They pump out 2,000 to 2,800 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure vs. You'll find models from Black & Decker, Briggs & Stratton, Craftsman, Excell, Homelite Husky, Karcher, and Troy-Bilt at home centers and dealers.īest for: Quickly cleaning decks, siding, and other large areas as well as whisking away gum, sap, and tough stains. Electric models averaged 78 dBA when running and are silent with their triggers released, since doing so stops the motor. Faster is noisierĪll the gas pressure washers produced at least 85 decibels (dBA), the threshold at which we recommend hearing protection. On the downside, all of the gas models required more caution and control than the electrics to avoid splintering and etching wooden tables and other surfaces. Gas models were up to 10 times faster at stripping paint off vinyl siding, a test we used to simulate tough stains. Much higher pressure allowed the top-performing gas machines to clean a grimy concrete patio three times faster than the fastest electrics. Gas-powered models typically put out 2,000 to 2,800 psi of pressure compared with 1,300 to 1,700 psi for electric models. Water pressure is typically measured in pounds per square inch (psi). We're bringing in a new batch of pressure washers for testing to see if performance has changed. Especially with gas models, it's easy to damage what you're cleaning. But more pressure also means more chance of injury with any pressure washer. For as little as $90 for electric machines and $300 for gas, owning one is a tempting alternative to renting one for $50 to $90 per day.Ĭonsumer Reports' previous tests of pressure washers on an array of outdoor surfaces confirmed that gas-powered machines have a clear performance edge over electrics. That lets them blast away deck mildew, driveway stains, and other grunge a hose can't touch while cleaning chairs, siding, and other items more quickly and easily than you could with a scrub brush. Pressure washers use a gas engine or electric motor, pump, and concentrating nozzle to boost water pressure from your garden hose as much as 60 times. But gas machines have roughly twice the cleaning power, which is the main reason you'll see fewer plug-in models at the big-box stores, where most pressure washers are sold. Lower prices and less upkeep explain why 60 percent of buyers choose an electric pressure washer. The general rule is that with a doubling of distance is a halving of force.Professional cleaning at a do-it-yourself price has helped move pressure washers beyond the tool-rental shop and into your local home center.It should be noted that backing away from the surface with a certain degree nozzle further reduces the pressure on it. Held at the right distance you would use a 40-degree nozzle to clean windows and other fragile surfaces. The 40-degree is the most gentle spray.The 25-degree is an even larger sheet or fan of water than 15-degree nozzle thus causing even less pressure on the surface.Once the spray hits the surface the pressure is less because it’s force is spread over a larger area The 15-degree creates a 15-degree wide sheet of water spray at the nozzle. It does not sheet or fan out the water spray at all When the jet hits the surface it hits with the area of a quarter coin.
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