What Size Pressure Washer?

[Davey4000]

Is a 3000 psi, 2.8 gpm pressure washer a good size for general household and shop (hobby) use?

 

[george4]

I use a 2700 psi around the house, works fine. That pressure will wreck stuff if you get too close.

 

[-lecroix-]

I have a 2,450 psi 2.4 gpm 5.5 hp Honda power washer ... it has done a marvelous job on anything I have asked of it (concrete, vinyl siding, greasy-grimy engines, etc).

No complaints what so ever ... other than the high price, but it's a Honda.

 

[malibu101]

Let me add my $.02.
I have a 2600PSI - 2.5GPM unit. Cranked down to jet stream and I will etch concrete. I'm well pleased with it.

 

[bmwpower]

Where's the best place to buy one? Home Depot? Lowes? Others?

 

[Davey4000]

The 3,000 psi, 2.8 gpm PW I referenced is at Tractor Supply. I believe it has a B&S engine and the price is $399.

 

[george4]

Where's the best place to buy one? Home Depot? Lowes? Others?

I find Home Depot to be good for these type of things. Close by, fair selection and easy return if there is a problem.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Sears usually has one or two models on sale. They are also easy to deal with if there is a problem.
One word of advise: get one with interchangable nozzles, not the turn-to-adjust spray pattern head.

 

[ron in sc]

Check link below.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6527&highlight=pressure

 

[snorvet]

3000 psi , 2.7 gpm Troy-Bilt from Lowes $389. Cleaned garage doors, driveway, gutters, overhang, deck furniture, jeep - just dont get too close to stuff. My deck furniture is really clean now - just not as smooth as it used to be.

 

[malibu101]

One word of advise: get one with interchangable nozzles, not the turn-to-adjust spray pattern head.

May I ask why you say that??? I have a Craftsman with the yellow turn to adjust patern end on it. I find it works great to go from fan to pinpoint and back in a second.
I have used it alot and have loaned it out to some trusted people. The entire machine has worked flawless over the last 4 years, including the spray head.
Maybe I've just been lucky.

 

[-lecroix-]

same here ... twist to adjust and never a minutes problem ... going on 4 years now.

 

[l_bilyk]

Is a 3000 psi, 2.8 gpm pressure washer a good size for general household and shop (hobby) use?

Yes it's fine. I think around 2500 psi, 2.5 gpm is probably a good stuff to use around the house. Anything above that is obviously better. What brand were you looking at getting?

 

[drbill]

I've got a B&S 4.5 hp 2200 psi 2.2 gpm with the interchangeable nozzles and it works just fine for around the house stuff. Clean the house with it, blew the old paint off the foundation and porch railing. My bro used it this weekend to clean his cedar deck, no cleaner needed and came out nice.
Oh and I can write my name in concrete if I want to.

 

[Davey4000]

Yes it's fine. I think around 2500 psi, 2.5 gpm is probably a good stuff to use around the house. Anything above that is obviously better. What brand were you looking at getting?

Troy Bilt at Tractor Supply.

Details:

3000 PSI
2.8 GPM
7.00 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek™ Overhead Valve Engine
Longer Engine Life and Increased Performance
Heavy-duty Axial Cam with Easy Start™ Pump Technology
4 Pro-Style Quick Connect Spray Tips
(Low Pressure, 0, 15, and 40 degrees)
Pressure Command™
25 ft. High-Pressure Hose
Stainless Steel Wand with Tip Holder

 

[Uncle Buck]

Some guys like me cannot afford the gas powered rigs. When I went to buy a pressure washer everyone told me not to waste my time with an electric, well I really had no choice, that was all I had money to buy. I bought a Karcher 1750 psi unit with several spray wands, one of which was a pinpoint. I found that the unit performed far better than I expected since I had been given the dismal reviews of every salesperson at every place I looked. I have been quite pleased with the unit and have used it quite extensively for about three years now with no regrets whatsoever. I wanted to include this post for someone like myself that could not swing one of the gas jobs. I still wish I had a gas model, but in no way could I ever justify one as long as this little electric job works as well as it does!

 

[Piper]

The only thing I can add to this comes from my experience using the low GPM units and the high GPM units. The pressure is important yes but volume is equally important. I cleaned a cedar deck 2 weeks ago with a 2.8 GPM 2000 psi and it took half the time when compared to my electric 1.8 GPM unit. Sure the smaller unit worked fine, but the higher volume was less time consuming.

I guess you really just need to think about what you're mainly going to be using it for.

Piper