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Which pressure washer for most economical water consumption?

christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
edited June 2020 in Workshop
Hi everyone,

I’ve finally started cleaning my bikes more regularly, and am looking to buy a pressure washer to do this more quickly. However, none of the reviewing sites seem to mention how economical the pressure washers are when it comes to their water consumption.

I’ve look at portable ones with an onboard tank (Mobi V-17 etc), but not sure how economical these are compared with standard ones that connect to the mains water, which might also be able to offer a greater amount of pressure settings etc.

Has anyone looked into this and found one (or a few) to be better than others? Apologies for such a dull post 😂👌
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  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,179
    edited June 2020
    ⚠️Do not use pressure washers on a bike!⚠️ High pressure washers can force water and grime into bearings, headsets, bottom brackets and hubs causing pre mature wear! Garden hose on a sprinkle setting with soap and sponge is safest method.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,627
    Agree with Reaper, garden hose and low pressure only.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • fenixfenix Posts: 5,437
    A sponge and a bucket of water is quick enough..
    Pro mechanics do have jet washers but they have 8 or 9 bikes to clean each day and will be rebuilding them often.
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 12,014
    christiandransfield said:

    Hi everyone,

    I’ve finally started cleaning my bikes more regularly, and am looking to buy a pressure washer to do this more quickly. However, none of the reviewing sites seem to mention how economical the pressure washers are when it comes to their water consumption.

    I’ve look at portable ones with an onboard tank (Mobi V-17 etc), but not sure how economical these are compared with standard ones that connect to the mains water, which might also be able to offer a greater amount of pressure settings etc.

    Has anyone looked into this and found one (or a few) to be better than others? Apologies for such a dull post 😂👌

    Any pressure washer you are looking at should be able to quote air pressure and pump flow rate - so establishing water usage should be fairly straightforward.

    Having said that - for all the reasons stated above - a pressure washer is simply not necessary. For bicycle purposes, you should be able to get all the pressure you need from a garden hose with a decent spray gun attachment. A simple bucket and sponge will use the least amount of water - and be just as effective - if water consumption is a concern.

  • masjermasjer Posts: 2,261
    Pressure washers use less water than a garden hose- they increase water pressure not flow.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,627
    To be honest that's not disputed, what's also not disputed is that pressure washers can and do wreck bearings. Most of us have used these pressure washers and are trying to advise th OP that having found out the hard way.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,016
    I found out the hard way that even garden hose pressure is enough to rinse out bearings. Bucket and sponge only now.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • photonic69photonic69 Posts: 2,040
    masjer said:

    Pressure washers use less water than a garden hose- they increase water pressure not flow.

    Haha! Seriously? Tell my garden that after I’ve pressure washed my paving. Pressure is up and so is flow rate.

    I’d not point my pressure washer anywhere near my bike. Sandstone paving, brickwork and car suspension carefully but never the bike.

  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,179
    oxoman said:

    To be honest that's not disputed, what's also not disputed is that pressure washers can and do wreck bearings. Most of us have used these pressure washers and are trying to advise th OP that having found out the hard way.

    Add me to the list of finding out the hard way!😭
  • photonic69photonic69 Posts: 2,040
    masjer said:

    Pressure washers use less water than a garden hose- they increase water pressure not flow.

    Haha! Seriously? Tell my garden that after I’ve pressure washed my paving. Pressure is up and so is flow rate.

    I’d not point my pressure washer anywhere near my bike. Sandstone paving, brickwork and car suspension carefully but never the bike.

  • christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
    Ok. Thanks for the comments so far. I’m not talking about an especially high pressure though. I’m talking about ones specifically designed with a more careful pressure for bikes etc, like the Mobi V-17.

    Sure... if you use a pressure washer at a paint-stripping level of pressure, that’s going to be pretty silly, it surely a low-pressure one would be ok.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,016
    Knock yourself out and get one. Boost the economy by not only buying something you don’t need, but shouldn’t use. Become one of us enlightened at a later date.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • fenixfenix Posts: 5,437
    Hmmm. Bucket or £100 pressure washer.

    Seriously just get the bucket and stop looking for a shortcut. It takes hardly any time at all.

    Your washer got 2/5 on a bike radar review btw.
  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,179
    Yeah, it's only advice, get one, blast away!👍👍
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 12,014
    christiandransfield said:

    Ok. Thanks for the comments so far. I’m not talking about an especially high pressure though. I’m talking about ones specifically designed with a more careful pressure for bikes etc, like the Mobi V-17.

    Sure... if you use a pressure washer at a paint-stripping level of pressure, that’s going to be pretty silly, it surely a low-pressure one would be ok.

    If it's low pressure you're after, then either use a garden hose or a bucket. The point about something like the Mobi is its portability. As far as I'm aware, its only a 12v system, so you'll probably do a better job with the above-mentioned garden hose. If you don't need 'pressure', then you don't need a pressure washer.
  • thegreatdividethegreatdivide Posts: 5,748
    Always good to see the same old pish has been dragged out,

    If you intend to power wash directly into the bearings then yeah - not wise.

    If you intend to clean your bike responsibly there are no issues with using a power washer.

  • christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
    edited June 2020
    -
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 12,014
    christiandransfield said:

    thegreatdivide said:

    Always good to see the same old pish has been dragged out,

    If you intend to power wash directly into the bearings then yeah - not wise.

    If you intend to clean your bike responsibly there are no issues with using a power washer.

    I’m starting to agree with you mate. It was only a question, and the sarcastic answers have already been posted in their droves 😂🙈

    I’ve posted on a different group instead, where they might give me some useful advice, instead of being shirty with me for asking a genuine question 🤦‍♂️
    I can't see any 'shirty' answers here - feel free to call them out. But if you only wanted people to agree with you, then you should have said...

  • fenixfenix Posts: 5,437
    I'm not on a water meter but I reckon you can probably buy a lot of water for the price of the jetwasher ?

    How much is water from a meter ?
  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,179
    Low pressure and be careful, why didn't I think of that?
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 12,014
    reaperactual said:

    Low pressure and be careful, why didn't I think of that?

    It seems so obvious now it's been mentioned ;)
  • christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
    reaperactual said:

    Low pressure and be careful, why didn't I think of that?

    From your experience, would you recommend any in particular for the above use then?
  • reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,179
    Yeah, from experience
    I won't be using this icon ⚠️ anymore.
  • christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
    edited June 2020
    reaperactual said:

    Yeah, from experience
    I won't be using this icon ⚠️ anymore.

    Fair enough. I did take your post in earlier mate. However, I’m looking for more of a portable washer, rather than a garden hose.
  • step83step83 Posts: 4,170
    I use a garden sprayer on mine, tank holds 5L which should be plenty to clean a bike its hand powered so you pump the pressure you want. Never going to produce enough pressure to worry bearings.

    https://www.screwfix.com/p/sx-cs5-white-black-pressure-sprayer-5ltr/7490x

    Thats the type of thing I have
    Titanium Px Spitfire
    Easty commuter
    Tripster AT
  • christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
    step83 said:

    I use a garden sprayer on mine, tank holds 5L which should be plenty to clean a bike its hand powered so you pump the pressure you want. Never going to produce enough pressure to worry bearings.

    https://www.screwfix.com/p/sx-cs5-white-black-pressure-sprayer-5ltr/7490x

    Thats the type of thing I have

    Aah awesome. Think I’ll get one of those then. Cheers dude 😎🤘
  • masjermasjer Posts: 2,261
    edited June 2020
    photonic69 said:

    masjer said:

    Pressure washers use less water than a garden hose- they increase water pressure not flow.

    Haha! Seriously? Tell my garden that after I’ve pressure washed my paving. Pressure is up and so is flow rate.



    Pressure washers use less water. How would your pressure washer use more water than the hose supplies? It doesn't suck water from the mains -this would cause the hose to flatten cutting off supply.
    https://hunker.com/13414529/facts-about-water-consumption-with-power-washers
  • de_sistide_sisti Posts: 1,281
    edited June 2020
    photonic69 said:


    Haha! Seriously? Tell my garden that after I’ve pressure washed my paving. Pressure is up and so is flow rate.

    Pressure washer for paving? No mate. Rain, stiff brush and washing up liquid. Brings it up a treat (and a good workout too). o:)B)
  • photonic69photonic69 Posts: 2,040
    de_sisti said:

    photonic69 said:


    Haha! Seriously? Tell my garden that after I’ve pressure washed my paving. Pressure is up and so is flow rate.

    Pressure washer for paving? No mate. Rain, stiff brush and washing up liquid. Brings it up a treat (and a good workout too). o:)B)
    Not with mould, lichen and black spot you don't! Tried that. With bleach, Jayes Fluid, hydrogen peroxide. That's why I have a pressure washer. On 2nd one now after 13 years.
  • christiandransfieldchristiandransfield Posts: 127
    Thanks for all the input guys. I ended up picking up a Karcher OC3 pressure washer locally for £50. Runs off a chargeable battery and a reservoir on top of the main unit. Pressure isn’t too hard, and not too soft. Sorted 😎🤘
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