How to Clean Out a Sluice Box

Possible Gold?

Sluice boxes are used by prospectors to separate gravel from gold. They are placed in a stream on a slight incline so that water will run through the box in such a way that when gravel is scooped in the open and elevated end, lighter pieces of gravel will wash away, but heavier pieces, possibly gold, will settle into the box. Riffles inside the sluice box aid in this process by slowing the speed of water so heavy objects will drop. While you are prospecting for gold, you should periodically clean your sluice box before it becomes clogged.

Things You'll Need

• Sluice box
• Bucket

Instructions

Hand Fed Sluice Box

1. Place your last scoop in of gravel into the sluice box. Let the water flow for a few seconds and remove any heavy rocks. Then carefully pick up your sluice box so that nothing spills out.

2. Put the downstream end of your sluice box into your bucket. Be sure to check for any gold nuggets.

3. Rinse the riffles with water after your release their catches. Then either remove or lift them out of the way (depending on your model).

4. Remove the miner's moss or carpet under the riffles. Rinse it clean.

5. Rinse your sluice box with water until all dirt, gravel and debris are removed. Replace the miner's moss or carpet. Then replace the riffles or push them back into place.

Power Sluice Box

1. Allow the power sluice box to run for a few minutes to get rid of all the excess gravel.

2. Turn the engine off and remove the screen, which is usually secured by a wing nut. Be sure not to lose the wing nut. Either put it somewhere safe or put it back on without the screen.

3. Open up the riffles, usually by unsnapping them and folding them back. Be careful not to let the riffles fall back into place while cleaning as that can cause an injury.

4. Put a large bucket or tray at the end of the power sluice and roll out the miner's moss or carpet and wash it out in the bucket.

5. Rinse away all the extra gravel in the sluice box by scooping water into the box, and replace the carpet, fold back the riffles and place the screen back on with the wing nut.

Tips & Warnings

• Always read your manufacturer's directions to learn the best way to clean your specific model sluice box.

References

• How Sluice Boxes Work
• Gold Sledge: Power Sluice Box