Electric power washer

[Bob in Oakboro]

I am starting to look at a new power washer. I am thinking that an electric one would be best for me. Normally all I wash is a little grease and oil off the tractors. Once in a while I will clean the underside of a mower deck. and moss off the brick on the house/outdoor furniture.

What would you suggest? How much psi should it create? Any particular brand better than the others?
 

[Billy Shafer]

I have found most of them are only good for light duty. Never really had any good luck with them.
 

[Ted in NE-OH]

Electricity and water don"t mix too well , go gas.
 

[George Marsh]

Bob, I would suggest using someone's electric to decide if it's enough pressure for you.

I've used 2 electric's and they are not enough for me.

I have a 6.5 hp/2500 psi and a 13 hp/4000psi pressure washer and sometimes I wish I had more pressure.
George
 

[retired farmer]

We have a KARCHER, think that is how it is spelled. Works good. Little expensive.
 

[buickanddeere]

If the pump isn"t a three piston ceramic cat or comet. Leave the washer in the store. Once you connect a ceramic pump to the hot water tap. You won"t go back to a cold water toy washer.
 

[LenND]

For what you are going to do an electric one will work fine. and they aren't expensive if you get a cold water one. I have a Karcher and I use it to clean my garage floors with--works great. Course if you want more pressure and more power then it will cost a lot more money.
 

[RayP(MI)]

Can only get about so much pressure out a washer that you can plug into a 15 or 20 amp outlet. Look at the specs on some electrics, compared with a 5hp, or larger. I have a 5.5hp, sometimes wish it had more. Don"t think you"re going to be happy with electric.
 

[Tech 7]

Would much rather have a 1500 PSI hot water machine than a 2000 psi cold. Ever wash grease off your hands in cold water? Also watch gallonage specs on washers. 2000 psi won't do a lot of work at 1-1/2 gpm. Would like to see 2gpm minimum
 

[Glenn F.]

A friend of mine owns a pressure washing buisness. Comet pumps just do not hold up. Cat parts are expensive, and they'll find a way to weasel out of the warranty.

Glenn F.
 

[Stephen Newell]

I bought a Karcher power washer and it quickly quit running so I took it back for an exchange. The replacement lasted for about a year and started pouring water out of the pump itself. After using it like that for a couple of months it finally quit. I then bought a 1500 psi Power washer brand washer from Walmart. After using it for six months it started leaking water badly around the nozzle. Now after having it a year the motor is making noises like its ready to go out. So I'm in the same boat and would also like to know a good brand.
 

[Glenn F.]

Grounded properly they're no problem. I've got a 10 hp Baldor (slight overkill, but 7.5 is not enough) on a 4 gpm General pump. VERY pleased. Commercial/continuous duty cycle.

Glenn
 

[Bob Bancroft]

When I found out a company just a couple hours east of me made them, my decision was made,
Custom Klean, Kleanline machines, I think? Holland Patent,NY
I don't recall the HP, but it is electric. 1500PSI. 1.5GPM I think. With an oil burner heater.
It will peel paint. You don't want to hold it too close to a fan belt.
All I've done to it is switch the motor from 110 to 220, and replace o-rings in the quick couplers(sent to me at no charge)
 

[willie in mn]

Electricity & water no problem unless abused or damaged. If there would be a danger with them together, how about the machines that wash your clothes & dishes, The submersable pump in the bottom of your water well, or even the electric pump inside the fuel tank on your car or truck?
WJ
 

[fixerupper]

I'll second that on the Cat pumps. In my neck of the woods the pressure washer business is big because of the hog industry. Darned near everyone who's connected with washing hog buildings recommends a Cat pump and they pur many, many hours on them. All pressure washers are just assembled parts that are made somewhere else so find a local dealer who's been there awhile and part with your money at his business. Do not go cheap. In my old shop I have a 1000 PSI washer that I bought at least twenty years ago and I haven't spent a dime on the washer itself. For the past 15 years it's been fed by the water heater in my shop, set at a slightly hot temp and it still keeps plugging along. I don't know what brand it is. I bought it at the local IH dealer, that's all I know. I have a 4000 PSI 4 GPM gas powered washer with hot water for big jobs, but the little one in the shop gets the most hours put on it.

I stole, er, bought the 4000 psi one with 20 hours on it for $500 with 50 feet of hose and several nozzles including a rotary. It has a 13HP Honda and Cat pump. The hot water comes from a used independent fuel burner on wheels that I picked up for $100. It's a little more complicated to use than an electric washer/heater combo but I only have $600 in the whole works. It's just an example of what you can get if you aren't hung up on going ultra modern and fancy.Jim