Talking Power Washers Wednesday - Father's Day is Coming
Mates,
It's getting closer to Father's Day and that sometimes means gifts for dads. We (read: I/me) need a power washer for a number of uses around the farm but I have never owned one - thought it'd be a great idea to 'ask' for one as a gift.
But, given my ignorance about such things I thought maybe some here would have some thoughts and ideas on best types, best uses, gas v. electric, etc. I did a quick interweb search and came up with this link on gas units - https://buyersguide.org/pressure-washers/t/gas?msclkid=a0b1dac033821198009dbeb792355809&m=b&d=c&c=72293199586773&oid=kwd-72293601613579:loc-4103&qs=best%20power%20washers%202023&lp=108691&li=&nw=o&nts=1&tdid=9821487
Questions today are:
1. Please opine/dish on power washers, costs, and all of that.
2. Any other good ideas you might have for Father's Day gifts.
XM
"If you want to give a man a weapon, give him a pressure washer." - Winston Churchill
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPGMUXW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just got this one yesterday since the old died. $40 off ~ 25% and the reviews are solid. Didn't need much more psi.
FYI, if you are tempted to power wash before the pollen falls from the trees, wait. We've power washed over Mem. Day before and then this week, the pollen falls every year at our place.
I have a SunJoe. It quit working after the 2nd time I used it. Turns out it was the GFCI plug that is built into the cord. $19 for the part. I’ve power-washed the deck, patio and a brick retaining wall in the last day. Good times. Just wish the plug didnt cost 25% of the original price. From what Ive read I’ll probably need another one before too long.
If you do not need a power washer with a capital P, I found a great one carried by Ace Hardware. What I hate about PW's is they can be tough to man handle, especially with the hose connected to them. I am one of those clumsy folks. I also lost the previous PW because I forgot to drain it and the water ruptured the block when winter came. Take a look at arblueclean.com The brand is called BlueClean. Its a maximum PSI of 1700. This is perfect for me because I just need something to powerwash the deck or clean up the outside of the house.
What I love is the very light weight. It has a smaller footprint than a vacuum cleaner. It is so small I have it tucked away in a corner of my boiler room.
I have a 15-year-old Karcher electric pressure washer I bought from Costco. It's really underpowered but still mostly works. It's good for stripping/cleaning cedar decks, outdoor furniture, etc, but takes a long time. I'm sure for use around a farm that you would need a gas powered one, but maybe newer electric models are better.
My Dad and I are golf nuts so it's always golf related gifts on Father's Day.
Gas is definitely the way to go. I planned to buy an electric one for the green stuff that grew in the shade on the siding of my old house. I had borrowed my FIL's the previous summer, and it had adequate power. When I went to buy one in the late fall there was an empty bay next to it that had a clearance sign for a $250 gas one down to $119. Asked the guy who said "Oh, yeah, the last one is on the top shelf. Do you want it?" Silly question.
I've done fences, I've done driveways, I've done sidewalks, I've done decks. You'll never have more fun with any other household chore. I don't know what costs are up to now, but 4 years ago or so, it was around $120 for the electric and $250 for the gas at full price.
Also, make sure to buy a can of the winterizer and don't forget to use it. It hooks up where the hose would go. You spray it and it fills the engine, blowing out all water, and then comes out the other side.
Yes, when it doubt more power. It's fun to blast something off the third story of a house. When you accidentally blow a hole in something and/or peel off the paint, it's manly good times as well.
Spray your siding with a half water, half pool shock mixture in a regular sprayer. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Then use the power washer. I did this 4 years ago. I did it again this year, and only really had to spray a quarter of the siding. The pool shock kills the spores of the fungi. Edited to add that I didn't even use a power washer 4 years ago. Just a nozzle with a direct spray setting. I did use one this year because we borrowed one for cleaning our deck.
Winterizing is important. I was taught that after using a gas pressure washer, turn it off, disconnect everything and then pull the cord a couple times. This forces most of the water out of the pump. Since I do it every time after I use it, when winter comes, if I forget to add pump saver or forget to clean the machine out with my air hose, my pressure washers survive.
I have an Greenworks 2100 PSI electric one that does just fine. Happy with it as it is 6 years old and still works flawlessly. I’m not doing anything more than cleaning the deck of the mower, getting dirt/pollen off the siding/windows every fall, etc.
I would recommend that for the price, a gas powered one with a bit more PSI than you think you need. That’s where I’m going when this one eventually dies. I mean, why not be able to cut through concrete when your done washing the tractor down?
I agree with this, an electric 2100PSI is just fine if you live in town and use it for light/medium applications. I tried to pressure wash vinyl siding on a tall two story house and had to contract it out. But for most applications it easy and works great.
If you're rural, especially on a farm, I would pay the extra & go with a more powerful gas power washer.
I have no input on power washers, but my Father's Day gift this year will be a new mini-me which I'm quite excited about (baby boy no. 2 expected later this month!).
Aside from the little guy and a couple weeks paternity leave, my Father's Day gift to myself will be a new grill. I bought a used Weber propane several years ago and more recently did a charcoal grill (no longer have either grill), and now I'm looking for something with more functionality and performance for a good price, under $800. I think I'm going to go with a Traeger-style offset firebox smoker/grill (wood pellets), will likely go with the Victory brand though based on reviews at BBQ Guys. I'd be open to any other recommendations, or feedback from those that have gone with similar grill types before.
huzzah! baby is best father's day gift of all time. congrats to you and mrs masotta
Ehr........two kids.....two presents. Amirite?
You get the grill and.........
Power washers? Awesome tool for several jobs. Only when I'm operating them, though. Otherwise, they're a menace to society.
A couple of Saturdays ago my neighbors (nice people) hired a lummox to power wash their plastic fence. He spent approximately three minutes on every square centimeter. (They have a big fence, too.)
From much experience with Pressure Washers :) Go Gas. Honda motor. AT LEAST 3000psi. Get one you can pick up and load easily. The bigger ones are very heavy. You won't always have someone to help you load it and you'll be a dumb ass like me and do it anyway and strain your back.
My favorite that I have is a Simpson 3200psi 2.5 gallons per minute with a Honda 190GC engine.
Second is a Simpson 3000psi 2.4 gallons per minute with a Honda 190GCV (The V means the shaft is vertical.)
The best attachment I have is a 15" surface cleaner. It attaches to the pressure washer and you can clean sidewalks and driveways in half the time. You need at least 3000psi to make it work
Good Luck!
I was going to log in just to suggest a Honda engine but you've already done it.
My Honda powered PW didn't start this spring. The only thing on the engine not made by Honda is the spark plug so I immediately identified it as the culprit. After a meeting with the wire wheel the plug agreed to spark again and I was back to cleaning whatever the hell I wanted.😄
1. I have been warned that power washing a deck that’s older can lead to wood damage so you have to be careful on the pressure considering I’m about to do just that. I can’t justify getting one. I’m just borrowing one because I won’t use it enough but then again, I don’t have a farm.
2. you’ve got 5+ kids, the Mrs. and a farm in Northern Michigan. You’ve got it all. What more could you need except a power washer? I know, ask for another UM football national championship. That should be easy.
I’m a gas guy, power washer need to be unfettered to electrical outlets, and neither of the two electric ones I’ve owned in the past had enough power ~1,700 psi, IIRC). Anything over 3,000 psi should do. I’ve been rocking the Subaru model from Costco for the last 5 years, it’s bulletproof and was only $199 w/3100 psi. Last saw one there a while ago, might not carry them anymore.
Here’s one at Walmart for $259:
I have black walnuts around my deck (Azek, not wood) and the only way to clean off the black goo walnuts use to poison plant life below them is with a 3,000+ psi power washer running the 15 degree nozzle.
I recommend this model. It's a tad pricey, but if you have any aspirations to be a skyscraper cleaner, stone cutter, or professional stadium washer, you can't compromise.
sure, that could be me. i fumble. i bumble. but it's not me, at least not in that pic. two verifiable clues: other houses in the background. a mini-van.
Me trying to imagine a world in which XM does not own a power washer:
In all seriousness, I'd say about 95% of the things I thought I needed a power washer for, were actually accomplished with one of those specialized nozzles that simply focus the water pressure from your hose into a fine point. Lowe's sells them for like $20. BUT, I have not owned a farm (yet). So I may not be of any help here.
I know you're a man's man, but all the same I would stick to 2500psi or less. You really don't NEED the ability to take one of your kids limbs, an empty threat is usually sufficient.
Thanks BRAD.
I have a painted house so I'm not going to blast it to smithereens. I was really hoping to go with something like Greenworks that will take my EGO batteries.
The less engines I need to maintain the better
Bad things happen when power washers meet skin so be careful.
Anyway,
I showed that to my wife and she asked what she was doing wrong.
Sigh.
Makes me wonder what she was trying to clean up from the back seat....
A crime scene 🤔
Don't listen to anyone else. You need something that will tear the tits off an ole granny from 100 yards away. Something that will shatter a Rottweiler's turdcutter through a wood fence. You're buying a fucking power washer. If you're just gonna by some over priced squirt gun you might as well invite over your grandpa and his enlarged prostate and let his piss pump dribble all over your concrete patio.
joe, maybe you should see someone about your issue(s). maybe rgard could help? you need help.
Help? They only let me out of my straight jacket for an hour a day. You know what means . . . I only get my gay jacket for an hour. No glam for me fam. Just me and some moist ham.
This was your most entertaining - and laugh inducing - post in months! LMAO!!!
I bought the Husqvarna model they sell at Costco. No problems, I really like it. Today's price is about $380.00. 5hp gas motor, 4 or 5 different spray nozzles, easy to maneuver.
i have a couple of husqvarna chainsaws that have been nails. that would engender some brand loyalty.
Husqvarna rocks out! My trimmer and leaf blower start on pull 4 - every time. Even after sitting idle in the garage all winter, first start in spring - 4 pulls.
BTW, Poulan chainsaws have Husqvarna engines without the Husqvarna nameplates.
It's already been said, but Husqvarna 3200 PSI / 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
Costco.
I have a talking power washer. It sounds like Zsa Zsa Gabor. "Dahhhling, the garage doors are so feel-thy!" The voice was cute at first, but now it's just irritating.
She sounds cute. Can she power wash me sometime? I'm a feel-thy boy. A real potty mouth too. Clean me Clarence. CLEAN ME.
could they power wash the koala social diseases off of you?
Think I've settled on the Westinghouse 3400 pressure washer based on reviews. Have been a good father this year so also planning to add a surface cleaner and foam cannon (for the cars). We've been paying $1000 to have the brick pavers cleaned every other year so this will easily pay for itself. Just waiting for the all the crap to stop falling from the trees before pulling the trigger.
Sounds good! Just be careful & make sure that the foam cannon you get can handle the 3400psi. Many of them are made for lower PSI and they, like James Franklin, just can't handle the pressure.
I recommend anything with the Honda engine. I have a DeWalt with a Honda and have had zero problems. Even with my idiot future son in law borrowing it from time to time and he breaks everything
Skip all the talk about electric and go right to the gas ones. It's nice to have the power when you need it and who wants to work around the stupid extension cord and outlets. I have the Generac that is number 5 on your list (prices have really went up because I paid about $400 for it a couple years ago). Plenty of power, electric start and you can dial back the pressure on the wand. We use it a lot and it works great.
I bought a basic Troy Bilt from Lowe's many years ago. Most important part of maintaining a power washer is using quality fuel, like non- ethanol gas and the pump flush for winterizing the unit. Any residual water will freeze and ruin the pressuring part's. Also change the oil regularly.
Happy Father's Day!!!!