Degreasing Bear Skull

[pd]

Thanks to everyone for the tips, I just built a degreasing tub with a 1500 watt heater element, I filled it with water above the element and put my two 5 gal buckets full of water in the tub now she is degreasing away at 120 degrees. No more fish tank heater.

Could you describe the 1,500W heater element.  I have a deer skull that needs some re-work.

[blindluck]

pd I bought a 1500 watt water heater element at home depot drilled a 1 1/4" hole about 4'' up from the bottom of a plastic storage bin, the element will seal up against the tub on the outside. then i used a PVC threaded coupler on the inside of the tub to hold the element tight to the wall of the tub. you also want to use high temp silicone where the coupler seals against the tub. Then mount a lower thermostat to the side of the tub and use the silicone where the two bolts mount thru the tub. I bought a extension cord and wired the element to the thermostat then from the thermostat about a 5 foot lead that plugs into the outlet. works perfect.  $25.00 to build an about 30 minutes. key is never let the element get above the water when plugged in or it will burn up.

[pd]

pd I bought a 1500 watt water heater element at home depot drilled a 1 1/4" hole about 4'' up from the bottom of a plastic storage bin, the element will seal up against the tub on the outside. then i used a PVC threaded coupler on the inside of the tub to hold the element tight to the wall of the tub. you also want to use high temp silicone where the coupler seals against the tub. Then mount a lower thermostat to the side of the tub and use the silicone where the two bolts mount thru the tub. I bought a extension cord and wired the element to the thermostat then from the thermostat about a 5 foot lead that plugs into the outlet. works perfect.  $25.00 to build an about 30 minutes. key is never let the element get above the water when plugged in or it will burn up.

That is very clever, BlindLuck.  Thanks for sharing.

[NRA4LIFE]

I put a bit of 20 mule team borax in my boiling water when cleaning the skull and it is nearly degreased already when I am done.  A quick soak in hot dawn & water and it's done.  I have never had any grease leach out of any of my skulls.  Have done a half dozen or so like this.  The borax also aids in getting all the crud out as it turns it all jelly-like.

[sirmissalot]

I put a bit of 20 mule team borax in my boiling water when cleaning the skull and it is nearly degreased already when I am done.  A quick soak in hot dawn & water and it's done.  I have never had any grease leach out of any of my skulls.  Have done a half dozen or so like this.  The borax also aids in getting all the crud out as it turns it all jelly-like.

Do you mind posting a few pictures? I've never seen a boiled skull turn out pure white, and definitely not stay pure white if not degreased.