How to clean out a cement mixer

Question

Borrowed a mixer off my brother in law for a bit of a patio job and there's dried concrete stuck all round the drum. What's the best way of getting it out without wrecking it?

Karan · Accepted Answer

Put brick cleaner along with some stone pieces and turn it on for around 15-20 minutes

Darren · Answer

Turn it on and hit with a soft mallet on outside,  then put water and small hardcore in. The longer it turns the cleaner it gets

Cameron · Answer

Carefully knocking the inside of the drum with a mallet

Ryan · Answer

A bag or 2 of ballast and a bucket of water, then let it spin for a couple of hours 👍

Aaron · Answer

If it’s only a thin layer of dried concrete, fill the drum with water and a few shovelfuls of 20mm gravel, then let the mixer run for 20–30 minutes. The gravel acts as an abrasive and will knock most of the concrete loose.

If it’s built up quite heavily, you’ll need to chip it off carefully with a club hammer and a cold chisel or bolster. Avoid hitting the drum too hard, especially if it’s a pressed steel mixer, as you can dent it.

For really stubborn deposits, a cement remover can help soften the residue, but mechanical removal is usually the quickest option.

The best advice is to wash the mixer out thoroughly after every use to stop it building up in the first place.

Dean Jerry · Answer

the best way is to pour some water into drum & then throw in a few half batts/half bricks then switch on the mixer the agitation of the brick whilst the water rolls in the drum helps to clean out the drum make sure you repeat this a few times each time pouring the slurry into a wheel barrow etc do not have mixer facing brickwork or doors/windows etc.

James · Answer

Stick some broken bricks or bits of concrete flags inn the mixer with ABIT of water turn it on leave it running for 10 mins. Pour it out should be nice and clean

Ashraf · Answer

The sooner you clean it, the easier it will be. If the concrete has already hardened, avoid using excessive force or metal tools that could damage the drum.

A good method is to add some water along with a few small stones or gravel, then let the mixer rotate for 15–20 minutes. The stones will help break up the dried concrete without damaging the drum. Afterwards, empty it and rinse thoroughly.

For stubborn build-up, you can carefully use a plastic or wooden scraper. If there's a large amount of hardened concrete, a concrete remover or descaling product can also help—just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Regularly washing the mixer immediately after each use is the best way to prevent concrete from hardening and extending the life of the machine.

John · Answer

Best way is broken bricks when cleaning it out and then a hand brush and water once turned off.

Adam · Answer

The best way is to grab some cement mixer specific cleaner form screwfix or toolstation, it doesnt cost much and it works very well, if you put it in and run the mixer leaving it for 15/20 mins then the cement should dissolve if not then it will break down and you should be able to pull it away from the surface. In future if you clean it whilst running straight after use you will save the hassle. Best of luck! 
Adam. 
Quality Land Solutions

How to clean out a cement mixer

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