Looking for an electric power washer.

[jlh92]

Just need something small to clean up the patio, rinse dirt out of my wheel wells, etc.

I'd like to stay under $130 or so. Considering this one: AR-Blue-Clean-1500-PSI-1.58-GPM-Portable-Electric-Pressure-Washer3

Anyone care to recommend a better one?

 

[Jason280]

Ive had terrible luck with electric pressure washers, Karcher models specifically. I've had two of them stop pumping, my brother had one to die, and I have just about swarm them off completely. Of course, a buddy of mine has one he's been beating the hell out of for 15+ years, so who knows...

 

[theoldwizard1]

I bought something in that price range. It was a waste of money. Volume of water (GPM - gallons per minute) is more important than pressure. Even the cheap gasoline powered ones do more than 2.0 GPM @ 2,000 psi.

An electric one i that range will require 240V and be as expensive or more than a gasoline engined one.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Hire it done. Every painter worth a case of beer has one in his shop. Usually a BADD MOFO.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have the "Clean blue" electric power washer. Use it twice a year but would NOT recommend it to others. It constantly has a "vapor lock" or some issue where the water wont come out under pressure when the trigger is pulled and the motor makes a sound like the impeller is spinning in air. I then have to shut off the motor and re-prime the hose by pulling the trigger with only the water supply pressure.

It does a fairly good job when it works. Basically I am sticking with this pressure washer due to the units size. It fits in the corner and is not very heavy when moving it about.

 

[jlh92]

Sounds like I'll be renting a good gas one for a few hours.

 

[PelicanPines]

Sounds like I'll be renting a good gas one for a few hours.

Rental is a great alternative to hiring someone... Around here it would cost more to have someone do the job than the pressure washer you are looking at.

 

[doan]

Small electric power washers are OK if:

• you never run it without water (or ample water). Purge all air from hoses before turning it on
• never loan it to a friend
• keep the duty cycle down, long periods of continuous use will make them overheat.

I bought mine for the same reasons you described. If you read the reviews for small electric power washers, they all ****. I bought a "greenworks" from lowes for $99. for $10 more lowes will sell you a no questions asked 2 year warranty. The likelihood of it lasting 2 years is low. when it fails take it back, they give you a $99 gift card, then you get another one and buy the $10 warranty again. I'm on number 2.

 

[IndyGarage]

Personally I would skip the electric ones and buy a small gas one. There are a ton of used gas washers out there with 5hp Honda GC engines on them. You can do some real cleaning with that size and that engine is pretty bulletproof for up to about 1000 hours.

I've bought two of them in the past 6 months for less than $75 each just so I could have the engine off of them.

 

[isthunidal]

It does a fairly good job when it works. Basically I am sticking with this pressure washer due to the units size.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a Karcher and it's worked fine for me. I mainly use it for cleaning the porch floor, stuff like that; for big jobs and/or if you use it a lot, a gas powered one would make sense but for occasional use I think electrics work well. Just make sure to store it inside during cold weather, you don't want it to freeze.

 

[jlh92]

I may get this one: Karcher via CL

Even if it breaks after one use it'll likely be cheaper than renting one.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I may get this one: Karcher via CL

Even if it breaks after one use it'll likely be cheaper than renting one.

For $40, you can hardly lose. I'd go for it.

 

[Fugio]

I got a Karcher out of someone's garbage and it works OK.

I owned a pressure washing business for a couple of years, so I can tell you a couple of things here.

First, those consumer models ****. All of them.

One with a BIG electric motor is the way to go. Look for a pump made my a major brand. CAT is probably the best, but I found they required more maintenance. GP is probably my favorite. Star and Comet aren't horrible either.

Also, don't just look at pressure rating. Gallons per minute is more important than pressure, but both are important.