Electric or Gas powered Pressure Washer

[kywildcat]

What is everybody's preference about pressure washers? I want one for washing the cars, cleaning decks, vinyl siding, driveways and things like that. Just for around the house, nothing commercial.
I know you get what you pay for, but do I spend 300 bucks for a gas one, or 130 bucks for a electric??

 

[StaggeringGoat]

An electric is going to have way way less power than a gas model. I would go for something with at least a 5hp engine. I have a 5.5hp for around the house and I wish I had a bigger one...

 

[innkeeper]

Gas can go everywhere ...

 

[rlitman]

I've got both.
A gas one is what I prefer for all of the tasks you listed, EXCEPT cleaning cars. That's something that should never be done with a pressure washer.

Still, I like the electric for quickly cleaning outdoor furniture, and plastic things like parts on the playground. My wife can plug it in, and go, and the noise level is much lower.

I'd be happy to use the electric to clean say a fence gate, but to clean the whole fence, I'd be at it for days, when I could do the whole job in a few hours with the gas one.

My gas washer ran about $400 for a Honda engine with a semi-disposable 2750PSI pump.
I got my electric for $20 on Craigslist, and am quite fond of it actually, but if I paid more than $80 for that much plastic, I'd be pretty peeved.

 

[cashishift]

GPH is more important than PSI.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Whatever you buy, make sure to winterize it or store it inside out of freezing weather !!!

There are literally DOZENS of washers each spring that have cracked pumps. If you get one cheap enough and if you can buy a new pump cheap enough, it might be a good deal.

I bought a gas powered washer a couple of years ago for $50. It needed a good carb (and tank) cleaning, a hose and (cheap) gun. Luckily the pump was good, because I found out that parts were no longer available and it used an odd shaft size so that there were NO pumps available that would fit.

If shopping used gas, get one with a horizontal engine if possible. There seem to be more replacement pumps available.

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

Gas by all means. Every electric one I have owned (2) ended up in the trash in short order. They just don't work anywhere as good as a gas one. The electric ones are a lot cheaper in price, performance, and quality IMHO.

 

[Matt M PA]

Gas units do go everywhere...so I guess it depends on how you want to use it.

I use a smaller electric for washing cars. It's only about 1100psi. I also use a deionizing system so the pressure washer helps slow the water flow just enough for proper treatment. Common sense is all that's required to avoid trouble. I've been using a PW for this purpose for many years.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have an electric Karcher washer and I'm happy with it, but it depends on what your needs are. As mentioned above, make sure to store it inside during the winter...I had one previously that cracked when I left in the garage, I thought I had it fully drained but I was wrong.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Gas by all means. Every electric one I have owned (2) ended up in the trash in short order. They just don't work anywhere as good as a gas one. The electric ones are a lot cheaper in price, performance, and quality IMHO.

There ARE good electric ones out there. They cost as much as a gas one and you aren't going to find them in a big box store..

Somehow, 2 hoses and a long power cord don't sound like a good idea to me !

 

[akdiesel]

I have the $150 electric Karcher. It works fine for inside car washing. This is exactly what I wanted. I could have have spent $1000 for it and have about the same psi and more gpm, but I wanted to choose this first to see how it works and so far (three years) no problems.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've considered buying one to power wash the siding and sidewalks. I hate dragging cords around(just like a leaf blower)and the one I purchase will be gas.

 

[mmhouse]

+1 on gas. If you're doing any larger projects like cleaning decks, driveways or siding you'll be very disappointed with an electric because there's just not enough volume (gph) to get the job done. But you do need to be careful because the high gph and psi can damage certain materials. Choosing the right nozzle and knowing to keep some distance from materials that may be damaged is important. I bought a nice Karcher at Costco for a reasonable price.

FYI, the rotary nozzles (Karcher calls them "Dirtblaster") are fantastic for cleaning decks and other surfaces. The water spray is constantly rotating in a small circle which cleans better and faster than fixed spray nozzles.

 

[diggerrick]

We have an electric Karcher that has never been very reliable. It is easy to haul to the basement for winter storage, and the pump only runs when you pull the trigger, but we've still not had good luck with it. Pump froze up one year (replaced under warranty), and the gun leaked the next year.

Our "go to" washer is the gas powered one (I think it's a Coleman - I don't remember for sure). You do have to be careful not to let it idle very long without spraying. It gets stored in the shed out back all winter, but I disconnect the pressure hose & guns and store those in the basement. I cycle the engine with the pull starter several times - not sure if that actually purges the pump or not, but we've had it for 5 years now.

 

[some zilch]

i cycle a bit of RV anti freeze through mine each time after i done using it if it is cold out. no need for draining. mine is a gas generac

 

[theoldwizard1]

FYI

• My 5.5 hp gas PW ***** a full tank of gas pretty quick.
• Check engine oil EVERY TIME you fill the tank
• Check pump oil before you start any job. If it looks "chocolaty" that is water in the oil. Drain and replace the oil.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

3000 psi and 4 GPM! And...runs on 220V. Just unplug your welder and plug it in!

Mi-T-M makes a ton of electric pressure washers and they are excellent quality.

 

[SGKent]

gas and washing the car is fine. Just keep it on a fine mist, at a distance and never put it on a solid stream.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

Another vote for gas. More power, more mobility.

There's something wrong about electricity and water.