Pressure Washer shopping..where to start?

[the old grind]

I've had great luck with cheap throwaways, but they won't impress anyone if not equipped with a 'turbo nozzle' included or available.

I got ~12 years reliable service out of my first $90 electric, repurposed the cord for battery charger extension when it went to the curb. Net cost maybe $5 year & a few kw. Dozens of decks & tractors cleaned as many work shirts ruined as were tractors 'degreased' with it. :laughing:

The soapy thing works when you 'kerchunk' the handle and its seems to trickle vs blast. That's when the soap dispenser will siphon. Just pre-wet, soap, take five, rinse.

My latest is a Ryobi 141812G, head and shoulders above my old HFT. Ordered on Amazon, and shipped from the fireworks, candy, and puppy-dog store. (HD)

I'm out <$150 if I bust it or it gets stolen. Pre-filter your supply water for longest pump life. You bust a $3000 washer, you could buy a few like mine for the repair cost.

If you want a Kieth Black engine and 3 gpm at 3500 PSI go ahead, but I've seen more paint peeled and siding shattered by OMG pressure washers than by kids & sports equipment. (just sayin')

btw, I've seen muriatic acid clean concrete easy-peasy, turning neutral ph as it etched, and didn't harm spurge, quack, or chickweed growing in the cracks as much as it brightened the slab. (Dark stains & algae before then, vinegar works too)

Once you pull the trigger you're diluting etchants to being pretty benign right away. :2cents:

 

[sodamo]

Had a Porter Cable 3500 psi with B&S engine for a few years, still have the extension poles etc. but almost everytime I used it would spend too much time just getting it started and running. Eventually put a new carb on it and 6 months later go to use and can’t start. Wife convinced me to just give up and replace. Got an electric Ryobi at HD. Works great on our concrete. Have 2 of them for about 4 years now. Wife uses 1, I the other. Vehicles, tractors, deck, other stuff not needing to be stripped. Work well and if they die I’d replace in a heartbeat. Not for your high power stuff, but excellent for general stuff.

 

[coobie]

I think it's time I get a pressure washer. I'm confused on all that is available.

I see 1500 to 4000 psi, elec, gas, soap chambers, heating...

Sure, the top of the line would do it all, but I'm not wealthy enough for that.

I'm not wanting to maintain yet another gas engine...so I want electric.

Want to wash vinyl siding on the house, my alum sided camper, my tractor - I don't need to strip paint.

The dealer pressure washed my tractor when it was in for service - nice and clean, BUT they also took some paint off the three point parts...

Now brands..no clue on that, there are way too many and many are the same jut a different name on the item.

So how much pressure for what I want to do? Too little vs too much pressure? Suggestions on what to get?

I believe the pump in pressure washers are just as important as the motor that runs them.I try to look for one with a General or Cat pump and Honda motor.Every fall I drain mine and use a pump lube when I store it.

 

[Wagtail]

I wish someone made a good electric pressure washer besides the commercial ones that start about 2k but I致e never seen such. The homeowner electric washers are junk. You壇 get more done with a scrub brush and garden hose.

Karcher.

I went with this brand (electric) due to the endorsement of the RAAF... it's what they use to wash down their aircraft and the internal 'parts' are brass.

It hasn't 'let me down' in 6 years of ownership.

 

[big bubba]

a good start to compare models. as far as consumer grade electric washers, you trade performance for light weight & cheaper cost.
you get what you pay for...a lot to choose from. i've learned (for my uses) to steer clear of consumer grade cheap tools.
but my use extends beyond occasional homeowner's use.
a pressure washer is very versatile..personally i wouldn't want to be limited by a tethered power cord
best regards in your selection

Pressure Washers Direct | Power Washer Superstore

 

[John_Mc]

Every fall I drain mine and use a pump lube when I store it.

Very important to prep for winter if you live in an area with freezing temperatures. I trashed my old cheap electric pressure washer when I forgot to do that. The water inside expanded as it froze, busting something up. It was not worth the time and expense to repair.

 

[Budweiser John]

Buying a pressure washer is similar to buying a tractor. Simply stated, buy a little more moxie than you think you need.

B. John

 

[Egon]

Gas or electric is a personal choice with advantages for each. The pump is what it’s all about, axially or plunger and size. They come inexpensive to very pricy. Look up the type of pump & cost to make a decision. On most of the gas powered pumps the engine will have a hollow shaft on either vertical or horizontal engines. The pumps are usually easy to remove/replace. Four bolts.

It ends up Being a personal choice & the amount of money you wish to spend.

 

[prof fate]

cord length is unimportant - i have a small genset i use for all sorts of things like hedges and limbs with an elec chainsaw, etc.

I've lived 57 years without a pressure washer so don't feel I need a $3k one at this point. Nor do I have 3k or 1500 to drop on one.

I'll look at the ryobi ones - probably much better than HF for not much more money.

I've got a few sun-joe items and them work well, can't beat the price. Just got hedge clippers and for $30 they're better than the 30 year old ones that died on me (which woulds cost more than 30 to fix, assuming parts are available). And if you buy a 1000 plus washer you will want to fix it. $100-150? probably not worth fixing if it lasts 3 or 4 years and dies. Such is life to day. When my air compressor died the parts are NLA...I did the used on CL thing and got a year so far out of the replacement (same vintave but portable..handy)

Advice about too powerful is something I'll consider, and I'm aware of getting water into a house.

The best washer is at work - a steam genny, hot, soapy, powerful, steam if you need it too. Needed a forklift to unload it from the truck.

 

[big bubba]

"Advice about too powerful is something I'll consider, and I'm aware of getting water into a house": prof fate
it's all about nozzle choice & angle of wash, not pressure capacity of pressure washer model used in that application