For a thorough cleaning, a pressure washer is often used. A useful tool for cleaning intrinsic grease or dirt on different surfaces or spaces, managing to eliminate all traces without too much effort. But how do we choose the right pressure washer for us? First of all it is very important to focus on the type of use and frequency that we want to make of it. On the market we find different types of high pressure washers. A first distinction is made between hot water high pressure washers, which experts recommend for more professional areas, as hot water removes dirt more easily and cold water high pressure washers recommended, instead, in the home. Another element to take into consideration is the distinction between the petrol or diesel engine, or the engine generated thanks to electricity.
Among the technical factors to be taken into consideration are: the flow of water, and the pressure, that is, the hydro jet power washer with which the water comes out of the nozzle placed at the top of the lance. To give an example, a pressure between 100 and 150 bar is usually sufficient for domestic use.
Even the accessories in the pressure washers play their part so you will have to evaluate the optional necessary to purchase or if it is already included.
Insights and Advice
1Best quality / price products
2 Comparison of technical characteristics
3How to choose pressure washer?
4 Classification of High Pressure Washer models 2020
5What to evaluate before buying
6Best Pressure Washer Deals
7 Pressure Washer Reviews
8 Questions and Answers
9The expert's advice
6 decisive factors for choosing the best pressure washer
Types
In the past there were not many models available, especially in the consumer market for domestic use. Today, however, there are numerous offers of pressure washers to choose from for domestic cleaning or for professional use. To understand which is the best pressure washer and which one to focus on, it is therefore necessary to first define the intended use of it and the frequency with which it will be used.
The first distinction to be made is between hot water high pressure cleaners and cold water high pressure washers.
Hot water pressure washers are usually indicated for professional contexts; in fact, heat has a more effective action than cold water, for example it acts better on grease and oil stains, and above all dries quickly. Professional pressure washers are suitable for removing stubborn dirt, which melts more easily at high temperatures. The contexts in which they are used are, for example, food, agricultural engineering, industrial and construction, representing an excellent solution for cleaning machinery, tools, engines, means of transport and much more. They are excellent for degreasing and especially if you are dealing with water-soluble grease, which is why they are usually used for cleaning industrial floors.
Cold water pressure washers in general are used in the home. Cold water high-pressure washers with good flow and good pressure are more than enough for all normal uses, such as cleaning the exterior surfaces of the house, the car, the motorcycle, or various equipment. At home, they can be used to limit fatigue and reduce annoyances in cleaning gardens, patios, swimming pools and terraces, but also for cleaning roofs, gutters and walls; it can be used to clean vehicles, such as cars, campers, motorcycles, but also garden tools or various machinery. The pressure washer is also useful for sanitizing internal walls and floors, but taking into account that it is a machine that consumes and disperses water in the environment.
1st tip: understand what the pressure washer will be used for, whether for a domestic context as a tool to facilitate routine cleaning, or if in a professional context where there may be surfaces with particularly difficult residues to remove.
Engine
Pressure washers are generally powered by electricity, with a common power cable to be connected to the electrical outlet. Then there are pressure washers with petrol or diesel petrol engines. They are used for example when there is no electricity connection available or if the power supplied is not sufficient for the machine to be used. Examples of use for a petrol-driven pressure washer are sandblasting operations on the external walls of a dated building. The amateur and professional models also differ in the type of electric motor.
Household pressure washers use brush motors that can wear out over time or with temperature differences; the professional ones are usually equipped with inductive asynchronous motors with thermal protection. To mention a technical aspect, in professional pressure washers the rotation speed is roughly halved compared to that adopted in machines for home use (i.e. 1450 rpm, against 2800/3200): this factor inevitably leads to greater reliability of professional machines. . Furthermore, the pump unit of professional pressure washers is always easily removable and repairable, unlike domestic ones where the breakdown of the pump unit compromises the use of the entire machine.
In particular, the motor influences the pressure and flow values which in the professional models greatly exceed those of the domestic models. The power of the motors is expressed in kW. To provide data, for an infrequent use a 1.3 kW motor may be enough, while for a more continuous use it is better to focus on models from 3 kW upwards, which guarantees better performance. The type of motor of a pressure washer also affects consumption. If you use the pressure washer with a certain frequency, the current consumption must be considered, which is closely related to the power of the motor: more power leads to higher costs on the energy bill.
2nd tip: if you use the cleaner for domestic purposes, you can focus on a pressure washer powered by an electric cable and a motor between 1 and 2 kW; in the case of external industrial uses, you can evaluate a pressure washer with an internal combustion engine
Features
As with any tool or machinery that is used to clean external or internal environments of the house or professional situations, practicality must be considered. The ergonomics of pressure washers is therefore an important factor because you need to be able to move. The instrument must therefore be comfortable, manageable, easy to use and above all to be maintained. There are very compact, light and easy to handle pressure washers available today.
Weight: as regards the weight, there are small machines that are easily transported. The weight can vary from 4 kg up to bulky models that can reach 25 kg and in some cases exceed them. The size of the machine affects not only its use, but also where the pressure washer will be stored after use. In fact, some models are developed vertically and others horizontally.
Practicality: practicality also includes accessories: some pressure washers are equipped with handles, wheels and other options that make them transportable and easy to handle even if heavy. Some compact pressure washers can be carried on the shoulder like a backpack. For example, in the case of a garden that is spread over several levels and equipped with numerous flights of stairs, it will be good to avoid bulky and wheeled models and opt for something “wearable”.
Ease: the concept of ease of use should not be reduced only to switching on the machine, which is usually always intuitive, but to the possibility of selecting the most suitable setting, in the presence of an integrated hose reel or other accessories, and if these options are interchangeable in a simple way or not.
3rd tip: depending on the environment to be cleaned, take into account the dimensions of the pressure washer and the place where it will be placed when not in use; always evaluates the weight based on the use that will be made of it and the dexterity of who will be the operator.
factors
The flow rate of water is one of the most important characteristics to take into consideration when preparing to purchase a pressure washer. By flow rate we mean the amount of water that the pressure washer pump is able to move at high pressure in an hour by "shooting" it from the nozzle of the lance.
The flow rate is expressed in liters per hour (l / h), the relationship between quantity and time. Economic pressure washers can, for example, have great power, but low flow, in short, produce a very strong jet, but consume water very quickly. Therefore, it must be considered whether the use will be sporadic or more frequent, whether on large surfaces that will require a lot of water or in small contexts.
The pressure, on the other hand, is the force with which the water comes out of the nozzle placed on top of the lance and is measured in bars. For home and sporadic use the pressures can remain between 100 and 150 bar; for more aggressive performance, pressure can be reached up to 500 bar. As with any machine, the materials and their quality should not be overlooked. The best pressure washers are built with solid and resistant materials, optimal plastics and metal alloys. At the same time, better aesthetic options, design and color combinations can be achieved thanks to the materials.
Particular attention should be paid to the pump unit, a very important component in the pressure washer: if used often it is good that the unit is corrosion resistant, with stainless steel pistons and an aluminum or brass head that guarantee long life to the machine.
4th tip: evaluate the flow rate in liters depending on the surfaces where the pressure washer will be used; for domestic use a pressure between 100 and 150 bar will be sufficient; evaluate the components of the pump group.
Accessories
The intended use of it will also be considered for the options to be equipped with the pressure washer and each model has accessories already included, while other brands offer them as add-ons.
The quality and type of accessories can make the difference in the choice of the brand of pressure washer, so it will be evaluated if a necessary optional is to be purchased separately or if it is included. The basic models are generally equipped with a pistol grip and a standard lance, the more complex ones almost always include four or five accessories, including a detergent. The same model can be in different versions; on the market there are pressure washers already equipped with a kit to clean the house or to clean the car.
In any case, many models allow you to add accessories and thus perform a real upgrade of the pressure washer. What can be combined with a pressure washer? The sets of lances have changed: there are lances for telescopic, angular and multi-jet pressure washers. There are surface cleaning tools and brushes, sets for cleaning gutters and pipes in particular, filters, spare tubes and adapters, as well as detergents and standard products. The most common models for the home allow you to clean terraces, courtyard paths or stone stairs without problems.
Care must be taken on more delicate or coated surfaces. For example, tiles, ceramics, stoneware, mosaic coverings, or terracotta tiles may require special accessories or specific settings. If the pressure washer is equipped with pressure selection, the appropriate pressure can be set for each surface.
5th tip: depending on the intended use, evaluate a model that is already equipped with the necessary tools or cleaning kits that you will need, also based on future use.
Ratings
The pressure washer is a very useful machine for cleaning and maintaining internal and external areas, both for home use and for professional use. Through the jet of water that is emitted, it is possible to clean different surfaces and fight different types of dirt. A cold water pressure washer is sufficient for domestic use (cleaning paths, terraces, poolside, etc.) while a hot water pressure washer is preferable in industrial contexts.
When evaluating the characteristics, pay attention not only to the type of engine, but also to the capacity of the tank to ensure an appropriate water level for the intended use. Depending on the operator's dexterity and the work environment, evaluate the weight of the machinery and accessories supplied as standard or to be added at a later time.
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