Electric Vs Petrol Pressure Washer

browser on 10/08/2020 - 02:19
Last edited 10/08/2020 - 10:13 by 2 other users

My Karcher K3 developed a leak in the cylinder head, while attempting to repair the leak the pump stopped working altogether. It's about 4 to 5 years old, so probably unwise to spend more to fix it.

This time I want to get something slightly better, or maybe even a petrol one, I have sort of narrow down to these 2:

Both of them uses the standard quick connector to attach nozzles, not compatible with my existing accessories.They look well build and with decent reviews.

A third option is just to get another K3 ($249 at Costco), it's the older model that doesn't come with a newer full control trigger but it does come with a 5-year warranty which is nice. I want to get a different machine, but at half the price, compatible with existing accessories, and I have spare hose and trigger from the old machine, this option is hard to resist.

Any opinions?

Home & Garden Pressure Cleaner

Comments

Mechz on 10/08/2020 - 02:23

+5

Petrol if you like to be the noisy neighbour.
- browser on 10/08/2020 - 10:45
  
  +1
  
  It's not louder than a lawn mower I assume?
  - life is suffering on 10/08/2020 - 10:47
    
    RAPRTTTAAAAAAA TA TAT AT AT AT AT A TA T A A AT AT A TA TA TA. AT AT A TA. VROOMM
pegaxs on 10/08/2020 - 08:14

+2

Petrol if you plan on using it where there are no power outlets and on a regular basis. Electric if it’s going to be at home or within power outlets and for infrequent use.
Orico on 10/08/2020 - 08:59 Comment score below threshold.
Ryanek on 10/08/2020 - 09:19

-1

Petrol is for portability. Don't forget, you need to maintain it.
- Logical on 11/08/2020 - 22:49
  
  +1
  
  My 8HP petrol washer is way stronger than any electric one that I have seen or used.
k-rokfm on 10/08/2020 - 09:58

What are you using it for?
- browser on 10/08/2020 - 10:47
  
  Mostly for car wash and cleaning patio, driveway, etc.
[Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:00

-3

Think about the environment. It’s stuffed enough without another two stroke fouling it up.
- brendanm on 10/08/2020 - 10:18
  
  +1
  
  That's a 4 stroke, friend.
  - [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:26
    
    -1
    
    Better, but still better to use electric.
- [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:21
  
  +2
  
  Your electricity still comes from somewhere.
  - [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:26
    
    +1
    
    It's a lot more efficient to get it from even the worst coal power station. Less pollution overall.
    - [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:31
      
      Maybe. I've never looked into it with sufficient depth. Personally I use electric but selection criteria was maintenance.
      - [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:50
        
        @[Deactivated]: Definitely. And you’re right, electric is also way lower maintenance. I’m not sure about the progress of pressure sprayers, but I assume that good 36/50V+ Battery units can match petrol units for performance, unless you are doing a huge area?
        
        I’ve got an electric corded unit. It seems to work fine.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:53
        
        +3
        
        @[Deactivated]: Yes. I meant corded.
        
        I don't see a point in cordless when I can't get cordless water.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:53
        
        @[Deactivated]: That's a pretty good point.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 11:08
        
        @[Deactivated]: I just did some basic google maths on powerstations/petrol motors.
        
        So your average car petrol motor (I know this isn't about cars, but it's all I could find in 2 minutes) is ~20% thermal efficiency
        
        Your average coal power station is ~37% thermal efficiency… but you have to take into account transmission losses from the power station, so you're looking at upto 15% of that power lost by the time it hits your home.
        
        So ballpark efficiency of a coal/electric power device vs a petrol power device is about a 10% delta in favour of the coal powered device.
        
        This is quick basic maths, it doesn't take into account the fact that a small petrol motor on a sprayer is probably less efficient than a modern car by a lot and those figures likely don't account for shitty green coal like Victoria has.
        
        It's closer than a thought, but I don't think any set of numbers will show a local petrol powered device is more efficient than a remotely powered electrical one.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 13:15
        
        @[Deactivated]: Perhaps if you accounted for petrol washers (assuming this is true) lasting longer than an electric washer which would mean less wastage/inefficiency from production and shipping the washer itself.
        
        Ie. The argument of being more eco friendly by dumping a perfectly fine ICE vehicle for an EV.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 13:18
        
        @[Deactivated]: I have no idea why you think a petrol washer would last longer than an electric one. The electric one should be much more reliable. It has far less moving parts.
        
        The argument isn't the same for EVs. The only thing that degrades on an EV is the battery, and if you get a good one, it'll last 500,000km. That's more than most ICE cars before they are scrapped.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 17:22
        
        @[Deactivated]: Hypothetical.
        
        I don't know or think either way.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 18:45
        
        @[Deactivated]: That’s not hypothetical, that’s real world mileage.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 18:53
        
        @[Deactivated]:
        
        petrol washers (assuming this is true) lasting longer than an electric washer
        
        Hypothetical.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 19:31
        
        @[Deactivated]: I'm not sure where you are hypothesizing this from? Electric motors last longer than ICE motors. They suffer from less wear and tear and have less moving parts. They don't tend to wear down. Petrol motors loose compression, burn out, snap belts, pistons, cams, head gaskets go.
        
        Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are trying to say?
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 20:22
        
        @[Deactivated]: Oh, I'm just saying, suspend the notion that electric is better and for a moment, assume the petrol lasts longer. That's all.
        
        My Gerni, as much as it has been fautless, doesn't feel as robust as the only petrol washer I have used so my assumption is purely based on that.
        
        So, hypothetically, if a petrol washer lasts longer, I would hypothesise that it would offset the lower energy efficiency of a petrol washer.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 20:42
        
        @[Deactivated]: Yeah, but no. You can't ignore the facts because it suits your narrative. ICE does not last longer than an electric motor. It's a fact.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 20:48
        
        @[Deactivated]: Too far off tangent I believe. We now have two topics with subtopics. EV is better than ICE no doubt but is it environmentally sound to replace a working ICE with an EV to reduce petrol related pollutants at the expense of the cost of an EV. Based on that, if a petrol washer lasts longer, would it be all that damaging to choose a petrol washer?
        
        Of course this is on the hypothetical that a pertrol washer will outlast its electric counterpart which I do admit is purely a hypothetical, one based on superficial appearance of a steel clad petrol washer vs my plasticky Gerni (a $500 one mind you).
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 20:51
        
        @[Deactivated]: I'm not talking about EVs, you brought that up.It has nothing to do with this.I think you're arguing because you're bored.
        
        [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 21:34
        
        @[Deactivated]: I'm not arguing. It's more a conversation. Apologies if it came off as a challenge.
- browser on 11/08/2020 - 12:39
  
  Pressure washer generally uses much less water to clean. That is the environmental benefit.
  
  Lets not split hair arguing eco friendliness of types of pressure washers.
  
  Eco friendly itself is a product being used for marketing.
[Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:20

+1

Electric if you want to wash the car.

Petrol if you want to remove render from the walls.

(Sorta kidding but petrol is overkill for domestic car wash use.)
Wilkshire13 on 10/08/2020 - 10:22

Don't bother with the petrol one unless you need the higher PSI and L/Min.Ryobi Electric pressure washer have a tendancy to die randomly.

Buy a Karcher K4 or equivalent Gerni/Stihl Unit that has a 7 year warranty (5y+2y for online registration)
- browser on 10/08/2020 - 10:52
  
  +1
  
  This one looks like a good deal but too late: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/542874
  - Wilkshire13 on 10/08/2020 - 10:55
    
    Always the way hey? $489 @ Bunnings
iforgotmysocks on 10/08/2020 - 10:30

I'd go the K3 option.
- browser on 10/08/2020 - 11:39
  
  Would go this route if Costco puts it on special to sweeten the deal. :D
martyn on 10/08/2020 - 10:44

I have a petrol and it's amazingly powerful but damn noisy - would not buy again
- Logical on 11/08/2020 - 22:56
  
  Yes it is noisy, but it is much faster to clean with it and that's why I love it. I see my neighbours just stand there slowly moving the spray wand over their driveway….. I can go around 4x faster with mine.
life is suffering on 10/08/2020 - 10:47

electric because why should petrol have all the fun ?
browser on 10/08/2020 - 10:49

So sounds like petrol is mainly for trade use.
- Wilkshire13 on 10/08/2020 - 10:55
  
  Trade, remote or high use case scenarios
- [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 10:55
  
  Yes. Or washing the 4x4 after a rainy trip to the high country tracks.
  - Mechz on 10/08/2020 - 11:04
    
    +1
    
    This is when you spend 10 bucks to leave a mess at a self serve car wash.
    - [Deactivated] on 10/08/2020 - 11:08
      
      You speak the true true
c64 on 10/08/2020 - 11:17

supercheap have this https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/stanley-stanley-petrol-p…

i don't know how it compares to the ones you mention
- browser on 10/08/2020 - 11:34
  
  Thanks that's a good deal.
  - donkcat on 10/08/2020 - 22:26
    
    I’d do a bit of research on the Stanley one, I know the previous model had issues with vibrating to the point of damage, not sure if they fixed it. They ended up clearing the old models out for $150
    - browser on 11/08/2020 - 12:30
      
      Cheers, will probably end up with a K3 or wait for a K4 deal.
Slippage on 11/08/2020 - 09:17

I have an electric at the moment and I want to swap it for a petrol, only because of the high pitch sound that comes from it. It is friggin annoying.
- browser on 11/08/2020 - 12:29
  
  But petrol engine is probably louder overall, from the above comments.
  - Slippage on 11/08/2020 - 14:16
    
    +1
    
    I'm ok with that.
    
    We had a pro come out and pressure wash our roof a few weeks back, with a trailer mounted petrol washer. It was louder, but far less annoying then my little electric.

Electric Vs Petrol Pressure Washer

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