Petrol pressure washers vs electric pressure washers
Peter Sitkowski | 2nd May 2023 | 6 Minutes to read
People often talk about pressure washers as if they are just one thing, but there are actually large differences between the applications and benefits of electric and petrol pressure washers, and if you’re looking to purchase a pressure washer, knowing the difference is essential to making the right decision.
While it can be difficult to figure out which is best for you, we’ve broken down some of the most important features of each of these types of pressure washing units to give you an idea of when one is superior to the other.
Take a look at some of the major differences between petrol pressure washers and electric pressure washers:
Main Advantages of Petrol Pressure Washers
A petrol-powered pressure washer is generally the better option if you’re working in a commercial setting and performing larger, more intensive cleaning jobs. They have a number of advantages that make them superior in certain environments to electric washers.
More Powerful
One of the main reasons people opt for petrol pressure washers is the extra power they provide. With a maximum PSI of around 5,000, they far outperform their electric counterparts, which will generally peak at a little over 2,000 PSI.
If you’re looking to buy a pressure washer for jobs like paint stripping and graffiti removal or sandblasting, you’re going to want a petrol power washer for its extra PSI rating.
Portability
Unlike electric pressure washers that require a power outlet to function, petrol pressure washers can be moved around to any location and can be operated independently because they are a self-contained unit.
While they can be a bit harder to physically move because they are generally larger than electric units, most come with handles and wheels that make moving them between jobs fairly simple.
Can Suck Water
While some electric pressure washers come equipped with a water pump that allows them to draw water from water tanks or buckets, most require a pressurised water source like a tap to function correctly.
Comparatively, it’s far more common for petrol pressure cleaners to allow you to draw water from a water tank, which often makes them the better option for this purpose.
No Electricity or Cables
While there are specific safety concerns that apply to petrol pressure washers, not having the combination of copious amounts of water and electrical cables is a nice feature.
Often, electric washers will require an extension cable to be able to reach the job you’re doing, which can lead to exposure of the power cable to water, as well as the tripping hazards associated with cables; these are all things that a petrol pressure washer helps you avoid.
Can Be Used for Roof Cleaning
Certain smaller petrol units can be lifted and taken onto rooves to perform cleaning tasks, while electric units require much more setup to have the cabling reach the roof safely and efficiently.
This can be a great way to soft wash your roof if your pressure washer’s stream can’t comfortably clean the roof from ground level.
Main Advantages of an Electric Pressure Washer
Electric pressure washers are by far the more popular machine, as they offer a more compact, user-friendly, and cheaper experience. Here are some of the main reasons why an electric unit may be the better option for you.
Lightweight & Compact
Although petrol pressure washers are more portable in the sense that they don’t need to be plugged into a power socket to operate, they are generally far more cumbersome units. Electric pressure washers are built for home-use and are usually made of a mixture of plastic and metal components that make them much lighter than petrol variants, making them easy to carry and move during a job.
The smaller size of electric pressure washers also makes them much easier to store if you need to pack them away for long periods of time.
Cheaper Overall
Generally speaking, electric pressure washers range from $100-600, while petrol washers usually start at $600 and can be thousands for a commercial unit. If you’re mainly looking to tackle a few odd cleaning jobs around your home, then you’re likely just going to want a cheap and cheerful unit rather than making a commitment to a large piece of industrial equipment.
On top of this, because a petrol pressure washer needs fuel and engine oil to work properly, these are extra purchases you’ll have to make and extra cost to consider.
Doesn’t Require Maintenance or Fuel
Something you’ll need to be aware of if you purchase a petrol pressure washer is that it will require maintenance to function correctly. If you’re not engine-savvy and don’t want to deal with the extra upkeep that a petrol unit needs, an electric pressure washer is likely going to be the better option.
You’re also going to need oil and fuel to run, which means the engine can run out of juice mid-job and leave you scrambling to top it up so you can get cleaning again.
No Fumes or Exhaust
The lack of a petrol-powered engine means that you avoid the nasty fumes they produce, which is not only safer, but also means you’re producing less emissions.
A petrol unit’s exhaust is something to take into consideration as well, as the heat it produces can melt vinyl siding or even start fires if you’re not careful with where you place it —something an electric pressure washer owner doesn’t have to worry about.
Larger Range of Products Available
Because of their ease-of-use and lower cost, electric pressure washers are a much more popular product, which means that there is a lot more variety to choose from when making a purchase.
Brands like BigBoi and Karcher offer specific variants and bundles that focus on things like compact designs, outdoor cleaning, and car care, while petrol washers are usually just a standard unit.
Can Be Used Inside
A huge benefit of electric pressure washers is that they can be used indoors. Because they don’t produce any petrol fumes, electric units are perfectly safe to use indoors and can be used for cleaning jobs throughout the house.
Which Type of Pressure Washer is Better?
Ultimately, there’s no correct answer to this question. Petrol and electric washers each have their own pros and cons that make them better for different cleaning tasks and in different contexts.
The best way to think of it is this:
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to deal with maintenance, is only going to use their pressure washer a couple of times a month to wash the car or driveway, and you have easy access to electricity, then an electric pressure washer is probably for you.
However, if you’re working in an industrial or commercial setting, need high power for the cleaning jobs you’re undertaking, and need to be able take your pressure washer anywhere, a petrol-powered unit is likely what you’re after.
In either case, we’ve probably got a pressure washer for sale at Repco that can facilitate your needs, so hop into your local store or check out our full range online to begin your power washing journey.
