I have had a good laugh here!On a more serious note proper parts cleaner is well worth buying or better still making using a 2nd hand stainless bench top or laundry tub/s.I made one 25 years ago,invaluable.Some good advice,use water based cleaners not engine degreasers (which are much better),the engine degreasers are carcinogenic and absorbed by the skin into the liver.An old dishwasher is a very good idea,they usually fail because of electronic problems and are too expensive to fix.
I have at present a dishwasher that has problem electronics,its 14 years old so I intend to buy a new one and use the old one as an extra parts cleaner.I will re wire the washer motor,pump,and heater to 3 separate circuits so it works manually.
One question though,apart from the proper dishwasher tablets powder what else will do the job in it?
I ask because I tried the same stunt as you young guys not so long ago but I used lux liquid,what a disaster!!!and got caught out because it was a huge bubble bath!I am still trying to live that one down!
David