Pressure washer that will draw from a bucket

[Ken_Code]

Can anyone recommend a washer that will draw from a bucket?

I’m considering the Ryobi One+, which is cordless too, but am not sure that it’s going to produce enough pressure for its main job of cleaning some sandstone and the patio.

Small and easy to carry through a house is a big benefit.

[Wildfire]

I have the Worx Hydro-shot and can confirm that it won't be powerful enough. I have a little Karcher K2 and the cordless one isn't anywhere near as powerful.

[OutInTheShed]

A powerful pressure washer will empty a bucket quite quickly!

I think most will draw from a bucket or other stored water, once primed.

I've known people put seawater through them for cleaning boats.

[Ganglandboss]

OutInTheShed said:

I've known people put seawater through them for cleaning boats.

Why would they do that?

[towser44]

Ganglandboss said:

OutInTheShed said:

I've known people put seawater through them for cleaning boats.

Why would they do that?

Lack of a clean water source I assume

[Mr Pointy]

There are three Ryobi pressure washers - the 18V 22Bar one, the 36v 41Bar one (older version?) & what seems to be a new 18v 41Bar model. I haven't seen any reviews of a cordless pressure washer of any brand where they compare favourably to a mains powered unit.

They seem fine to clean a bike off after a muddy ride but I think using them to clean paving will result in disappointment.

[Ken_Code]

Thanks for the replies, I think a corded one will be the way to go, so just need to find one compact and easy enough to carry back and forth through the house (out the garage, across the back garden, into the house, up the spiral stairs, through three doors and into the front garden…)

[Snow and Rocks]

I suspect anything powerful enough to make a meaningful difference to cleaning paving will empty a bucket in no time! Is there no way you can rig up a temporary hose?

[Fleckers]

I have the Ryobi unit, you can use from a bucket, a stream or a garden hose

its OK, but its not blast the crap off like a mains powered jet wash, ideal from a bit of grub removal but thats it, goes througha bucket of water very quick and the battery can just last enough to hose off a BMW X1 then rinse off same car after a good wash

[Cats_pyjamas]

I have a worx hydroshot also. I can also confirm, it's great for muddy bikes and cars. Not so for patios (I didn't buy it for that).

[Wildfire]

Ken_Code said:

Thanks for the replies, I think a corded one will be the way to go, so just need to find one compact and easy enough to carry back and forth through the house (out the garage, across the back garden, into the house, up the spiral stairs, through three doors and into the front garden…)

I have the K2 and it is very light and portable. I can't comment on longevity as it got use maybe one a month, but has lasted about 6-7 years now. I did borrow a bigger one K4 (I think) which had wheels and whilst it was better, it was a fair bit heavier and a could be a pain for you to haul about.

[Jeremy-75qq8]

I would have thought they would all work but some may not self prime.

[eltawater]

I have the Karcher K2 and have used it with a hose dropped into a large bucket / planter container.

It actually doesn't draw water as fast as you'd think it would as it's the pressure / spray action that does the agitation work for you on the paving and not the sheer volume of water needed like you would with a normal garden hose.

If you can get one with the circular patio attachments then that's even better as the spinning mechanism coupled with the concentration of water in a small area thanks to the dinner plate sized attachment does all the hard work for you.

The main downside I find with the K2 is the short cabling.

[Ken_Code]

Thanks, it looks like the K2 is the one to get. Any idea which lance is needed to screw on the bottles of detergent?

[eltawater]

Bottles of detergent are normally connected to a small hose on the back of the pressure washer body, unless you're planning to use the snow foam lance attachment (probably not what you want for the patio).

[Caddyshack]

Ganglandboss said:

OutInTheShed said:

I've known people put seawater through them for cleaning boats.

Why would they do that?

A lot of boats float in the sea...there tends to be a lot of sea water around them.

[dhutch]

Jeremy-75qq8 said:

I would have thought they would all work but some may not self prime.

Yeah as long as there is a enough head to get the pump body wet, and or run out of the end, should be ok. Just make sure the flow inst overly restricted.

I used mine running off the water butt a few times, and the drydock we put the boat on runs their 15hp machine off a bank of IBCs.

[TT86]

I have an old nilfisk C110. 13 years ago I set it up to run off a water tank. Juvenile me thought it would be handy to film it and place on YouTube! Worked really well. Nt sure if it will drawer from a bucket or not mind.
https://youtu.be/879F_XZLbTY?si=8eNiBPeRanl3JGfI

This was during a hosepipe ban to stay on the right side of the law.

The C110 is still going strong! Really do recommend them, picked up a new one as a gift recently for sub £90

[dhutch]

TT86 said:

I have an old nilfisk C110. 13 years ago I set it up to run off a water tank. Juvenile me thought it would be handy to film it and place on YouTube! Worked really well. Nt sure if it will drawer from a bucket or not mind.
https://youtu.be/879F_XZLbTY?si=8eNiBPeRanl3JGfI

This was during a hosepipe ban to stay on the right side of the law.

The C110 is still going strong! Really do recommend them, picked up a new one as a gift recently for sub £90

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