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Pressure Washer

scratchpad

scratchpad

Active member
Joined
Jul 13, 2003
Location
SJV
Moto(s)
PAN AMERICA
I have an old electric Karcher light duty that works half ass. Its time to upgrade. Junk hose is now kinked in a few spots and ive turned the plastic female threaded hose insert to quick connect. Pump seems to act up. Theres newer style and better product nowadays. Specifically, pumps, quick connects and better hose. Looking for something light to medium duty. Would love to have hot steam abilities but thats more than im willing to spend.


What do you got and whats your like and dislikes about it?
 
I'm curious too. I was thinking of getting a light duty electric for bike washed and cleaning spots on my driveway.
 
They are all pretty disposable or at least shortish service life. It has been a while since I was shopping for one but iirc, all of them pretty much used the Italian brand InterPump for the pressure section. High dollar units to Northern Tool chinese crap had these pumps. For some reason they all give out after no more than a few years, with perhaps some exceptions. It has something to do with the o-rings I think. They just don’t like sitting around.

I have had a half dozen Kärcher electric models. All of them shit the bed eventually. Some under a year. Costco in the US used to take them back but not here in Mexico.
The one I have now is some $50 model I bought in a grocery store here. Works fine for washing down my balcony. When it dies, no great loss. At least not like the $300 models I have had in the past.

I looked at buying a “Hotsy” to start a service down here. The name brand ones are pricey but Northern has them at an affordable price point.
 
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I bought a refurbished Ryobi 2300 PSI 1.2 GPM model for $150. I like it!
 
two wheel tramp said:
I bought a refurbished Ryobi 2300 PSI 1.2 GPM model for $150. I like it!
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Mine just broke after minimal use. The plastic gets brittle and splits at the seam on the "gun". Did get a couple years out of it tho so I'm sure you're fine. I didn't use it that often though which is the annoying part. Just a heads up.
 
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I think there was a somewhat recent thread on this, but can't find it.

I'd gone through a few bargain electrics over the years, and finally sprung a few hundred on a gas-powered Ryobi like this one a while back. The difference is day and night, the electrics seem like toys in comparison.
 
Electrics all seem to be underpowered and disposable relative to the gas ones--But cheaper. If I were to go gas powered, I'd probably go through the Costco route for the return policy in case a $300+ unit gets cranky on me.

Without doing research, I got this guy 2~3 years ago for $130 and it's still going strong: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XKLNN6Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I sometimes wish I had a bit more power when there's a particularly stubborn bit of schmutz I'm working on, but it gets the job done and I don't regret the price value for car washes. My neighbors seem to be jealous of my foam gun powered quick car washes.

The $80 furby seems like a great deal for folks who aren't fussy: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pressure-washer/
 
If you want it for car washing with a cannon, the gpm is more important than the pressure. Volume is needed for snow cannon performance.
 
I have the Husqvarna 3200 PSI Gas Pressure Washer from Costco. Sale price $259. I had an old 1900 PSI Craftsman that while working was getting old. CL for $100 and sold the first day up. Really like the Husqvarna.
 
Can never go wrong with Costcos return policy, however, that husky for that price has a briggs and stratton motor. Which is probably fine but for that same price i can get one with a Honda and likely wont have to return.

Kohlers are good too, have one in my Husqvarna riding mower. Like anything if its maintained properly it should last. But Honda is a Honda.

So, electric or gas?

Electric- The light duty portable electric units look like Karcher or AR blue may be the go tos. Smaller , lighter, less noise, less maintenance and take up less space. I know with my old Karcher the power cord would be a PITA at times. The test/reset buttons on the cord would trip at times when powering on.

Gas- If i were to go gas itd probably be one with a Honda. Generac may be an option. Read about happy customers online. Looks like all parts are replaceable on better gas units. Not sure i want ANOTHER fuel using tool around thatll only be used a handful of times per year. And with the ethanol fuel clogging up shit all the time if its not used for a month or two i usually spend alot more time than i want to cleaning shit up.

Choices!
 
scratchpad said:
Electric- The light duty portable electric units look like Karcher or AR blue may be the go tos. Smaller , lighter, less noise, less maintenance and take up less space. I know with my old Karcher the power cord would be a PITA at times. The test/reset buttons on the cord would trip at times when powering on.
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I've yet to see a 110v electric that isn't underpowered compared to a gas one.

Gas- If i were to go gas itd probably be one with a Honda. Generac may be an option. Read about happy customers online. Looks like all parts are replaceable on better gas units. Not sure i want ANOTHER fuel using tool around thatll only be used a handful of times per year. And with the ethanol fuel clogging up shit all the time if its not used for a month or two i usually spend alot more time than i want to cleaning shit up.
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Good point. The Ryobi gas unit I wound up with is Honda powered (looks like they've switched to Kohler since) and has a fuel shutoff valve. I always shut it off that way and let it burn off all the fuel in the bowl to avoid it gunking up.

I'd suggest anyone going the gas route and have occasional use add a shutoff to avoid having to de-gunk
 
kingmoochr said:
If you want it for car washing with a cannon, the gpm is more important than the pressure. Volume is needed for snow cannon performance.
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What timing. I just got a foam cannon for car washing and have been scouring CL and FB for pressure washers. Everyone wants $200+ for their used ones and there's easily 20+ for sale locally. For that price, I'd pay full price for a new one.

I can get a used one from my dad but it's a loud, big two wheel 3000psi+ likely $800 new model, likely overkill for my needs and probably too loud to fire up just wash the car 2x a month.
 
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Dubbington said:
What timing. I just got a foam cannon for car washing and have been scouring CL and FB for pressure washers. Everyone wants $200+ for their used ones and there's easily 20+ for sale locally. For that price, I'd pay full price for a new one.

I can get a used one from my dad but it's a loud, big two wheel 3000psi+ likely $800 new model, likely overkill for my needs and probably too loud to fire up just wash the car 2x a month.
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My sunjoe from Amazon works just fine for less than that. 1.8gpm, most of the cheap ones are 1.2.
 
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