ultrasonic fruit and vegetable washer

[Anna2010]

Sport introduced me to Samson ultrasonic fruit and vegetable washer. I did some research and came up with a more advanced model, as shown in the following website.

http://www.fernsnutrition.com/ultrasonic_washer.html

There are not many reviews I can find about this model. I did research on other models and reaped some concerns. So I would like to ask if anyone can provide some feedback on this model. My two main concerns are; (1) Is the ozone gas the machine may emit a threat to my family's health? (2) Will ultrasonic waves hurt my hearing if I work near the machine while it is operated? Maybe some scientific minds can help me out.

[willowriver]

Interesting ... I've never seen an ultrasonic washer for foods.
I'm a physicist, and I work with an ultrasonic washer for things like circuit boards on a fairly regular basis. This seems like the same thing, but larger, lower power (hopefully), and with ozone.

It's an interesting idea. I'd call and ask about the power. If they haven't really scaled down from those other things like jewelry washers, your food is likely to get slightly surface-bruised or even a little "cooked," depending on the amplitude and sonic frequency. Those other ultrasonic washers will cause significant pain (feels like a bruise) to hands stuck in them at the wrong time.
However, if they scaled down the power a lot, it probably works pretty well. Depends if you need your veggies that clean. Because it should be able to get off pretty much every last speck of dirt. If it works like it says on those pesticides though, it could be worth it. Up to you.

If you buy it though, you should probably find a way to turn off or "break" the ozone producer. I don't know whose idea it was to try and sell ozone stuff to natural-types (I heard it called "an ultra-pure type of oxygen!" once, to try and dupe people who care about their health ... tsk tsk!), but it's not a good trend, in my opinion. Ozone is an oxidizer. It kills bacteria or your own cells in exactly the same way. It's the reason you can't go outside in the summer on bad air quality days, because it will destroy your lungs. If killing bacteria is the goal, I'm a fan of UV light, because once you shut off the light, there are no traces of the oxidizer anywhere.

[Anna2010]

Thank you Willowriver. I will contact the company to find out about the power and the azone gas issues.

[Anna2010]

I obtained a reply from the Samson company, as follows:

"Used properly, there is no burning or damage caused. You can put your hand in the basin under full power with no ill affect. The other washers you mention are not for food.

The Ozone is released in the water, not into the air.

The machine makes a sound, but is not that loud.

There are no filters to change. Just keep it clean.

The Samson Washer is latest in technology. "

I just ordered a washer from them. It is interesting that they charge less than all the other dealers I checked. They charge $229. I attach their website below for those who might be interested.

http://www.samsonjuicers.com/washers.php