Most are familiar with a few brands, such as DeWalt and Craftsman. However, with so many brand-name tools on the market, it is challenging to keep up with pressure washers being made here in the U.S. After researching, I was able to put together a useful list with pictures of electric and gas pressure washer brands made in the U.S. and conveniently available online:
Related Resources: Pressure Washers with Honda Engine and CAT Pump (Electric & Gas), Cordless Tools Made in USA
| Made in USA Electric Pressure Washers | Made in USA Gas Pressure Washers |
|---|---|
| BE (1400-psi, 1.3-gpm) | Simpson (3200-psi, 2.5-gpm) |
| Mi-T-M (1500-psi, 2-gpm) | Generac (2900-psi, 2.4-gpm) |
| Cam Spray (1450-psi, 2-gpm) | Briggs & Stratton (3100-psi, 2.1-gpm) |
| BE (1500-psi, 1.6-gpm) | Husqvarna (3200-psi, 2.5-gpm) |
| Dayton (1400-psi, 1.5-gpm) | DeWalt (3200-psi, 2.8-gpm) |
| DeWalt (1500-psi, 1.8-gpm) | Craftsman (2800-psi, 2.3-gpm) |
| BE (220/460v, 3000-psi, 4.5-gpm) | Dayton Rotary (2500-psi, 3.5-gpm) |
| Cam Spray Diesel Hot Water (2500-psi, 3-gpm) | |
| Simpson (3400-psi, 2.5-gpm) | |
| Generac (3600-psi, 2.6-gpm) | |
| BE (2700-psi, 2.3-gpm) | |
| Delco (4000-psi, 4-gpm) | |
| Jenny (4000-psi, 3.5-gpm) | |
| Campbell Hausfeld (4000-psi, 3.5-gpm) | |
| Vortexx (4000-psi, 4-gpm) | |
| John Deere (4200-psi, 4.4-gpm) | |
| Brave (4000-psi, 3.5-gpm) | |
| Bandit (4000-psi, 4-gpm) | |
| Cub Cadet (3600-psi, 2.5-gpm) | |
| Phantom (3000-psi, 5-gpm) | |
| Stihl (2500-psi, 2.3-gpm) | |
| Alkota (1300-psi, 2-gpm) | |
| Chore Master (2700-psi, 2.3gpm) | |
| Ridgid (3000-psi, 2.6-gpm) |
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What to Consider Before Purchasing a Pressure Washer
The most important things to consider first are how many times you will use it and what type of cleaning you plan to use it for. Answering these questions will make it easier for you to determine the type and power of the pressure washer you need. For routine cleaning jobs outdoors, to the most difficult ones that require a little more than grease, a good pressure washer is quite useful.
How Are Pressure Washers Measured?
The cleaning power of a pressure washer is measured in pounds per square inch, PSI, gallons per minute, or GPM used by the pressure washer. This will determine the strength and volume of water the pressure washer produces and how fast it cleans.
When Buying Electric Pressure Washers for Home and Car Washing
For light domestic use such as washing the car, outdoor furniture, or small decks and patios, an electric pressure washer with a PSI classification of 1,300 to 1,900 and up to 1.5 GPM will be more than adequate for home and car washing. It would be better if you also consider compact, lightweight, with a variety of nozzles, a steel rod, and an onboard detergent package. The power cable should also have a built-in ground-fault circuit interrupter to prevent electrical shock. You can read more about electric pressure washers that won’t break the bank article here.
When Buying Gas Pressure Washers for Tough Applications
Look for a gas pressure washer with a capacity of 2,000 to 3,100 PSI and up to 2.5 GPM. Some other features you may want to consider when buying a gas pressure washer include a premium cam or valve engine, a heavy-duty frame with large wheels, and a professional-style steel spray wand with multiple spray tips. Gas-powered consumer models are designed for more frequent use. And offer greater cleaning power to tackle more extensive patios and decks, cladding, and other demanding applications. They also clean up to three times faster than most electric washers.
When Buying Professional Gas Pressure Washers for Everyday Commercial
The cleaning power of these models ranges from 3,200 to 4,200 PSI and up to 4 GPM. It would help if you considered professional gas engine pressure washers that feature a commercial-series engine and pump. This means a heavy-duty welded steel frame, heavy-duty tires, a solid steel axle, a professional-style wand with quick couplings, and various spray tips. Professional gas engine pressure washers are equipped with professional quality engines and pumps designed for daily commercial use in tough jobs such as paint removal, graffiti removal, and other industrial cleaning applications.
Related Resource: Zero-Turn Mower Made in USA
Learn How to Master Pressure Washers: Helpful Guide
Virtually any outdoor cleaning job will go faster with the help of a pressure washer, and you’ll get great results. A pressure washer involves a motor that drives a pump to increase the water’s pressure from the garden hose. As I mentioned earlier, the pressure is measured. The pounds per square inch or PSI, the higher the PSI shown on a pressure washer, the greater the force of the water it produces.
Understanding Pressure Washer Spray Nozzle Tips
This pressurized water is released through a wand. Different nozzle tips control the spraying; these tips are easily changed to what is needed for the work. The spray nozzle is measured in degrees; the higher the grade, the more comprehensive the spraying range. A 40-degree nozzle provides a wide range and is the right choice for cleaning smoother surfaces such as wood. The tips go all the way to the zero-degree nozzle, which can damage some surfaces but works well for tough stains on surfaces such as concrete and masonry. It is also ideal for removing weeds from cracks, driveways, and walkways.
All pressure washer nozzles are color-coded according to how hard the water hits the surface; the color coding can vary. Still, red is usually for a powerful flow down to white, usually the most expansive flow. There is a dedicated nozzle tip for applying detergents and degreasers. Nearly all pressure washers come with an injector that allows detergents or degreasers to be added to the spray. Always apply the cleaners at low pressure and let the solution work for about five or ten minutes before rinsing.
Related Resource: Do Pressure Washer Surface Cleaners Work?
Techniques for Washing Fences and Walls
When washing fences or walls, start at the top and work your way down to avoid scratches. When pressure spraying around delicate areas such as windows, light fixtures, or electrical outlets, spray from a radius of about three or four feet and keep the wand moving in a sweeping motion to avoid focusing on one area and damaging the surface.
Move the wand closer to a particular area if you need to increase the pressure. When you try to clean a high area, for example, rain gutters, use an extension wand; never spray the wand while on a ladder; the recoil can cause you to lose your balance. Read more about the safest way to clean gutters from the ground article here. You should always wear protective goggles while pressure washing and use gloves and protective clothing if you are applying chemicals.
Things You Need to Get Started with an Electric Pressure Washer
The most common items that you’ll need when using an electric pressure washer include an extension cord, garden hose, detergent, and safety goggles.
Things You Need to Get Started With a Gas Pressure Washer
And for the most common items you’ll need when using a gas-pressure washer include a gas can, oil, detergent, and safety goggles.
Simple Process to Start Pressure Washing
First, remove any delicate items from the areas you plan to pressure wash. Then, connect the sprayer and the pressure washer hose. After connecting the sprayer and hose, It’s essential to choose the right nozzle; usually, most pressure washers come with the following nozzle colors:
| Nozzle Color | Applications |
|---|---|
| RED | Used for very tough stains. |
| YELLOW | Used for concrete, brick, and stone. |
| GREEN | Used for siding and decks. |
| WHITE | Used for windows. |
| BLACK | Used to apply soap. |
After choosing the correct nozzle, the next step is to connect the garden hose to the pressure washer and then turn on the water and run the pressure washer. I recommend doing a test first to be comfortable with the pressure coming off the tip of the nozzle. Keep the tip of the nozzle 4-5 inches away when removing hard stains, and for an even cleaning, use the grid pattern.
Three Pressure Washer Accessories to Get You Started
With all the innovations in pressure washing increasing every year, cleaning your house or car has become easier than ever before. After researching, I came across these unique and cool accessories that will make your pressure washing task easy to complete. There are several accessories, but I will only suggest the following three additions to make it easier for you to start.
- The 6-IN-1 Power Care Changeover Nozzle
- EZ-Clean 15″ Surface Cleaner
- The G-Clean Injector
1. The 6-IN-1 Power Care Changeover Nozzle
Most pressure washers come with individual nozzles as standard. You use different types of nozzles for various applications. For example, you might use a zero-degree nozzle to remove gum from the inlet but then switch to a 40-degree nozzle with a broader spray pattern to clean the rest of the channel. So, in a standard pressure washer, this means that every time you want to change the spray patterns or switch from water to soap, you have to put on and remove the individual nozzles.
If you are urgent and don’t put the nozzle on correctly, it will shoot into your neighbor’s yard and be lost forever. As a solution, this 6-IN-1 nozzle is like the dial and sprayer you are used to using on your garden hose. You can turn it back and forth to the desired setting and don’t have to worry about losing individual nozzles; it works with all gas pressure washers up to 3300 psi.
2. EZ-Clean 15″ Surface Cleaner
This surface cleaner works by using two rotating nozzles that go at 1500 revolutions per minute for uniform and streak-free cleaning. The surface cleaner allows you to clean large horizontal surfaces such as driveways, patios, pools, and porches up to four times faster than a standard nozzle. A job that would typically take two hours now takes only 30 minutes. The EZ-Clean 15″ Surface Cleaner comes with its quick-connect universal coupler that attaches quickly and easily to most pressure washer spray wands.
3. The G-Clean Injector
Standard pressure washers use a low-pressure soap nozzle to spray lightly on the surface of most items. For example, wood, brick, concrete, and stucco are low, so the dirt stays below the surface. The problem with traditional subnozzles is that the detergent does not penetrate deep enough to remove dirt and grime. However, the G-Clean Injector uses bags of water-soluble detergent from your garden hose to create pressure and pushes the dirt it cleans into the surface’s pores.
This injector is very useful when applied in urgent and more difficult areas such as high gables or the second floor of a house. It is also safe for grass and pets, so you never have to worry about their runoff. The injector has a universal adjustment and works with all gas and electric pressure washers up to four thousand PSI.
Related Resources: Electric Pressure Washers (That Won’t Break the Bank), Here Are 8 Things You Can and Can’t Use a Foam Cannon With.
