Power Washer (Pressure Washer) Recommendation?

[jyl]

I've borrowed a friend's power washer to strip the dirt and old stain off my fence, and I think I'm going to need one of my own. For one thing, its going to take long enough to do this, that I don't want to borrow his for the whole time. But which one to buy?

Pretty sure I want electric, partly because I don't want to spend >$250, partly for less noise, and partly because I don't want to dig a gas washer out of the garage after the long winter and then be posting here "help washer won't start damn ethanol".

So, does anyone have an electric power washer that they really like and would recommend?

His is an electric Husky 1750, which I think means 1750 psi. 1.5 gpm I think. It does the job, rather slowly, but quietly too. I have no idea how reliable it is, or how it compares w/ other models.

[Oracle]

I have a small Karcher 1200 psi that has taken all possible abuse over the last 7-8 years and its running perfectly. That model is a bit weak but fine for small jobs like blow the bugs off the cars, small oil stains on the floor, fence, patio furniture, etc..

The only thing I don't like about this model it doesn't have the built in solution bottle so it's a pain if I want to use soap cause I have to drag a milk jug next to it.

In the 80s Karcher was the leader and built the best, nowadays hondas are good too (I've been told) but they're usually more expensive.

I will buy a Karcher when this one dies..

[Evans, Marv]

I probably have the same Karcher pressure washer that Oracle does. It's still going strong. I just borrowed the same Husky washer from my neighbor. I really liked it for a small washer. I'd consider getting one of those if I was in the market for a small electric model.

[cantdrv55]

Sounds like a good Father's Day gift.

[Macroni]

Home depot ...3000 psi $500 dollars ridge w/ subie motor.
Stay away from electric cheapos.

[89911]

I've had both electric and gas. The gas one I just took back to Lowes after it wouldn't start this spring. It was virtually new and a Honda engine, so go figure. I've had an electric Karcher washer that I got from Sam's years ago that works for most of my needs. It really depends on what you need it for. If it is for minor cleaning of decks, cement floors, cars, patio furniture and like, it is fine. I found it much more conveinent also in that I can use it in my garage without the emissions of exhaust fumes. I am most likely going to buy another gas one, but I am shopping around. I found after I use it 2-3 times a year is just sits. Any neighbors that will lend you theirs?

[jyl]

Well, I just finished power washing >150 feet of wood fence, stripped off dirt and old stain and it's ready for new stain/seal. Also stripped off some outdoor benches. Took awhile but no real effort. So, these things are useful, I'd like to have one. Husky 1800 psi $149 at Home Depot. I'm there.

Edit: I see Husky now makes a 2000 psi electric that supposedly sells for $179. If I could actually find this one at my local Home Depot, I'd buy it.

[mattdavis11]

Buy an orbital head too.

[dad911]

I have both electric & gas, use electric 99% of the time. Like Matt said, get the spinning (orbital) head.

[Por_sha911]

If you need to do a big job, go with the max GPM and not PSI. A friend tried to tell me this when I bought mine to do my 150 foot driveway but I didn't listen. PSI is fine and dandy for cutting power but its the volume of GPM that gets the job done.

[red-beard]

I've had a Sears Craftsman with the Briggs&Stratton engine for 7 years. I've had electric ones and the 5.5 HP unit is superior in everyway. With electric, you have the cord, the hose and the high-pressure hose & wand. With Gas, just the hose and hp line. Mine is 2gpm, 2300 psi and works very very well.

My father has one with a Honda engine. For some reason, his is not starting very well right now. B&S are great engines and they've been building them for years. If I had to do it again, I would go with the higher flow, higher pressure, higher HP unit.

I use mine a lot around here, cleaning concrete every couple of months.

[jyl]

"not starting well" - yesh, no way I am getting a gas engine that will sit in my garage from Sep to May and then not start. Too many posts here with the words "won't start".

No neighbor has one. I'll probably loan mine to them.

[red-beard]

I know. I 'thought' I was getting the cheap engine, but the Briggs and Strattons start year after year.

[Por_sha911]

"Hard starting right now"
Alas, welcome to the wonderful world of ethanol. Pretty soon the phrase will be "for some reason, now it has rust and corrosion"

[MT930]

Karcher 2650 PSI with honda engine & orbital head. Costco 5 years ago, they still have them. Never any problems I use it all the time 10 tank fulls a summer at least.

[Hendog]

I bought a Karcher with Honda 5.0 from Costco about 5years ago as well; 2700 PSI $499.00 But I don't use it enough, so if I were to do it again, I'd go electric. I've had no problems when it comes to starting it. I use Stabil in the gas and I've changed the oil once so far. Maintenance.

[fxeditor]

I've been toying with the idea of buying an electric for the majority of the things I need to do and if I need more oomph, renting a gas. Any reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea?

Michael

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by fxeditor

I've been toying with the idea of buying an electric for the majority of the things I need to do and if I need more oomph, renting a gas. Any reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea?

Michael

That is exactly my approach. Plus, with the low pressure/low flow electric units (got mine from Harbor Freight for $70) you need to work much harder to gouge (or otherwise screw) up whatever you are trying to clean.

[jyl]

When I was at Home Depot, the guy in the outdoor power equipment section told me the electric power washers cannot be used with an extension cord.

Can anyone think of any reason why this would be so? I've been using this borrowed Husky 1750 with a long (50 foot?) orange contractor's extension cord (12 ga I think) all weekend. Probably a total of 6 hours power-washing time - the fence earlier, the driveway today. The cord got barely warm but that was the only thing I noticed. I'm going to ignore him, unless you guys can think of something.

Anyway, I hadn't realized how much mold, moss, dirt, and general darkness and schmutz gets accumulated on everything around my house in three+ years of endless Portland rain. Nice to blast it all off. I think this is going to be a regular spring ritual from now on.

[Oracle]

I suppose the risk of water running into the plug in the extension cord...
As long as the rated is appropriate you should be fine using the extension cord, like any other power tool.