Electric Pressure Washers

[crokett]

Are they worth it? LOML decided yesterday we need a pressure washer after noticing the cobwebs on the porch. I didn't mention that a broom works great. I really don't want another engine that needs to be maintained.

[Thom2]

2 or 3 yeas ago I bought a Husky on sale at HD. I went with electric for the exact same reason you're thinking of, I've got enough stale gas to deal with in the spring.

Overall I've been happy with it, it cleans the deck, cleans the concrete, cleans the siding etc. There's times I wish it had a little more grunt to it and have thought about replacing it, but knowing that I can just plug it in and go has got some merit to it.

[thestinker]

I have the husky from HD also. It cleans everything I need, maybe just not as fast as a gas powered, but there is 0 mantanince with it.

[jackellis]

I bought a Generac electric for $20 at a garage sale some time ago and used it to clean two decks, a driveway and a patio before the motor failed. Just purchased a generic brand electric unit precisely because I don't want to be messing with a gas engine or gasoline.

They work well enough. If I had to use it frequently and for really large jobs, I'd get a gas engine but for occasional household use, it's fine.

[LarryG]

I'm another with a very occasional need for a pressure washer, and the simplicity of electric appeals to me, too. How much does one need to spend to get a decent electric model?

[HarmsWay]

Cobwebs don't take much water pressure but other jobs do. I bought a gas one to blast barnacles off our boat (once a month to avoid having to bottom paint). An electric one would couldn't do that. I finally cleaned the driveway this year and it took 3 hours of full-on concentrated spray. My neighbors electric one couldn't do that for similar conditions. For everything else I've personally used my gas washer for, an electric one would have done the job as well and with less fuss.

I've used mine for 8 years and it's been trouble free except after lending it to a friend, who managed to melt the hose in half and fill the the gas tank with water.

If you've got some applications in mind, try to rent one similar to the one you'd like to buy to see how effective it will be.

Bob

[docrowan]

I'm too cheap to buy one, but my FIL gave me his old electric after he got his gas powered. For an old used unit, it does okay and the price was right. I'd say it takes about double the time to do the same job as a gas powered. Can't speak to barnacle blasting , but my electric is too powerful for cobwebs. A 5 gallon sprayer of JoMax/bleach followed by a spray with a good spray nozzle will clean out cobwebs, mildew, and surface dirt off any siding and eaves. No need to blast it off. I use my pressure washer to clean the concrete sidewalks and driveway.

I try to use it after I get home from work and am too tired or stressed to do anything else. There's something so hypnotic about watching that black concrete turn white that I don't really care too much about the time spent. Only problem I have with mine is I have to stoop a little to use it and this gets uncomfortable. I've been trying to figure out a retrofit handle that will enable me to stand up straight yet have the nozzle close to the surface.

[Scottydont]

I labored over this same subject for along time. If you look at other forums and product reviews, the Karcher, Campbell Hausfeld and Husky brands are the most popular. Lots of complaints about plastic fittings breaking, inadequate pressure, pump/motors failures after 1-3 years. They are pretty much disposable. IMHO don't waste your money.

You can pick up a decent used gas one for what you would pay for a new electric. I opted to rent a gas one once a year till I found a gas one on Craigslist for $100. I drain the gas before winter each year and has worked like a champ for 4 years. Parts are commonly available for any decent gas model.

[goslin23]

I've thought about this quite a bit lately. I absolutely hated my electric weed wacker, dragging the cord around was a major PITA so I went out and got me a gas powered one with and edger attachment, love it!

I've decided to go with a gas powered pressure washer for the same reasons, I don't want to be messing with power cords! I'll just drain 'er before winter (although I live in the Houston area and I may still use it then).

-=gos=-

[ironhat]

I recently rented the most powerful electric PW that I've ever used. It didn't have a brand name posted on it and I forgot to ask but this little unit was crazy powerful. It did not have a caddy like the Karch that I have used and it was a heavy bugger. There was a port for the garden hose, a long flexible line for the wand and a separate circuit with a quick connection for the feeder hose to a detergent or bleach bottle. For 25$ a day I felt like I got my money's worth.

[TheRic]

.... Only problem I have with mine is I have to stoop a little to use it and this gets uncomfortable. I've been trying to figure out a retrofit handle that will enable me to stand up straight yet have the nozzle close to the surface.

Not sure about Lowe's and HD (would be willing to bet they do), but I do know Menard's has wand extensions, hose extensions, and various kinds of other attachments that you can get.

I have a gas powered one (got it from Sam's Club, clearance area), my parents have a gas powered one (from Car-Quest). I have used both, the gas powered one blows away the electric powered one. I can do more, in less time. I can also get attachments for mine (see above), my parents don't have that option (different style, threads, connectors, etc).

Being able to use different attachments might be something you want to look into BEFORE you buy one. You might not have any need for any of those funky attachments today, but you might be signing a different tune a year from now.