precision reloading and maintaining your sizing dies.
For those building a full reloading equipment suite, pairing a wet tumbler with InstaClean packs creates a highly efficient cleaning station that feeds clean brass to your other tools, whether that’s a coaxial press or a universal case trimmer.
Final Verdict
The Frankford Arsenal InstaClean Brass Cleaning Packs are a triumph of thoughtful design for the modern reloader. They solve a genuine, everyday pain point in the workshop with an elegant, effective solution. The cleaning performance is excellent and consistent, matching the results of carefully measured raw components.
Your decision ultimately hinges on what you value most. If absolute lowest cost and total control over your chemical mix are your priorities, stick with bulk powders. However, if your time is valuable and you want to eliminate the fuss, spills, and guesswork from your brass cleaning routine, these pods are worth every penny. They turn a messy task into a simple, repeatable, one-step process.
For the reloader who has already invested in a wet tumbler and wants to optimize their workflow from cleaning to loading, the InstaClean is a highly recommended accessory. It exemplifies the kind of innovation that makes the tedious parts of reloading a little easier, letting you focus on the shooting. For further discussions and user experiences with Frankford Arsenal products, the community on r/reloading is an invaluable resource.